No. 43/2026

Riga Arbitration Court's website features the A'debt platform (adebt.lv), which uses AI to automatically draft an arbitration claim from an uploaded contract, invoices or acts, calculating the principal debt, contractual penalty, default interest, a EUR 40 recovery-cost compensation and arbitration fees. Before filing, the user reviews the drafted text and signs it with eParakstu or Smart-ID; drafting the claim is free until the end of 2026, with only the arbitration fee payable. The court notes the tool is a technological aid, not a legal service, and that the underlying contract must contain an arbitration clause for a dispute to go to arbitration.

Latvia's national airline airBaltic reported a net loss of €18.1 million in the first 17 days of its US Chapter 11 restructuring, even as available cash increased. The US court has allowed it to raise up to €350 million in new financing, and for now nothing changes for passengers, with the airline continuing to operate flights.

The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on 20 October approved another €35 million tranche of debtor-in-possession financing for Latvia's airBaltic. The funds form part of the airline's overall up-to-€350 million restructuring financing used during its US Chapter 11 process.

On 20 October the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York issued a final order approving airBaltic's debtor-in-possession financing structure of up to €350 million, finding the fundraising process transparent. The ruling clears the way for further tranches as the airline's restructuring continues.

As part of its US restructuring process, airBaltic has been given until 10 November to meet one of its conditions — keeping certain agreements with the Lufthansa group in place. The extension was backed by most of the new creditors providing the airline with up to €350 million in financing, and failing the condition could affect future disbursements.

The Senate's Civil Cases Department partly annulled a regional court ruling in a dispute where a hospital sought double repayment of a resident doctor's stipend plus late-payment interest after the doctor left early. The case on stipend repayment and interest was sent back to the regional court because the lower courts had misapplied the rules on the duration of a training agreement. The ruling touches on how contractual penalties and default interest apply to training/stipend agreements.

Also reported by: lvportals.lv

On 21 October, the Saeima's Economics Committee gave final-reading approval to a new law on liability for damage caused by defective goods or services. The bill modernises the existing framework for compensating such harm, setting out a clearer procedure for consumers to claim compensation for losses caused by defective products or services.

On 9 October the Competition Council received the complete merger notification under which SIA "Petrol Property" acquires control of a filling station's assets and AS "VIADA Baltija" its lease rights, with fuel wholesale now named as an affected market alongside retail. A decision is due within one month, extendable to three, and comments are open until 29.10.2026.

On 22 October the Saeima adopted in final reading amendments to the Sustainability Information Disclosure Law transposing Directive (EU) 2026/470. From the 2027 financial year only companies with net turnover above EUR 450m and more than 1,000 employees must produce a sustainability report. A value-chain cap protects smaller business partners, and voluntary reporting needs no mandatory audit.

The amendments make the Enterprise Register itself, rather than a state notary, the decision-maker and let it issue automated decisions without an official's signature when an application is complete and checks clearly confirm it. Favourable decisions may be given by publishing the register entry instead of in writing, and applications are to be filed electronically, with paper filing phased out. The law takes effect on 7 January 2027.

On 15 October the Saeima approved amendments to the Law on the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia under which, from 7 January 2027, applications to the Register must be filed electronically through the registrs.ur.gov.lv portal, and which create a legal basis for automated decisions, with transition periods for some client groups (BilancePLZ, paywalled, only the lead is visible).

Two Riga businesses are feuding over the phrase "dog brunch": SIA Tobiass, which has run such an event in Teika for five years, claims a rival pet store's similar event half a kilometre away infringes its registered trademark "Tobiass branči suņiem No1" and misleads customers. The rival's owner denies infringing, citing guidance from the Patent Office that a generic word like "brunch" cannot be privately owned.

The Competition Council uncovered a cartel in the funeral-services sector and fined eight companies a total of €47,124. The firms coordinated bids in state and municipal procurement by submitting sham offers and exchanging commercial information, affecting at least 13 tenders worth roughly two million euros in total.

On 15 October the Competition Council decided to open an in-depth review of merger case No. KL/2.2-4.1/26/30, in which the INVL PEF II fund gains decisive influence over fish-processing companies. It will assess the effect on the market for production and wholesale of secondary-processed salmon products in Latvia. Market participants could comment until 22.10.2026.

In a decision of 1 October (published 23 October) the Competition Council found a breach of Competition Law Article 11(1): eight funeral-sector companies coordinated participation in public tenders and submitted cover bids. Fines range from EUR 700 to EUR 22,748.05 and are payable within 45 days; the decision can be appealed to the Administrative Regional Court within one month.

Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 816 on public electronic procurement rules will adapt electronic data exchange so contracting authorities can more effectively check information and spot possible conflict-of-interest risks by pulling data from registers. The change aims at greater transparency in public procurement. Relevant for contracting authorities and procurement participants.

Cobalt's September review of procurement-authority and court practice concludes that contracting authorities cannot set maximum unit prices after bids are received and reject offers on that basis unless the limit was announced beforehand, and that rejecting another bidder based on an already-rejected bidder's total price is unjustified. It also notes that material changes to tender terms do not automatically require cancelling the procedure if the market segment stays the same and the deadline is extended, and that missing signed declarations cannot be filed after the submission deadline.

The piece analyses when a public procurement buyer may name a specific brand or manufacturer in technical specifications — for instance on technical or safety grounds — without unduly restricting competition. It explains when an "or equivalent" clause must be added and when allowing an equivalent solution is not possible. Relevant for contracting authorities and suppliers in procurement.

A Cabinet of Ministers protocol decision from its 13 October 2026 sitting requires state institutions to restrict signing new supply and service contracts, including consultancy and research procurement, through 31 December 2026. Companies working with state bodies should expect stricter vetting of new orders through year-end. The decision will affect outsourced service providers working with the public sector.

Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 419 drafted by the Economy Ministry will set a 10-working-day deadline for paying subcontractors in public construction works and clarify invoicing for deferred work. It also aims to cut duplicate paperwork where the data is already in state information systems. The change tightens payment discipline along the construction supply chain.

Amendments to Cabinet regulations drafted by the Economy Ministry would index labour costs in public construction contracts if the sector's collectively agreed minimum wage rises after a bid is submitted. The aim is to reduce contractors' exposure to unforeseen costs in long-term contracts. The change affects how prices are revisited in public procurement contracts.

The Competition Council found a prohibited agreement among nine companies that divided at least 13 public procurements for funeral services and transport of the deceased in 2020-2025, using cover bids and unjustified bid withdrawals. The contracts were worth roughly EUR 2 million. Fines total EUR 47,124.66, set at 2% to 4.5% of net turnover.

Also reported by: ifinanses.lv

Using the case of an event host whose clients have delayed final payment for months, the article explains what legal remedies a Latvian service provider has when a client breaches a contract. It notes the option of going to court to recover the debt and late-payment interest if a voluntary settlement fails.

The article covers the European Commission's proposal to replace the EU's three current procurement directives with a single, directly applicable regulation to simplify rules and cut red tape. It would introduce two main procedures and give more weight to quality criteria – at least 30% of the evaluation, 50% for labour-intensive contracts – while supporting SMEs and, in certain cases, favouring EU-origin goods and services. The European Parliament and Council are still negotiating the proposal, so the final text may change.

Sorainen's October review of public procurement developments notes that cartel collusion on tenders worth at least €750,000 (€1 million for construction) now carries criminal liability, while the Procurement Monitoring Bureau halted a hospital's mobile-communications tender after results were announced over contradictions between the technical specification and the financial offer. It also covers a new requirement to confirm that Russian and Belarusian goods are not used in contract performance, and a Senate order on interim protection in a public-transport tender.

The article examines a case where an employer, on hiring, agreed to let an employee keep a second job, but later finds the combined workload excessive. It explains whether and when the employer can withdraw that earlier consent and require the side job to stop, balanced against the right to hold multiple jobs. Useful for employers dealing with employee overload issues.

The article explains the EU pay transparency directive (2023/970), which requires employers to compare pay including bonuses and benefits (such as a company car or extra days off), not just base salary. If the gender pay gap in a job category reaches 5% without objective justification, the employer must carry out a joint pay audit with employee representatives; Latvia's draft law sets fines of up to €14,000 for legal entities.

On 21 October the Free Trade Union Confederation (LBAS) put a proposal to the Tripartite Council's Social Security Sub-council to let employees with 40-45 years of service retire early without losing pension value, citing hazardous working conditions and Latvia's low healthy life expectancy. The proposal includes early old-age pensions at 80-100% of the full amount, reduced hours with a partial pension, and early retirement in specific sectors. Current rules cut the pension by 50% for early retirement, which LBAS contrasts with smaller cuts elsewhere in the EU; the Welfare Ministry is mostly skeptical.

Ellex specialists in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania contributed the Baltic chapters of the Employment Law Alliance's 2026 Global Employer Handbook, pointing out differences in recruitment, termination and non-compete agreements. In Latvia a job advert must state the expected pay range, the employment contract must be in writing before work starts, and a post-employment non-compete may run for up to two years against proportionate monthly compensation. The piece explains existing rules rather than a new change.

The consultation states that bossing can be a serious reason for an employee to terminate the contract immediately (Labour Law Article 100(5)) and to claim severance under Article 112. If the employer disagrees the bossing must be proved in court, and the Supreme Court has said not every conflict qualifies. Gathering e-mails, messages, dates and witness statements beforehand is advised.

