Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė and judicial officer S. Vaicekauskienė. Photo: Ministry of Justice
At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice on 12 December, judicial officer Sonata Vaicekauskienė, Chair of the Judicial Officers’ Court of Honour, was presented with the “For Merit in Human Rights – 2025” award alongside other representatives of the justice system.
At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice on 12 December, judicial officer Sonata Vaicekauskienė, Chair of the Judicial Officers’ Court of Honour, was presented with the “For Merit in Human Rights – 2025” award alongside other representatives of the justice system.
Presenting the awards, Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė emphasised: “Your contribution to strengthening the foundations of justice, promoting respect for human rights and continually striving to serve people is a valuable asset that helps our society mature and strengthens our state. The more attention we devote to human rights, public education and civic engagement, the stronger and more aware Lithuania will become.”
The Lithuanian Chamber of Judicial Officers nominated judicial officer S. Vaicekauskienė for this award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to strengthening human rights protection in the enforcement of decisions, particularly those involving children.
However complex the situation, she always seeks to ensure the greatest possible psychological safety for the child and to safeguard the rights of both parents. In 2025, she actively advised child rights protection specialists, social workers and fellow judicial officers, sharing practical approaches that help reduce the risk of conflict and prevent psychological trauma to children. Judicial officer S. Vaicekauskienė’s expertise in international cases involving the handover of a child to a parent in another country received particular recognition.
S. Vaicekauskienė has worked in the enforcement of decisions for more than 30 years, beginning in 1992 at a court judicial officers’ office and practising as a private judicial officer since 2003. During this time, she has earned the respect of both the legal community and the public for her professional integrity, ethical conduct and ability to enforce decisions in a way that respects human dignity.
From left to right: I. Gaidelis, judicial officer and President of the Presidium of the Lithuanian Chamber of Judicial Officers; R. Tamašunienė, Minister of Justice; S. Vaicekauskienė, judicial officer; and D. Šnirpūnė, Director of the Lithuanian Chamber of Judicial Officers
Congratulating judicial officer S. Vaicekauskienė on her award, Irmantas Gaidelis, judicial officer and President of the Presidium of the Lithuanian Chamber of Judicial Officers, and Dovilė Šnirpūnė, Director of the Lithuanian Chamber of Judicial Officers, wished her continued success and steady progress in her professional career.
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