Law Society welcomes UK signing of first-ever international treaty for protection of lawyers

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The Law Society of England and Wales has embraced the UK’s adoption of the new Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. This is a milestone in the legal world globally as it signifies the first international treaty with a focus on the safety of lawyers, which was adopted by the Council of Europe in response to increasing reports of attacks on the legal profession.

The UK was among 17 other countries to sign the convention earlier this week, with Law Society President Richard Atkinson welcoming the move. Atkinson said: “The convention underscores how important it is to protect lawyers against harassment, threats and interference with their professional duties. If the lawyer is not protected, then no one is protected. Lawyers and their clients deserve a fair legal system free from harassment that impedes access to justice.”

The convention aims to “strengthen the protection of lawyers and their right to practise freely and independently”, according to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe. Atkinson added: “Recently, we have seen too many lawyers being attacked around the world as well as in the UK. This binding international convention is a good start to secure and protect access to justice globally.”

On top of a series of protective measures, the convention will also:

• “ensure that admission to the profession and disciplinary procedures and decisions remains objective and fair”; and
• “guarantee the right and duty of lawyers to both communicate confidentially with their clients and prospective clients and not to disclose confidential information”.

Atkinson congratulates the UK in signing the convention. He said he believes “it will further boost the UK’s international reputation as a beacon of stability, adherence to the rule of law, and a jurisdiction of choice”.