National airline airBaltic has announced it will soon begin collective layoffs as part of its US restructuring process. To reduce the number of job losses, the company wanted to move some staff to reduced (85%) working hours, and the supervisory board's chair described the coming process as complex.

The piece explains that Latvia's Labour Law does not list specific professions allowed to work overtime — overtime can arise in almost any job, not only continuous-service roles. What matters is that employers respect overtime limits and extra-pay rules. Useful guidance for employers planning work schedules.

A minimum statutory land-use fee is planned at 4% of a plot's universal cadastral value per year, but no less than €50 a year. Land and building owners may agree a higher fee, and if they cannot agree, the landowner may ask a court to set a higher one. The change concerns cases where a building belongs to someone other than the landowner.

On 22 October the Saeima adopted in final reading a new law compensating landowners in forced divided-ownership situations. An owner whose title is entered in the Land Register can claim state compensation for 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026 where the statutory land-use fee falls short of the property tax. Claims go to the State Land Service between 1 January and 30 June 2027, and the service decides within six months.

Also reported by: saeima.lv

On 22 October the Saeima backed in principle amendments to the Ports Law clarifying the division of port territories, port authorities' functions and management of real estate. Leases, building rights and servitudes over port land may not exceed 70 years, or 99 years for servitudes where investment exceeds EUR 90m. Port council members and managers are to be chosen through open competition.

A lawyer explains that a real-estate purchase or gift agreement in Latvia can be drawn up in three different ways, which differ both in cost and in the degree of legal protection they offer. The piece helps buyers and donors of property choose the form that best fits their transaction.

The consultation explains that where each of five land units already has a valid boundary plan and the boundaries do not change, a new cadastral survey is normally unnecessary. To sell two units as separate properties they must be split off in the Land Register, each with its own folio; if a survey is nevertheless needed it can cost from a few hundred to several thousand euro per unit.

The consultation explains that a co-owner may not take over a whole flat without the other's consent, but can claim compensation for use of his share only by proving he had no real chance to use the flat. This is a co-ownership relationship, not a tenancy, so no lease is to be concluded. If agreement fails, a court can be asked to fix the use arrangement, award compensation or end the co-ownership (Civil Law Articles 1067 and 1075).

On 20 October the Saeima's Legal Affairs Committee backed in principle amendments to the act on the entry into force of the Civil Law's introductory, inheritance and property parts, in order to execute a Constitutional Court judgment. The minimum fee stays at 4 % of cadastral value (at least EUR 50 a year), but the building owner must also reimburse the property tax. A transition period runs to 31 December 2031, after which the fee is set by agreement or, failing that, by a court.

The consultation looks at the 14-day minimum voting period in a written poll under Apartment Property Law Article 20(2). In civil law the period starts the day after the draft decision is sent, so for a draft sent on 5 October day 14 is 19 October and a poll closed on 18 October could be challenged. The safe course is to close the poll no earlier than the end of 19 October.

The consultation explains that an association can be founded and registered with the Enterprise Register without all flat owners' consent, since only articles and a board are required. It does not, however, automatically gain the right to manage the building or represent the owners; that requires a decision of the flat owners' community taken under the Apartment Property Law.

The consultation states that a building manager needs a legal basis to cut off heating to one flat. An owner holding documents on the connection and the manager's consent, plus invoices and proof of payment for earlier seasons, should demand the legal justification in writing. If that fails, the municipality or a court can be approached.

An EU implementing regulation in force since 21 October 2026 lets businesses that imported goods from Indian producer "Varmora Granito Limited" since 14 May 2025 and paid the definitive anti-dumping duty apply to customs to correct their declared data and tax amounts. That means eligible importers are due a refund of overpaid anti-dumping duty. Relevant for companies importing ceramic tiles from India.

Under the Personal Income Tax Law, the monthly non-taxable minimum will rise to €570 in 2027 and will apply to all salaries regardless of gross income. For comparison, it was €510 in 2025 and €550 in 2026. The change will affect every employer's payroll tax calculations from 2027.

The article explains how to properly store structured e-invoices and how that differs from paper documents, including which format counts as the retainable original. It is topical as structured e-invoices become everyday practice in corporate accounting. Useful for businesses adapting their document-handling and archiving processes.

