The Saeima ¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

On the Recognition of Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice

Section 1. The purpose of the Law is to, in conformity with Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, recognise the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice established within the scope of the United Nations.

Section 2. The Cabinet shall draw up the declaration specified in the Statute of the International Court of Justice and submit it to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Section 3. The declaration shall contain the following conditions for the restriction and implementation of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice:

1) reference to the continuity of the Republic of Latvia;

2) use of other binding means for international dispute settlement and priority of the dispute settlement mechanisms provided for in international agreements;

3) non-recognition of such compulsory jurisdiction which has been recognised by the applicant only for the settlement of the specific dispute;

4) time frames for the implementation of the jurisdiction;

5) protection of the national security interests in relation to the hosting of armed forces and sending thereof to foreign countries;

6) obligation of the applicant to inform the Republic of Latvia at least six months in advance of an intention to bring an action against it before the International Court of Justice;

7) right to withdraw the declaration or make amendments thereto at any time.

Section 4. Representation of the interests of Latvia before the International Court of Justice shall be exercised by a representative authorised by the Cabinet.

Section 5. The coordinating institution in matters related to the International Court of Justice shall be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Law shall come into force on the day following its proclamation.

The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 30 November 2017.

President R. Vējonis

Rīga, 19 December 2017

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2022 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)