In Latvia, the website https://latvija.gov.lv is generally used as an online tool for the obtaining of various services by the Latvian authorities, both state and municipal. In essence it functions as a digital tool through which it is possible to electronically fill in specific forms and communicate with the respective authorities in a wide area of matters – social services (e.g., disability services, social paybacks, social security etc.), family (e.g., adoption, birth, marriage, death etc.), entrepreneurship, finances & taxes, housing & environment, culture, sports, tourism, different rights, education, consular services, health, transport and others. Most of the services are available for natural persons, however, there are services that are also available for legal persons. The aim of the portal is to ensure quick and convenient access to the services provided by Latvian State institutions and municipalities. On the portal it is possible either to find guidance on requirements (forms, documents, payments, terms etc.) and administrative procedures in order to receive public and municipal services or to start a service electronically, if it’s is offered online. The portal is managed by the State Regional Development Agency.
In addition to the https://latvija.gov.lv portal, certain state institutions have their own online service tools (e.g., in the field of online auctions), i.e. information on companies is provided by the Latvian Enterprise Register. Generally in the field of justice and in addition to the https://latvija.gov.lv portal, online services are kept by the Courts’ administration (Tiesu administracija), an institution of direct administration subordinate to the Ministry of Justice, which organizes and ensures the administrative work of district (city) courts and regional courts.
Purpose and scope: Through the website https://latvija.gov.lv it is possible to electronically request state provided legal aid. The request may be submitted electronically via https://latvija.gov.lv to the Legal Aid Administration of Latvia.
Competent authority: the Legal Aid Administration of Latvia
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: Legal aid is granted by the Legal Aid Administration of Latvia provided that a number of conditions are met – e.g., social status, force majeure situation etc.
- Identification and authentication requirements: On the portal https://www.latvija.lv/lv/Epakalpojumi/EP119/Apraksts where the e-service is available, it is possible to authenticate with several authentication tools: eID, eParaksts, eParaksts mobile, internet bank. Moreover, only documents signed with an e-signature can be submitted.
- Documents to be provided: An online application through the https://latvija.gov.lv website; a copy of a document certifying the right to seek legal aid; copies of documents related to the nature of the dispute, the progress of the case, etc.
Legal effects of electronic document: N/A
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: Only for completing the request procedure itself.
Cost: The online service itself is free of charge.
Link:
https://latvija.lv/PPK/dzives-situacija/apakssituacija/p659/ProcesaApraksts
Purpose and scope: It is possible to introduce claims for damages online via the initiation of a civil case online (see relevant section below). In addition to sending the claim, including enclosures, via e-mail to the respective court having jurisdiction in the matter, a separate online service exists where such claims, including consumer claims, can be introduced online – https://www.elieta.lv.
Competent authority: The respective court having jurisdiction in the matter or https://www.elieta.lv
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: None.
- Identification and authentication requirements: The claim, including its enclosures, must be signed electronically if sent to the court via electronic means; logging onto the portal https://www.elieta.lv via electronic identification.
- Documents to be provided: Application to the court (statement of claim), and its enclosures.
Legal effects of electronic document: N/A
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: Yes, via e-mail or at https://www.elieta.lv.
Cost: The online service (sending of the claim to the court’s e-mail or filing it via https://www.elieta.lv) is free of charge. State fees may apply for the filing of the claim per se.
Link:
No specific link exists. For the electronic filing of a claim the respective court’s e-mail address must be used. See also https://www.elieta.lv for the recently introduced online platform. See also here.
Purpose and scope: It is possible to initiate a civil case through electronic means, i.e. by sending the claim via e-mail, including its enclosures, to the respective court having jurisdiction in the matter. The claim and enclosures must be signed electronically. In addition to the sending of the claim to the respective court, a separate online service exists where civil claims can be introduced online – https://www.elieta.lv . This e-service was introduced in late 2021 to allow electronic communication with courts and other institutions (inter alia also to allow initiation of civil cases through this platform).
Competent authority: The respective court having jurisdiction in the matter or https://www.elieta.lv.
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: None.