Citadele Bank's analysis shows Latvian fuel prices have jumped sharply over the past year — petrol up 26%, diesel up 36% — with diesel nearing the price level that has historically spurred interest in electric cars. New EV registrations rose 46% over nine months, mostly displacing petrol and diesel vehicles. The article notes a temporary excise-duty cut on fuel expires at year-end, so prices could rise further in early 2027.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2319, in force since 21 October 2026, amends the annex to Regulation (EU) 2023/265: the Indian producer Varmora Granito Private Limited (TARIC code A013, individual anti-dumping rate 7.3%) is renamed Varmora Granito Limited. The code applies to the new name from 14 May 2025, and duty overpaid since then is to be refunded or remitted. Importers can ask customs to correct their declarations after release of the goods.

Amendments adopted by the Saeima on 15 October and promulgated on 22 October extend the investment-account regime to crypto-assets and introduce a one-off crypto-asset declaration taxed at 10 % of market value at 31 December 2026. The declaration is filed with the tax authority between 1 April and 31 May 2027 and the tax paid by 23 July, and it is unavailable to persons already under audit or criminal investigation. The law takes effect the day after promulgation.

The amendments exclude novice micro-enterprise taxpayers from one category of insured persons and let people voluntarily buy insurance cover for work and equivalent periods in 1991-1995 at 1 % of the minimum monthly wage per month. Voluntary contributions start on 1 October 2027, the relevant provision takes effect on 1 July 2027 and the law as a whole on 1 April 2027.

On 22 October 2026 Advocate General Rantos concluded that the temporary solidarity contribution on windfall profits of fossil-energy companies, introduced by a 2022 Council regulation, and the national measures built on it are consistent with EU law: Article 122(1) TFEU is a valid legal basis, the levy is not retroactive, does not disproportionately affect property rights, and is neither a charge equivalent to a customs duty nor State aid. Member States may widen the circle of payers provided the overall burden and aims stay equivalent to the regulation's. The Opinion does not bind the Court; the questions came from the Italian and Belgian Constitutional Courts and the Irish High Court.

Amendments to the Law on Control of Aid for Commercial Activity, drafted by the Finance Ministry, would require companies that received unlawful state aid to repay interest even if the European Commission later finds the aid compatible with the internal market. The bill sets out how that interest is calculated and recovered. This raises the financial risk for businesses receiving state aid in a legally uncertain situation.

Amendments to the Vehicle Operation Tax Law drafted by the Finance Ministry would require sole traders who use a personally registered car for commercial passenger transport to pay the company light-vehicle tax. It would apply only for the months the car was used for business. The change affects self-employed people in passenger transport.

Also reported by: plz.lv

The OECD's public consultation on a new chapter of the international Transfer Pricing Guidelines covering intra-group services closed this summer. The article summarises practitioners' concerns and suggestions for making the draft clearer, though it is not yet finalised. Useful for tax and transfer-pricing specialists at international corporate groups.

Also reported by: sorainen.com

An LV portāls e-consultation explains that a cash gift from a brother or half-brother (kinship within the third degree) is not subject to personal income tax unless it relates to the donor's business activity. The payment reference must state the reason for the transfer, and gifts above EUR 10,000 a year from one relative must be shown in the annual return as non-taxable income.

The State Revenue Service notes that from 1 November 2026 a new EU rule takes effect requiring a €2 handling fee per item in shipments from third countries. The change applies to goods bought through e-commerce platforms and online stores and will affect both businesses and consumers.

On 29 September 2026 the European Commission refused to extend Latvia's derogation from the VAT Directive that allows the reverse-charge VAT regime for timber; the current approval runs until 31 December 2026. The Finance Ministry has not yet published an amending bill, the length of transition periods is unknown, and the author expects no change from the start of 2027. Businesses should plan for the cash-flow effect, since calculated VAT will have to be paid into the budget and refunds may be delayed.

The Finance Ministry's updated list of low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions, effective 1 November, adds the Turks and Caicos Islands and removes Fiji, Panama, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago, leaving eight countries and territories (BilancePLZ, paywalled, only the lead is visible).

An LV portāls explainer, prepared with specialists of the State Social Insurance Agency, compares compulsory social insurance contributions and coverage across tax regimes. It sets out which risks employees are insured against, the self-employed person's own duties, how contributions work under the micro-enterprise tax and how a royalty recipient chooses between registering an economic activity and having tax withheld by the payer. Worked examples and the notion of the average contribution wage are included.

The State Revenue Service explains that from 1 November 2026, under new EU rules, a handling fee of EUR 2 is payable for every item line in a parcel from non-EU countries. For parcels up to EUR 150 it comes on top of the fixed EUR 3 customs duty per line in force since 1 July and VAT; above EUR 150 it is added to the standard import duty rate. If the online shop operates under the IOSS scheme, everything can be paid at purchase, otherwise at customs clearance.

