Legal assistance provided by the State in the Constitutional Court proceedings, civil matters and administrative matters of a specified type may be received by a person who:

• has acquired the status of a disadvantaged or poor person
• suddenly in a situation and in a material condition which prevents the safeguarding of their rights (due to natural misfortunes, force majeure or other circumstances independent of the person)
• are full dependants of the State or local government.

In cases of civil proceedings of a particular type of lawyer provided by the State (regarding the invalidation of decisions of a meeting of shareholders or shareholders of capital companies and resulting from the right of liability, if the amount of the claim exceeds EUR 150000, and the protection of commercial secrets against unlawful acquisition, exploitation and disclosure), persons may receive:

• the level of income of which does not exceed the national minimum monthly salary;
• State of ownership eligible for legal aid.

1. In the constitutional court proceedings of a person, after whom the Constitutional Court has taken a decision regarding refusal to initiate a case, stating, as the sole basis of this decision, the absence of legal grounds or the apparent deficiency thereof for the satisfaction of the claim;

2. In civil matters (except where the case relates to customs or tax matters, it relates to a claim for defamation and respect, it relates to a claim directly related to the economic activity or commercial activity of a person or to an independent professional activity, etc.);

3. In administrative matters:

redress procedures in the framework of the asylum process;

the appeal of the decision on the posted exit order or the decision on the contested decision on forced removal;

within the scope of appeal of the decision of the Orphan's Court regarding the protection of the rights and legal interests of the child;

in administrative cases in a court where courts (a judge) have taken a decision regarding the granting of legal aid provided by the State, taking into account the complexity of the case and the property situation of a natural person.

In cases of civil proceedings of a particular type of lawyer provided by the State, the recognition of decisions of a meeting of shareholders or shareholders of capital companies as null and void resulting from the right of liability, if the amount of the claim exceeds EUR 150000, and the protection of commercial secrets against unlawful acquisition, exploitation and disclosure may be obtained by persons:

• the level of income of which does not exceed the national minimum monthly salary;
• position of ownership appropriate for receiving legal aid.

In criminal matters - for the provision of defence and representation, persons shall refer to the person directing the proceedings (investigator, prosecutor or judge) in cases and procedures specified in the Criminal Procedure Law.

In order to receive legal assistance provided by the State in the Constitutional Court proceedings, civil matters and administrative cases of a specified type (within the framework of appeal of the decision of the Orphan's Court regarding the protection of the rights and legal interests of the child) must:

• to complete a request for legal assistance provided by the State of application form;

• a copy of the document certifying the right to apply for legal aid, such as a statement of poor or disadvantaged status;
• copies of documents relating to the nature of the dispute, the proceedings, etc.

To complete the request form may submit:

• when signed securely  electronic signature when sending it to  e-address or to pasts@jpa.gov.lv;
• on-site the Legal Aid Administration;
• by post to the Legal Aid Administration.

The Legal Aid Administration shall:

• In constitutional court proceedings;
• civil matters;
• in certain types of administrative matters (within the scope of appeal of the decision of the Orphan's Court regarding the protection of the rights and legal interests of the child);

the application shall be examined and the decision shall be taken within a period of 21 days, but in cases affecting the rights of children within a period of 14 days from the day on which the application was received.

A specific type of lawyer in civil proceedings cases in which the partial legal assistance provided by the State is to be provided shall be examined and a decision shall be taken within a period of one month from the date on which the application has been received.

The decision granting legal aid provided by the State shall specify:

• the amount of legal aid granted (scope of consultation, documents and volume of representation in court), the date of the civil proceedings of lawyers, by which the contribution of the determined amount is to be made;
• the name and contact of the designated legal aid provider to which the person is to appear;
• date of the consultation and time of arrival of the legal aid provider.

In the event of unjustified denial of market access in the European Union, there is a right to use SOLVIT network to address internal market problems.

Most often SOLVIT is used to challenge the restrictions imposed by authorities in other EU Member States on the free movement of goods and services, decisions on the non-issue of residence permits, non-payment of social benefits, non-recognition of professional qualifications, etc.

What is SOLVIT?

The European Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, has set up an EU internal market problem-solving network for SOLVIT in order to avoid immediate restrictions on EU law for businesses and citizens.

SOLVIT can help citizens and entrepreneurs to address the problems of misapplication of EU law by the national authorities of other EU Member States. SOLVIT operates in the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

But SOLVIT is not true! Since the national decisions of SOLVIT centres have a deterrent nature, the Centre can only point to the erroneous behaviour of another national authority and try to convince the institution concerned of the correct behaviour. However, if the institution does not want to admit the error or follow the instructions of SOLVIT, the applicant for the SOLVIT case should refer to the court immediately.

When SOLVIT can help you?

SOLVIT can help:

• cross-border disputes;
• where the dispute arises as a result of incorrect application of EU law and relates to the decision or action taken by the national authority.

SOLVIT cannot help:

• cases in which legal proceedings have been initiated;
• disputes arising between undertakings or consumers;
• in disputes resulting from EU institutions.

How do I complain to SOLVIT?

SOLVIT can file a complaint by filling in form of application website solvit.eu.

Before submitting a complaint to the SOLVIT centre, the applicant must verify:

• Or a problem with the other EU Member State authorities, due to their activities?
• Have and what EU law rules been infringed?

In the case of questions regarding the operation of SOLVIT or the completion of an application, you may refer to the Latvian SOLVIT Centre by writing to e-mail solvit@em.gov.lv.

Procedures for Requesting Legal Aid

Legal aid in criminal proceedings

Legal aid in complex administrative cases in court

Legal aid in the field of asylum

Legal aid for returnees

Legal Aid Administration by-law

Legal aid in Constitutional Court proceedings

State Ensured Legal Aid Law

The Legal Aid Administration (LAA)

Receipt of child support

Services for Ukrainian civilians