FDFA/FDEA - Projekt Detailansicht

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Modernisation of courts

The number and complexity of court proceedings in Latvia is increasing while courts are not equipped with the necessary new technologies to meet adequately the demands placed on them. The Project aims to improve the capacity and the quality of the judiciary. New communication technologies (audio, video conference, internet) and more efficient court procedures will contribute to reaching this goal.

Theme/Focus Area

Security/ Stability/ Reforms
Modernisation of the Judiciary

Target Group

Courts, prisons and (potential) litigants (citizens, private and public sector)

Context

The increasing number of court proceedings and the demand for cost-cutting measures for the judiciary have created the need to modernise all Latvian courts and prisons, i.e. raise the efficiency of court management and update court infrastructure and technology. Today, due to limited financial resources, Latvian courts and prisons lack, among other things, audio and video equipment. Court records are still made only in written form – at high cost in terms of time and human resources. Witnesses must always travel to the place of the proceeding to give evidence rather that appear at their nearest court. Furthermore, every year it is necessary to transport in convoys approximately 7,000-8,000 convicted persons or detainees from prison to court, at high cost.

The aim of this project is to raise the quality and efficiency of the Latvian juidiary. The project will be implemented by the Court Administration (CA), which is responsible for human resources, financial matters, IT solutions and technical equipment with respect to all Latvian courts.

Goals

The project is intended to increase the capacity and the quality of the judiciary and to enhance access to it through the use of new technologies (video, audio, internet), the implementation of e-justice measures and improved court management.

Activities

All Latvian courts and prisons receive video conference equipment; the courts are equipped with audio recording devices; research is being done to develop more effective court procedures at reduced costs; new information technologies (internet, e-justice activities) enhance citizens' access to judiciary.

Results

Expected results are:

All courts are provided with sound recording (audio) equipment, and all courts and prisons are provided with video conference equipment;
Court management is improved and more cost efficient; court proceedings are more efficient and reliable;
Civil society and the private sector have more direct access to information about the judiciary (via e-justice services, internet).