On 20.10.2026 the State Revenue Service added to its interpretations catalogue, under corporate income tax, a downloadable list of low-tax and no-tax countries and territories to be applied from 1 November 2026. The page itself does not describe the list, so companies dealing with counterparties in such jurisdictions need to check the attached document.

Also reported by: vestnesis.lv

From 1 November 2026 an updated list of low- or zero-tax countries and territories takes effect in Latvia. The Turks and Caicos Islands will be added, while Fiji, Panama, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago will be removed; transactions with companies from countries still on the list remain subject to special tax scrutiny.

The State Revenue Service reports that a technical fault, which in some cases delayed the display of taxpayers' payments in the unified tax account, has been fixed. Data exchange between the State Treasury and the service is restored and the electronic declaration system now shows up-to-date information, including payments from previous days. The notice was published on 20.10.2026 and updated on 21.10.2026.

The article explains that under Latvian rules a deadline falling on a weekend is normally moved to the next business day, but this does not automatically apply to VAT OSS/IOSS return and payment deadlines under EU Directive 2006/112/EC. That leaves extra risk for businesses using the OSS/IOSS regime for cross-border sales.

A new interactive visualisation on the State Revenue Service website shows how companies are spread across taxpayer rating groups by region, city and municipality. The data reflect the rating in force from 1 August 2026, with companies assigned to an area by their registered legal address. The rating describes compliance with tax obligations (filings, deadlines, arrears, audit results), so the tool can help gauge the tax discipline of local businesses.

According to the State Revenue Service (VID), total tax debt in Latvia at the start of October, including current and suspended debts and extended repayment terms, reached €811.7 million — up 0.3% from a month earlier but down 0.5% since the start of the year. The figures illustrate the scale of debt collection VID and taxpayers are dealing with.

A book excerpt explains how an accountant decides whether a payment to an individual under a contract for services, as author's fee or as rent requires income tax withholding, social contributions and a report to the VID, depending on whether the recipient has registered an economic activity (BilancePLZ, paywalled, only the lead is visible).

The Credit Information Bureau (KIB) has launched a free tool letting anyone limit or block new loans from being taken out in their name, as a safeguard against fraud and impulsive borrowing. The tool comes amid a rise in funds obtained fraudulently through loans.

The Consumer Rights Protection Centre found unfair commercial practice in the terms of the online shop 220.lv, which tied the cheapest delivery option to collecting goods in a Riga store and therefore did not refund delivery costs to consumers who withdrew after, for example, parcel-locker delivery. The Centre stresses that collection at a point of sale is not delivery and the seller must refund standard delivery costs, though not extra cost of a pricier option the consumer chose. SIA Pigu Latvia must stop the practice at once and delete the term; other online shops are urged to review their rules.

On 23 October, the European Banking Authority announced that Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale, representing Latvijas Banka, was elected as its new Vice-Chair for a two-and-a-half-year term starting 1 November. She represents Latvia on the EBA Board of Supervisors and, since 2025, also at the EU's Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).

The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) has ordered online store 220.lv to stop a practice that denied some customers a refund of delivery costs when returning goods bought online. The ruling is based on consumer-protection rules on the right of withdrawal in distance contracts.

The Consumer Rights Protection Centre has found unfair commercial practice at online store 220.lv regarding delivery-cost refunds. The store's terms listed free in-store pickup in Riga as its cheapest delivery option, so customers who chose a cheaper delivery method, such as a parcel locker, were not refunded their delivery costs in full. The finding is relevant for e-commerce businesses setting refund policies for delivery costs on returns.

The article examines how an exception in force since spring to the gambling-advertising ban allows sponsorship notices. It cites an online casino that placed a small sponsorship notice for an athlete at a Riga mall ahead of a Jūrmala cycling marathon, a case where the consumer protection authority found no violation. The author notes the practice carries both benefits and risks, since general advertising-law rules on fairness, truthfulness and misleading ads still apply.

On 22 October the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved updated rules protecting passengers travelling by air, rail, bus and ferry. The new rules provide for a full ticket refund, including intermediary fees, within 14 days of a cancellation, standardised claim forms, and the power for authorities to investigate suspected breaches on their own initiative.

A new regime for deferred-payment providers (e.g. 'buy now, pay later' sellers) takes effect on 20 November 2026, transposing the EU's second Consumer Credit Directive into the Consumer Rights Protection Law. From that date, large companies (over 250 employees, turnover above EUR 50 million) must register in the Bank of Latvia's register, paying a EUR 1,500 review fee, and must assess consumer creditworthiness unless a short-term exemption (50 or 14 days) applies. The Bank of Latvia also takes over supervision of these providers from that date.

Latvijas Banka Regulation No. 427 (issued 19 October, published 21 October) sets requirements for deferred-payment providers, the procedure for entering them in and removing them from the register, the data the register holds and the information they must file for supervision. The rules take effect on 20 November 2026, with certain provisions from 10 July 2027.

