Uzticība tiesu varai pēc Latvijas Republikas neatkarības atjaunošanas. Tendences un secinājumi

This research examines the dynamics of public trust in the judiciary in Latvia after the restoration of independence. The study highlights that trust in the judiciary has been consistently discussed in a predominantly negative context, with concerns about low institutional prestige and widespread public distrust. The research identifies key factors influencing trust, including material and technical resources, perceptions of corruption, and ethical self-regulation mechanisms developed and implemented to address these concerns. While significant progress has been made – such as improved judicial infrastructure, salary reforms, and the establishment of self-regulation bodies like the Judicial Ethics Commission and the Council for the Judiciary – public trust remains relatively low. Despite declining perceptions of corruption, there is no clear correlation between these improvements and increased trust in the judiciary. The author suggests that low trust levels persist due to broader societal distrust in political institutions and entrenched collective memory, which shapes public perception independently of objective improvements. The findings indicate that restoring trust in the judiciary requires addressing these deeper socio-political factors rather than solely improving judicial operations.