- Identification and authentication requirements: The claim, including its enclosures, must be signed electronically if sent to the court via electronic means; logging onto the portal https://www.elieta.lv via electronic identification.
- Documents to be provided: Application to the court (statement of claim), and its enclosures.
Legal effects of electronic document: N/A
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: Yes, via e-mail or at https://www.elieta.lv.
Cost: The online service (sending of the claim to the court’s e-mail) is free of charge. State fees may apply for the filing of the claim per se.
Link:
No specific link exists. For the electronic filing of a claim the respective court’s e-mail address must be used. See also https://www.elieta.lv for the recently introduced online platform. See also here.
Purpose and scope: Judicial documents are sent to a lawyer, a notary, a bailiff, or a central or local government body through electronic mail. Judicial documents drawn up by the court and other documents drawn up electronically will be notified to a lawyer by the court via a specific online system administered by the Courts’ administration (Tiesu administracija), an institution of direct administration subordinate to the Minister of Justice, which organizes and ensures the administrative work of district (city) courts and regional courts. Such documents will be notified to a notary, a bailiff, or a central or local government body by electronic mail, unless they have informed the court that they are registered in the online system.
As to service of documents to parties, judicial documents are delivered by electronic mail only if a party to the proceedings has informed the court that they agree to the use of electronic mail for correspondence with the court. The documents are sent to the electronic mail address indicated by the party. If the court finds that there are technical obstacles to the delivery of judicial documents by electronic mail, the documents will be delivered by one of the other available methods. In addition to the service of documents via e-mail, a separate online service exists where court documents are available online – https://www.elieta.lv. This e-service was introduced in late 2021 to allow electronic communication with courts and other institutions (inter alia also to allow initiation of civil cases through this platform).
Competent authority: The Courts’ administration (Tiesu administracija) / competent court / the Ministry of Justice
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: Parties must consent to electronic transmission.
- Identification and authentication requirements: a party to the proceedings must inform the court that it agrees to the use of electronic mail for correspondence with the court. This will usually happen when the proceedings are initiated. Lawyers must register with the specific online system to receive court documents online; logging onto the portal https://www.elieta.lv via electronic identification.
- Documents to be provided: Parties must provide a simple consent to receive judicial documents electronically. This can be done in writing (also electronically) together with the submission of documents to the court.
Legal effects of electronic document: Once received and approved, the consent allows the judicial authorities to electronically transmit notices, receipts and summonses.
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: A party may submit its consent online via e-mail to the respective institution by sending an electronically signed application / court document, e.g., a response to the claim, that inter alia indicates a party’s consent to electronic transmission of documents. No separate online procedure exists for this service. Once the consent is received and approved, all notices, receipts and summonses of the users’ cases will be sent to the party electronically.
Cost: The service is free
Link:
Electronic service of judicial documents is done directly by the court to the respective party’s (its’ representative’s) e-mail address or via the portal https://www.elieta.lv. Judicial documents sent to a lawyer are currently still available at an online system at https://manas.tiesas.lv/eTiesasMvc/lv/Account/Login, however it is expected that this platform will be substituted with a respective tool on the platform http://www.elieta.lv.
More information on the electronic transmission of legal documents in Latvia is available on the EJN’s factsheet on official transmission of legal documents.
Participation in judicial auctions in Latvia is possible through the e-auction site, administered by the Courts’ administration (Tiesu administracija), an institution of direct administration subordinate to the Minister of Justice, which organizes and ensures the administrative work of district (city) courts and regional courts.
Purpose and scope: The electronic auction site has been operating since July 1, 2015 and successfully provides auction placement, registration of auction participants, accumulation of information about registered auction participants, authorization of registered auction participants to participate in the announced auction, as well as a technological toolkit for making and registering bids.
Competent authority: The Courts’ administration (Tiesu administracija) and court bailiffs (https://www.lzti.lv/)
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements:
All auctions are accessible to anyone, but only registered users may participate in online auctions.
- Identification and authentication requirements:
Persons that wish to participate in online auctions must register on the https://izsoles.ta.gov.lv/ site. Authentication is possible through https://latvija.gov.lv (eID, electronic signature on internet banking) or by means of a user name and password. A registered user may ask a bailiff to authorize them to participate in an auction (in their own name or on behalf of another natural or legal person).
