Latvia faces judge shortage, hardest hit in Latgale
A shortage of judges affects courts across Latvia, but the Latgale district court is hit hardest, with roughly a third of its judicial posts currently vacant. The Judicial Council has yet to find a solution to the problem.
A shortage of judges has become one of the pressing issues facing Latvia's judicial system. Vacancies are being reported nationwide, but the severity varies by region — with Latgale currently recording the highest number of unfilled positions.
Latgale district court hit hardest
At present, roughly a third of all judicial posts at the Latgale district court remain unfilled. This means the region's court system is operating with significantly fewer staff than intended.
Situation likely to worsen
The number of vacant positions is expected to keep rising in the coming years, as a number of currently serving judges approach retirement age. Without new judges stepping in to fill the departing posts, the existing shortfall could deepen further.
Latgale hardest region to recruit for
Of all Latvia's regions, Latgale is proving the most difficult when it comes to attracting new judges. The Judicial Council, which oversees matters related to the functioning of the court system, has so far not identified a clear solution to ensure the region's courts are staffed with a sufficient number of judges.
The shortage raises concerns that court proceedings in the regions could slow down, as the judges currently in post are forced to handle a heavier caseload than they would under full staffing.
