Our Practice Areas

The construction process is one of the most legally complex processes. At every stage, from the initial concept to commissioning, there is a risk of making a mistake, missing a deadline, or becoming involved in a dispute. We help clients anticipate and prevent these risks and, in the event of a dispute, protect their interests before public authorities and in court.

We advise clients, builders, subcontractors, and designers on all legal matters related to the construction process, from implementing a construction proposal to commissioning the property.

The law firm provides daily assistance with:

Construction contracts. We draft and review construction, design, and construction supervision contracts, including provisions on deadlines, warranties, liability for defects, contractual penalties, insurance, warranty works, and payment terms. We help protect the client at the contract negotiation stage, rather than only after a dispute has arisen.

Administrative matters. We prepare submissions to building authorities and other public authorities, advise on building permits, approval of construction proposals and applicable conditions, and contest and appeal administrative acts issued by building authorities and other public authorities.

Construction disputes. We resolve disputes between clients, general contractors, subcontractors, builders, and designers concerning completion deadlines, defects, additional works, payments, and contractual penalties. Where possible, we reach a solution through negotiations or settlement; where necessary, we represent clients in court.

Representation. We represent clients before state and municipal authorities, as well as before courts of all instances in civil and administrative proceedings.

Practical approach:

We begin by assessing the situation and providing a clear opinion on the client’s legal position and available options. We then propose a practical course of action, whether it involves drafting a contract, contesting a decision issued by a public authority, or representing the client in a dispute. In all cases, we first assess whether the matter can be resolved more quickly and cost-effectively out of court.

Latvian legal framework

Construction matters in Latvia are governed by the Construction Law, the General Construction Regulations (Cabinet Regulation No. 500), and the relevant special construction regulations, while contractual relationships are governed by the Civil Law. The contesting and appeal of administrative acts are governed by the Administrative Procedure Law, subject to the deadlines established therein, failure to comply with which may result in the loss of further rights.

A real estate transaction is often one of the most significant financial steps in the life of an individual or a company. For this reason, an error in a contract, an undiscovered encumbrance, or a boundary dispute can be costly. We help clients prepare transactions securely and, in the event of a dispute, protect their property rights before public authorities and in court.

We provide legal assistance in all matters relating to real estate, including the acquisition, disposal, use, and management of property, as well as apartment ownership matters. Where necessary, we engage specialists who provide property valuations or opinions regarding the actual condition of a property.

The law firm provides daily assistance with:

Legal due diligence. Before a transaction, we examine the legal status of the property, including Land Register entries, encumbrances, easements, mortgages, prohibitions, and other risks that may affect the security of the transaction or the value of the property. This is the simplest and least expensive stage at which to prevent problems — before signing the contract rather than afterwards.

Contracts and legal documents. We draft and review purchase, exchange, donation, lease, maintenance, and other contracts, as well as other documents required for a transaction, including provisions governing payment, the transfer of rights, and the allocation of risks.

Easements and encumbrances. We advise on the establishment, amendment, or termination of easements, including rights of way, utility easements, and other easements. We assist in preparing the relevant documents and resolve disputes concerning the scope and use of encumbrances.

Administrative matters. We prepare submissions to state and municipal authorities and contest and appeal decisions affecting the client’s property rights.

Property disputes. We resolve disputes concerning the termination of joint ownership, arrangements for the use of jointly owned property, rights to property, and other real estate matters through negotiations, settlement, or court proceedings.

Representation. We represent clients before state and municipal authorities and before courts of all instances.

Practical approach:

We begin by assessing the property and the circumstances in order to clearly identify the client’s legal position and potential risks. In transactions, our objective is to protect the client at the preparatory stage, as a properly drafted contract prevents most subsequent disputes. Where a dispute has already arisen, we first consider a faster out-of-court solution and proceed to court only where necessary.

Latvian legal framework

Real estate law in Latvia is primarily governed by the Civil Law, particularly its sections on property law and the law of obligations, including provisions concerning ownership, easements, joint ownership, and transactions. Property rights and encumbrances are registered in the Land Register in accordance with the Land Register Law, while the management of apartment properties and jointly owned property is governed by the Apartment Property Law and the Residential Property Management Law. The contesting of administrative acts is governed by the Administrative Procedure Law, subject to the deadlines established therein.

An easement is the right of one neighbouring property owner to use another person’s property in a specified manner — for example, to travel along a road, install utility infrastructure, or obtain water. In practice, easements frequently become a source of prolonged disputes between neighbours because the extent of the rights and precisely what they include may be unclear. We help establish easements correctly, define their scope precisely, and, where necessary, defend or challenge them in court.

We advise both owners of dominant properties who require an easement and owners of servient properties whose property is encumbered by an easement.

The law firm provides daily assistance with:

Establishment of an easement. We advise on the most appropriate method of establishing an easement — by agreement, will, court proceedings, or in cases provided for by law. We draft easement agreements that clearly define the scope of the rights, the conditions of use, the allocation of maintenance costs, and, where applicable, compensation. We assist with registering the easement in the Land Register.

Determining the scope of an easement. Most disputes arise because an easement has been defined too generally. We help specify precisely what is and is not permitted under the easement — for example, in the case of a right-of-way easement, its width, purpose, and intensity of use.

Amendment and termination of an easement. We advise on amending an easement where circumstances have changed and on terminating an easement by agreement, due to the loss of its purpose, following the merger of properties, or in other cases provided for by law. We prepare the necessary documents and make the relevant amendments in the Land Register.

Easement disputes. We resolve disputes concerning the existence, scope, method of use, and maintenance costs of easements through negotiations, settlement, or court proceedings. We represent both parties seeking to protect their easement rights and parties who consider an easement to be unjustified or excessive.