- Documents to be provided:
Natural persons registering on https://izsoles.ta.gov.lv/ must only make authentication through one of the possible means. Although registration is a mandatory precondition for participating in the auction, it does not impose a mandatory obligation to participate in the auction. In case a person represents a legal entity, in addition to making authentication through one of the possible means, it is necessary to submit a power of attorney to a court bailiff.
Legal effects of electronic document: Following the auction, the system generates an auction deed, which is received by the bailiff who conducted the auction. The auction deed is valid without a signature. The bailiff shall send the auction deed to the bidder using the messaging available on the e-auction site. Further actions are regulated by the Latvian Civil Procedure Law.
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: Yes.
Cost: The service is free. If a person registers for an auction, a deposit for participation must be paid.
Link:
Link to the service available at https://izsoles.ta.gov.lv/.
More information available here:
https://likumi.lv/ta/id/274951-elektronisko-izsolu-vietnes-noteikumi
There is no central or governmental body in Latvia responsible for the regulation of the profession of mediator. Mediation services are provided by mediators in many areas, including civil, social and commercial matters. There are no restrictions to provide online mediation services, however these cannot be considered online public services.
More information on mediation services in Latvia is available on the e-Justice Portal section about mediation in EU countries, and on these sites:
Company formation, registration of changes, insolvency proceedings, termination
Purpose and scope: The Register of Enterprises provides for different e-services which are used for the registration of a specific application. Applications are made on the portal https://www.latvija.lv/. One of the specific e-services is also company formation. Others include, e.g., registration of a legal fact, registration of changes in the register, insolvency proceedings, liquidation or termination of a legal fact etc. Only natural persons can currently authenticate with the e-service on the https://www.latvija.lv portal. If the person is authenticated as a legal entity, then the e-service will not be available.
Competent authority: Register of Enterprises / State Regional Development Agency that oversees the operation of the https://www.latvija.lv portal
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: All natural and legal persons wishing to register a company. If the person is authenticated as a legal entity, then the e-service will not be available.
- Identification and authentication requirements: On the portal https://www.latvija.lv/lv/Epakalpojumi/EP119/Apraksts where the e-service is available, it is possible to authenticate with several authentication tools: eID, eParaksts, eParaksts mobile, internet bank. Moreover, only documents signed with an e-signature can be submitted.
- Documents to be provided: Depends on the e-service requested.
Legal effects of electronic document: N/A
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: Yes.
Cost: The service itself, i.e., using of the https://www.latvija.lv portal is free, however, for each specific service (formation of a company, registering of changes etc.) a specific state fee must be paid.
Link: https://latvija.lv/lv/Epakalpojumi/EP119/Apraksts
More information how to register in the registers kept by the Register of Enterprises is available here.
Access to information on companies
Purpose and scope: The objective of this service is to obtain information on companies, current and historical data on board members, shareholders, information on finances, taxes, encumbrances etc. The Register of Enterprises has a publicly available register available here. However, some private companies also provide similar services.
Competent authority: The Latvian Register of Enterprises.
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: None. Available publicly to all.
- Identification and authentication requirements: None (to receive basic information) or to registered users (to receive more detailed information).
- Documents to be provided: N/A
Legal effects of electronic document: N/A
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: N/A
Cost: Free
Purpose and scope: The objective of this service is to provide translation services to private parties as well as governmental bodies. Private persons are free to use machine translation services at https://hugo.lv/en kept by the Culture Information Systems Centre, whereas as translation services for governmental bodies are provided by the State Language Centre - https://vvc.gov.lv/index.php?route=common/home
Competent authority: the Culture Information Systems Centre and the State Language Centre
Conditions of access:
- Eligibility requirements: None. Available publicly to all (https://hugo.lv/en). THe official translation services provided by the State Language Centre is available to governmental bodies.
- Identification and authentication requirements: None
- Documents to be provided: N/A
Legal effects of electronic document: N/A
Possibility to complete the procedure fully online: N/A
Cost: N/A
Links: