Ministry of Justice awards presented

On Wednesday, 16 November, on the eve of the national holiday and the 104th anniversary of the Ministry of Justice, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns and State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Mihails Papsujevičs presented awards from the Ministry of Justice to employees of the justice sector for their significant contribution to the development of Latvia’s legal system, as well as a Certificate of Commendation from the Cabinet of Ministers and the Minister of Justice’s Innovation Award.

The Cabinet of Ministers’ Certificate of Commendation was presented to Sanita Armaga, Director of the State Law Department of the Ministry of Justice, for her invaluable contribution to the development of the legal framework for overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, the Awards Council of the Ministry of Justice decided to honour 118 outstanding colleagues in the justice system by presenting them with Ministry of Justice awards—Certificates of Commendation of the first and second degrees, Certificates of Honour and Letters of Appreciation.  Information about the award recipients is available here—https://www.tm.gov.lv/lv/tieslietu-ministrijas-apbalvojumi-2022.

As M. Papsujevičs notes: “We can be proud of our colleagues who, in circumstances that are difficult not only for Latvia but for the entire world, are able to perform their work excellently and creatively, and, through their enthusiasm, accomplish tasks that initially seem impossible! I am proud of all employees of the justice system, because each employee’s contribution makes our country more lawful and safer!”

During the ceremony, J. Bordāns also presented the Minister of Justice’s award “Innovation for a Lawful Latvia”, which was established in 2013 and is presented once a year in recognition of a justice system employee’s creative contribution to improving the efficiency of the justice system. This year, the award “Innovation for a Lawful Latvia” was presented for the tenth time, and it was received by Guna Paidere, Chief State Notary of the Register of Enterprises, for the invaluable contribution of the team she leads to resolving issues related to the application of sanctions.

Describing the recipient of the Innovation Award and her creative contribution, J. Bordāns notes that the Register of Enterprises had already faced challenges in its work in previous years, when it was necessary to ensure the availability of accurate and up-to-date information about the beneficial owners of companies in order to curb money laundering. “This year, the challenge for the Register of Enterprises was the war that no one expected. Perhaps no one imagined that we would have to take part in it. But we are participating by supporting Ukraine and all the countries of the world in the fight against the war, as well as by imposing sanctions on those who have caused and facilitated war crimes, murders and torture. The team of the Register of Enterprises, under the leadership of Guna Paidere, promptly began and completed the work of practically implementing the imposed sanctions,” the Minister of Justice emphasises.

Photos from the event are available on the Ministry of Justice website.