Practical approach:

We begin by assessing the legal status of the property and the actual circumstances, including Land Register entries, plans, and previous use. Where an easement has yet to be established, our objective is to define it with sufficient clarity to prevent a dispute from arising. Where a dispute already exists, we first consider a negotiated solution and proceed to court only where this is not possible.

Latvian legal framework

Easements are governed by the Property Law section of the Civil Law, which establishes their types, the grounds for their establishment, the conditions of use, and the circumstances in which they may be terminated. An easement is generally established by contract, will, court judgment, or law and, in order to be effective against third parties, must be registered in the Land Register in accordance with the Land Register Law.

Court proceedings are often the final step after other solutions have been exhausted — and it is in court that the outcome of a case is decided. The result frequently depends not only on the facts but also on the correct strategy, timely action, and precisely prepared procedural documents. We represent clients at every stage of litigation and always begin by assessing whether the objective can be achieved more quickly and at a lower cost outside court.

We represent clients in civil, administrative, and criminal cases, as well as in other dispute resolution proceedings.

The law firm provides daily assistance with:

Litigation strategy. Before initiating proceedings, we assess the prospects of the case, the risks, and the potential costs, and develop a clear course of action. An honest assessment at the outset enables the client to make an informed decision on whether to proceed to court, seek a settlement, or pursue another solution.

Procedural documents. We prepare statements of claim, explanations, appeals and cassation appeals, applications for interim protection, and other procedural documents, while observing procedural deadlines, failure to comply with which may result in the loss of further rights.

Representation at all levels of court. We protect clients’ interests at every stage and level of litigation, from case preparation and proceedings before the court of first instance to appeal and cassation proceedings, as well as during the enforcement of judgments.

Out-of-court solutions. Where it serves the client’s interests, we achieve solutions through negotiations, settlement, or mediation, which is often faster and less expensive than prolonged litigation.

Types of cases in which we provide representation

In civil cases — property disputes, contractual disputes, debt recovery, real estate, construction, and other civil law matters. In administrative cases — disputes with state and municipal authorities, including the contesting and appeal of administrative acts and disputes with the State Revenue Service concerning the calculation of taxes and duties. In criminal cases — providing defence and representing victims in property-related offences. We also provide representation in other dispute resolution proceedings, including out-of-court proceedings.

Practical approach:

We begin by assessing the case and the evidence in order to clearly explain the client’s prospects and risks. On this basis, we develop a litigation strategy and an action plan. Throughout the proceedings, the client receives clear information about the progress of the case and the next steps — without unnecessary legal jargon.

Latvian legal framework

Court proceedings in Latvia are governed by procedural laws: civil cases by the Civil Procedure Law, administrative cases by the Administrative Procedure Law, and criminal cases by the Criminal Procedure Law. Each of these laws establishes different deadlines, levels of jurisdiction, and procedural requirements, strict compliance with which is often decisive for the outcome of a case.

We advise companies and their shareholders on various commercial matters, including company formation, reorganisation, liquidation, shareholders’ financial relationships, and the preparation of shareholders’ agreements. We help assess risks, organise corporate documents, and resolve disputes between shareholders, board members, or business partners.

We assist in recovering debts through both out-of-court procedures and court proceedings and enforcement. We assess the prospects of debt recovery, prepare notices and statements of claim, and represent clients in negotiations, court proceedings, and cooperation with sworn bailiffs.

We provide advice on the application of taxes, the assessment of tax risks, and disputes with the State Revenue Service. We assist in preparing explanations, contesting decisions, and representing clients in administrative proceedings and in court.

We help companies and organisations ensure that their processing of personal data complies with applicable laws and regulations. We prepare privacy policies, data processing documentation, and agreements with data processors, and advise clients in the event of data protection breaches or requests from supervisory authorities.

We advise on copyright, trademarks, designs, and the protection of other intellectual property. We assist in registering and protecting trademarks, preparing licence agreements, and resolving disputes concerning unauthorised use or infringement of rights.

We provide legal assistance to employers and employees on matters relating to employment relationships. We prepare employment contracts, internal regulations, notices of termination, and agreements, and represent clients in employment disputes and court proceedings.

We conduct legal reviews of companies, transactions, and documents in order to identify potential risks and instances of non-compliance. A legal audit helps clients make informed decisions before entering into transactions, making investments, acquiring a company, or assuming significant contractual obligations.

We advise on legal matters relating to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical services. We assist with contracts, regulatory requirements, liability, patients’ rights, and cooperation between medical practitioners, institutions, companies, and patients.

We provide advice on the application of European Union law and its impact on the Latvian legal framework. We help assess the applicability of EU rules, prepare legal arguments, and represent clients’ interests in disputes involving European Union law.

We assist clients in disputes with state and municipal authorities, including the contesting and appeal of decisions. We prepare submissions, explanations, and complaints and represent clients before public authorities and administrative courts.

We provide legal assistance in matters relating to the protection of fundamental rights and the compliance of laws and regulations with the Constitution. We prepare constitutional complaints and legal arguments in cases where a legal provision infringes the rights of an individual or a company.

We advise companies on competition law matters, including prohibited agreements, abuse of a dominant position, and risks relating to unfair competition. We assist in assessing cooperation models, preparing compliance documents, and representing clients before the Competition Council and in court.

We provide legal assistance in inheritance matters, from accepting an inheritance and determining the rights of heirs to resolving disputes between heirs. We assist in preparing the necessary documents, represent clients before notaries and in court, and advise on wills, compulsory shares, and the distribution of an estate.