The Minister of Justice of Latvia Underlines the Importance of an Efficient Enforcement System

The Latvian liberal judicial officers celebrated their 10th anniversary in presence of Jānis Bordāns, Minister of Justice of Latvia with an international conference under the theme “The judicial officers' profession, its content, meaning and the future development of the profession”. About 180 participants joined the conference, among them representatives from various countries such as Belarus, Belgium, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Moldova and the Netherlands. The UIHJ was represented by its President, Leo Netten, its First-President, Bernard Menut, one board member, Marc Schmitz, and its 1st Secretary, Jos Uitdehaag.

In his opening speech the Minister of Justice underlined the important role enforcement agents have in society. A good system of enforcement deserves an adequate renummeration, according to the Minister. Enforcement agents should be well rewarded for their responsible work. With regard to the future of the profession, the Minister invited the Latvian Chamber of Enforcement Agents to jointly look for solutions and set priorities.

Ginters Hmelevskis, chairman of the Council of Judicial Officers of Latvia, welcomed all the participants coming from several countries. He expressed his thanks both to the Minister of Justice of Latvia for attending the event and delivering an opening speech and the UIHJ for their constant support to the Latvian judicial officers.

Ēriks Kalnmeiers, Prosecutor General of Latvia, informed the audience that he was surprised by the high volume of cases (544,000) and the efficient way Latvian enforcement agents were dealing with those cases.

Leo Netten congratulated his Latvian colleagues on their 10th anniversary and their ability, willingness and motivation during these years to set up a professional organization and a well respected profession within society. The development of highly trained independent professionals in charge of enforcing court decisions is top priority for the UIHJ. “Ensuring that our profession is strong and perennial through the harmonisation and development of its activities - including new activities and those relating to new technologies - is another main goal of our organisation” said the UIHJ president.

The future of the enforcement agent was the main theme of the conference. In this respect the various speakers focused on the role of IT and internet in enforcement, the role of the enforcement agent with regard to solving a financial crisis, the new activities of the future enforcement agent, such as mediation and debt rescheduling and the role of courts with regard to enforcement activities and the monitoring of those activities.

In particular, Bernard Menut presented the enforcement agent as a key player for e-Justice. Jos Uitdehaag mentioned which new activities could be carried out by judicial officers. Marc Schmitz presented the Stobra 1 project of the Council of European Presidents of the UIHJ on “Harmonizing enforcement procedures on immovable property in Europe”.

Khatia Shelia, head of the Legal Office of the National Bureau of Enforcement of Georgia, focused on professional enforcement issues in Georgia, problems and strategy for solutions. Arthur Parfenchikov, Director of the Federal Bailiffs' Service, Chief Bailiff of the Russian Federation, evoked the Russian judicial officer, his present status and the future of the profession. Aleksandras Selezniovas, chairman of the National chamber of judicial officers of Lithuania, presented the profession in his country.

Janis Stepanovs, Deputy Chairman of the Council of judicial officers of Latvia, made an insight into the development of the judicial officers' profession in Latvia. Daina Ose, legal adviser of the Legal Bureau of the Parliament of Latvia, lecturer of the University of Latvia, gave a presentation of the service of documents. Finally Daiga Vilsone, Judge of Riga Regional Court, lectured on the Court's role in the supervision of judicial officers' activities.