On 21 October, the Saeima's Economics Committee approved in its third, final reading amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Law that introduce new requirements for repairing goods and make it easier to find and compare repair services. The goal is to encourage consumers to repair damaged goods rather than replace them, supporting the circular economy.

Amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Law before the Saeima transpose an EU directive and expand consumers' ability to choose repair over replacement. For certain product categories, manufacturers would have to offer repair, and sellers would bear extended liability for non-conformity after a repair. The change aims to cut waste and strengthen consumer protection.

The Economy Ministry has drafted rules introducing a standard repair-information form for businesses offering goods-repair services, stating the repair price, turnaround time and other terms. Using the form is voluntary, but companies that opt to offer it must follow the set information requirements. The goal is to make it easier for consumers to compare repair offers.

The article warns that private parking lots are multiplying in Riga's residential districts, along with the risk of a fine for breaching rules often printed in hard-to-notice small text. Drivers are advised to read all posted conditions carefully before using a lot to avoid disputes over whether a fine is lawful.

The article warns that SMS loans, though quick and simple, are usually checked against credit history and can affect it — a missed payment can stay on record for years, making a future loan such as a mortgage harder or costlier to get. It advises borrowing only what can safely be repaid, comparing offers, and understanding fees and late-payment interest before signing. It also recommends contacting the lender early if repayment becomes difficult.

The Credit Information Bureau (KIB) analysed turnover reported in annual accounts against credit ratings. Among firms with turnover up to EUR 250k, 32.7 % sit in one of the three best rating categories versus 50.4 % in the EUR 10-20m band, while the share of elevated or high-risk firms falls from 16 % to 5.4 % above EUR 20m. KIB cautions that large turnover does not guarantee financial stability, so counterparties should be judged by credit rating as well.

The Saeima backed in second reading the bill "Law on Liability for Defects in Goods and Services", which implements EU Directive 2024/2853 and ensures that an EU-registered company can always be held liable for a defective product, even when the manufacturer is outside the EU, with compensation for harm to health, property and data (BilancePLZ, paywalled, only the lead is visible).

Sweden's SEB group has agreed to pay US authorities $33 million (about €29 million) over shortcomings in its anti-money-laundering controls in the Baltic states. The case is another reminder of the long-standing pressure on the Baltic banking sector to strengthen AML oversight of cross-border transactions.

On 21 October the EU Council approved a negotiating position on simplifying digital rules (the Digital Omnibus), aimed at easing certain personal-data processing obligations for businesses. It plans to clarify pseudonymisation rules, information duties, and how to handle unfounded or excessive data-subject requests. The change affects every business processing personal data under GDPR.

In an e-consultation the Data State Inspectorate notes that publishing a video in which people can be identified is personal-data processing requiring a purpose and a legal basis under the GDPR. Consent to record a conversation does not amount to consent to publish the recording; without it another legal basis must exist and the public interest must be weighed against privacy. The inspectorate cannot assess the specific case without knowing the video's content.

The Data State Inspectorate explains that parental consent to photographing a child and publishing images on an institution's website does not extend to uploading them into artificial-intelligence tools, because consent is tied to specific purposes and a manager's permission does not replace a legal basis for data processing (BilancePLZ, paywalled, only the lead is visible).

The European Data Protection Board has published a report on video recording, surveillance and evidence management in the age of smart glasses. It warns that while such devices are useful for communication and everyday support, they create new risks of inadvertently processing third parties' personal data and of video being used as evidence. The report is relevant for employers considering such devices at work.

The association Delna reminds readers that the Law on Transparency of Interest Representation provides for an official register and declaration system that will start operating on 1 September 2028. In the transitional period anyone who represents their own or another party's interests in dealings with public authorities may register voluntarily in the list kept by the Enterprise Register. Fewer than 30 organisations are registered so far, so Delna urges businesses and other representatives to prepare now.

Sorainen's roundup of developments from 7–20 October covers amendments to several laws – on electronic mass media, copyright, consumer protection and electronic communications – plus new product-liability rules. It also surveys Constitutional Court matters, including shareholder data disclosure, a Senate ruling on criminal-procedure transitional provisions, and changes removing insolvency administrators from AML and sanctions-monitoring duties.

The amendments widen local councils' standing before the Constitutional Court: a council may also challenge a Cabinet decision suspending a municipal territorial plan or local plan. The procedure for accepting such applications is clarified, and a person may file subject to the process set out in the Territorial Development Planning Law. The Saeima adopted the law on 15 October and it was promulgated on 22 October.

