Gunars Kutris

Gunars Kutris is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Latvia. He teaches courses in Law Enforcement Institutions in Latvia and Abroad, Criminal Procedure, and Cross-Border Cooperation in Criminal Matters.

• Research Focus: Property issues in criminal proceedings, particularly compensation for victims, handling of criminally acquired assets, property seizure mechanisms, and procedural expense management.
• Professional Experience: Extensive career spanning judiciary, legislative, and law enforcement roles, including President of Latvia’s Constitutional Court (2007-2014), State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, and Head of Criminal Procedure Law Drafting Group.
• Scientific Awards:
  • 1st Class Badge of Honor of the Justice System
  • Memorial Badge of the Participant of the 1991 Barricades
  • Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Republic of Lithuania
• Research Trends: Analyzes intersections of criminal, civil, and administrative confiscation, emphasizing human rights, constitutional guarantees, and international legal cooperation. His work addresses non-conviction-based confiscation and third-party rights protection.
• Publications: Authored 15+ works on criminal procedure, including monographs and chapters in conference proceedings. Key themes: asset recovery, procedural fairness, and constitutional compliance.
• International Engagement: Served as Deputy Representative in the Venice Commission (2011-2019) and contributed to Kazakh judicial reform opinions.