In Latvia, many believe that achieving justice without money and expensive lawyers is nearly impossible. Ombudsman Karina Palkova acknowledges the existence of such distrust but emphasizes that the state must ensure access to rights protection regardless of a person's financial situation.
The question of whether a person without money can achieve justice in Latvia was raised on the air of TV24 and touched upon one of the most painful topics for society — trust in the judicial system and the feeling of equality before the law.
As reported by nra.lv, Ombudsman Karina Palkova acknowledged that many residents indeed believe that large sums of money and expensive lawyers can significantly influence the outcome of a case.
According to her, she regularly encounters such sentiments in her work.
“Everyone must fight for themselves, and it is in everyone’s hands — how strongly we want to defend our rights,” Palkova stated.
She emphasized that the state's duty is not only to formally ensure access to the court but also to create a system where justice truly works in practice.
The Ombudsman admitted that it is impossible to completely eliminate cases of injustice; however, she believes it is important for people not to remain silent about such situations.
“If it exists, then, without a doubt, it should be reported both to the police and to the Ombudsman’s Bureau,” Palkova said.
At the same time, she called the existence of a state legal aid system in Latvia an important achievement. Currently, such assistance is not available to all residents but only to certain groups of the population — for example, people with low incomes or in specific categories of cases.
The topic of access to justice has regularly sparked discussions in Latvia in recent years. Many residents complain about the high cost of lawyers, the length of court proceedings, and the complexity of legal procedures.
Against this backdrop, the issue of trust in the system becomes particularly sensitive — especially for people who cannot afford expensive representation.
Palkova also emphasized that justice is enshrined in the Satversme — the Constitution of Latvia — and must remain a fundamental principle of the state.
The Ombudsman’s statements came amid ongoing public discussions about the accessibility of public services, the functioning of the courts, and the level of trust in government institutions.
In the Ombudsman’s opinion, a person's financial situation should not determine their chances of defending their rights and obtaining a fair decision.
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