A new Article 72.6 requires fuel retailers whose stations meet set continuity criteria to ensure alternative power and communications so fuel can be dispensed during outages; the Cabinet will set the criteria and deadlines. The transitional rules on acquiring oil-product security reserves are also amended, with the administrator to complete purchases by 31 December 2028.

On 22 October the Saeima adopted in final reading amendments to the Electronic Communications Law introducing national roaming for emergencies: if one operator's network (LMT, Tele2 or Bite) goes down, subscribers will be able to connect to another operator's network. The new rules take effect on 1 July 2027.

The article explains that if the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis is unable, due to unforeseen circumstances, to publish laws passed by the Saeima, they can instead be announced through an older, legally provided alternative method. The arrangement is meant to keep laws taking effect on schedule even if technical problems occur.

On 22 October the Saeima adopted, in its second and final reading, amendments to its Rules of Procedure creating a faster track for legislative packages dealing solely with institutional reorganisation. In such cases, the first-reading debate and vote cover the whole package at once, with a single deadline for proposals and narrower scope for added amendments. The change's backer, the Bureaucracy Reduction Group (BAG), says it will speed up passing necessary law changes.

On 22 October the Saeima adopted in final reading, as urgent, amendments to the Electronic Communications Law introducing national roaming. If one mobile operator's network is down for a long time another operator will carry traffic, activated by a decision of the crisis management authority. Operators must have national roaming capability in place by 1 July of next year.

On 21 October the Saeima's Economic Committee backed for third reading amendments to the Road Traffic Law that ease completion of the joint accident statement. Drivers will be able to fill it in also where more than two vehicles are involved or third-party property is damaged, provided the State Police allow it after contacting them. The cases in which police must be notified are clarified, for instance injury to a wild animal or suspected intoxication.

The agenda of the Cabinet sitting of 20 October, where items are marked as adopted, included amendments to the energy communities registration and operation rules (Cabinet Regulation No. 808 of 10.12.2024), the justice minister's report on improving the quality of Latvian national patents, and the sale of state property at Kuģinieku iela 2 in Ventspils. Draft Latvian positions in EU Court of Justice cases C-46/26 and C-610/26 were also approved. Consideration of a draft order declaring a state of emergency was postponed by a week.

Amendments to the Protection Zones Law took effect on 20 October 2026, widening the tree-free corridor along 110 kV overhead lines in forests to 18 metres each side (previously 13 m) while the protection zone stays at 35 m. The new requirement must be met by 31 December 2029, and compensation is provided for the restriction on land use. The change follows the August storm, in which falling trees caused most damage to such lines.

Amendments drafted by the Economy Ministry would require large food retailers, on a press distributor's request, to sell newspapers and magazines in stores above a certain size. The aim is to keep print media accessible, especially in regions and rural areas. The change will affect retail chains' supply arrangements with press distributors.

LV portāls' legislative round-up of bills the Saeima referred to committees on 15 October. The lead item follows Constitutional Court judgment in case No. 2024-21-0103 and ends the state-set statutory land-use fee: a 4 % minimum stays until the end of 2031, the building owner additionally reimburses property tax, and a landowner may ask a court for a higher fee. The round-up also covers amendments to the Saeima's Rules of Procedure.

The weekly review is subscriber-only beyond its open introduction, which notes that on 15 October the Saeima adopted in third reading amendments to the Credit Institutions Law letting social services request a client's account statement from the bank, in force from 1 July 2027.

CJEU Advocate General Athanasios Rantos has concluded that the temporary solidarity contribution on energy companies' windfall profits complies with EU law, as it is justified by the exceptional nature of the energy crisis and proportionate given its limited duration. The opinion is not a final CJEU ruling but signals the likely direction on such emergency-levy cases. Relevant for energy companies challenging solidarity contributions.

LV portāls explains the CJEU judgment of 15 October 2026 in case C-70/25, a Polish reference about roughly EUR 700 lost to phishing. The court held that the only exception to the duty of immediate refund is a reasoned suspicion of fraud notified in writing to the competent authority; suspected gross negligence alone does not suspend it. The provider may afterwards seek the loss from the customer if it proves the customer's fault.

A dispute over registering the "Borjomi" drink trademark raised the question of how far protection extends for well-known marks. The Industrial Property Board of Appeal ruled in a "Red Bull" opposition case, weighing the similarity of design elements and the overall impression of the marks. The decision gives businesses guidance on the limits of protection for a reputed trademark against similar signs.

In its judgment of 16 October 2026 in case No. 2025-22-03 the Constitutional Court held that point 2 of Daugavpils council's 2024 binding regulation No. 35, designating where gambling may not be organised, complies with Article 105 of the Constitution. The court found the restriction on licensed operators' property rights proportionate to the public benefit. The judgment is final and took effect on publication.

