The CCBE is discussing European justice and issues related to the protection of advocates

Today, October 2, a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is taking place in Brussels. On the agenda are the protection of the advocate profession, the rule of law, attorney-client privilege, and changes in the European justice system.

The meeting is being attended by the President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association and the Bar Council of Ukraine Lidiya Izovitova and her deputy Valentin Gvozdiy.

Among the key issues concerning safeguards for the practice of law is the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer. Chairman of the CCBE Working Group on the European Convention Laurent Petit is presenting on the ratification of this international treaty and its subsequent implementation.

In the context of practical issues regarding the protection of attorney-client privilege in cross-border cases, the issue of confidentiality in communications with corporate lawyers outside the EU is being examined. This issue is analyzed by President of the CCBE Permanent Delegation to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the General Court of the European Union and the Court of the European Free Trade Association Przemysław Kamil Rosiak.

An updated version of the handbook «The European Court of Human Rights: questions and answers for advocates» for 2026 has been submitted to the Committee for approval. It will be presented by chairman of the CCBE permanent delegation to the ECHR Achilleas Demetriades.

The discussion on European justice will include a presentation of the 2026 Rule of Law Report and the EU Justice Scoreboard. The Scoreboard is an annual review by the European Commission that allows for a comparison of the effectiveness, quality, and independence of the justice systems of EU member states. An exchange of views on these documents with a representative of the European Commission is also planned.

The criminal law segment covers the CCBE’s draft positions on the European Commission’s proposals to reform the European Investigation Order, Europol, and Eurojust. These documents are also up for approval.

In the area of civil justice, the CCBE’s preliminary comments on a possible revision of the «Brussels Ia» regulation will be considered. This document determines which EU member state’s courts should hear civil and commercial disputes with a foreign element and establishes rules for the recognition and enforcement of court decisions between EU member states.

Other professional issues include cooperation with the EU’s anti-money laundering body and a roadmap for implementing the European Strategy for Judicial Training for 2025–2030.

For reference. The Standing Committee manages the CCBE and has all relevant powers, except those falling within the competence of the Plenary Session. It consists of the heads of national delegations or representatives designated by them, as well as the CCBE president and vice presidents.

The CCBE is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1960 that represents over one million European advocates through bar associations and legal organizations. It advocates for the common interests of the profession before European and other international institutions, including the independence of advocacy, client-attorney privilege and access to justice.