General frameworks

The chapter deals with the overview of the historical development of the law in the territories historically inhabited by Latvians as well as the development of the legal arrangement starting with the German and Russian influence, proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, then the occupation by the USSR, and finally the restoration of Latvia's independence de facto in 1990. The chapter also gives brief information about Latvian judicial system, main institutions for implementation of justice and basic functions of judicial bodies and administrative authorities. It provides overview on the status and normative regulation for the application of the international law as well as the European Union law. Finally, the chapter stresses the future possible challenges for the legal arrangement for example, the enlargement of the EU and the protection of the inviolable core of the Constitution at the same time, the increasing role of the judiciary and the elevated required qualities for the judges in the contemporary legal arrangement, increasingly important role of the communication with the society through the mass media and the quality of its content, the influence of the terrorism on the human rights, and regulatory frameworks for the modern technologies.