On 19 October the Constitutional Court opened a case on whether sub-clause 19.1 of the tender rules annexed to Cabinet Regulation No. 150 of 1 March 2022 complies with the first sentence of Article 91 of the Satversme (equality before the law). The provision, which ceased to apply on 12 September 2026, allowed state support for a household solar plant only if it was bought from a merchant registered in the Enterprise Register, not from a self-employed person registered with the tax authority. The Administrative District Court referred the question; the Cabinet must reply by 21.12.2026 and the preparation deadline is 19.03.2027.

Also reported by: lvportals.lv

The Supreme Court (Senāts) ruled on another dispute over Covid-19 downtime and wage-subsidy support, this time for a business only indirectly hit by the pandemic. The court again sided against the tax authority's position, widening the grounds on which such aid counts as justified. The ruling matters for companies still litigating older pandemic-support disputes with VID.

In late 2025 the Supreme Court set out new findings in cases on expelling a limited-liability company member, clarifying how to weigh a member's conduct and its bearing on the grounds for expulsion when several breaches are involved. The guidance fills gaps in case law on this fairly common type of dispute. Relevant for shareholders and boards deciding on member expulsion.

On 29 September 2026 the Zemgale district court partly upheld a claim by SIA "Stiga RM" against the Competition Council over a 2024 letter sent to a municipality about the "Norupe" sawmill merger. The court ordered the Council to correct the conclusions in that letter, and the Council has now dropped the matter rather than appeal further. The case shows businesses can successfully challenge a competition regulator's statements made to third parties.

Also reported by: lvportals.lv · kp.gov.lv

On 25 October, commentator Lato Lapsa criticised Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns' proposal for new ways to maintain order in courtrooms, pointing out that judges already have broad powers to react to disruptive behaviour. Commenting on a TV programme, he questioned how well the minister understands the courts' everyday work.

The Ministry of Justice reports that websites run by the state publisher Latvijas Vēstnesis were suspended as a precaution for security reasons and are being restored step by step: vestnesis.lv since 22 October, likumi.lv and juristavards.lv since 23 October, lvportals.lv since 25 October. The Enterprise Register's service-description portal apraksti.ur.gov.lv is temporarily unavailable, while its registration-services portal works in Latvia and abroad. The notice was published on 22.10.2026 and updated later.

Representatives of the Latvian Council of Sworn Bailiffs took part in a conference organised by the Czech bailiffs' chamber marking 25 years of the bailiff profession there. The conference discussed Czechia's planned new enforcement law and the future of the bailiff profession across Europe, alongside talks with Lithuanian and Estonian counterparts on current professional issues.

Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns met his German counterpart for justice and consumer protection in Riga and presented Latvia's work on strengthening courts' expertise in economic cases and on digital solutions. They also discussed the dialogue between judges and major employers' organisations launched in September on improving commercial dispute handling and procedural rules, and the simplification of company formation in the EU single market while keeping safeguards against money laundering and tax fraud. The second theme was cooperation with Bremen on child protection.

The shared e-Seal solution operated by the Court Administration was used more than 1.06 million times in the first nine months of 2026, 67.7% more than a year earlier. Use in courts rose 122.6% (646,661 times against 290,543), the prosecution service used it over 300,000 times, and over 109,000 documents were certified with it in the road safety directorate's system. The tool lets public bodies certify large volumes of electronic documents automatically.

On 20 October 2026 the European Court of Human Rights, at the request of Luxembourg's Constitutional Court, gave an advisory opinion: Article 6 does not in principle bar requiring a lawyer to appear in person in disciplinary proceedings, but the disciplinary body may not refuse as a matter of principle to hear counsel on the reasons for the absence and, absent a clear waiver, must give a genuine chance to defend, at least on appeal. The case does not concern Latvia and advisory opinions are not formally binding, but it signals what fair-hearing guarantees in professional disciplinary proceedings require.

The Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates has signed a cooperation agreement with the developers of Saga, an AI platform for legal work, giving sworn advocates and law firms access to a tool for analysing legal documents, conducting research and drafting documents. The Council stresses that AI should support, not replace, a lawyer's professional judgment, and users must still observe ethics and data-protection rules.

An opinion piece examines how the EU's unified MiCA framework is reshaping the crypto-asset sector and discusses a possible tax amnesty for crypto assets in Latvia as a way to legalise previously undeclared gains. The author notes global crypto transaction volumes reach tens of trillions of euros, making clear rules important for both residents and the economy. Relevant for tax planning and crypto-asset holders.

The article examines how far Latvia's legal system permits individual laws that settle single cases rather than set general rules, noting that at least 117 such laws have been passed since independence was restored.