PRESENTATION
Access to Law and Justice: European Bar Associations and Lawyers on the Front Line
The Paris Bar, which has the honor of hosting the next General Congress of the FBE, has chosen to put the major theme of access to Law and Justice at the heart of the debate!
After months of living with the Covid-19 health crisis which has forced us to postpone the Congress several times, we are delighted to see you again face to face to share on topics related to current events.
Enabling everyone to know their rights and to assert them before is a key issue of the rule of law.
In societies where the rule of law has become increasingly complex, the Bar Associations, and the lawyers, hold a fundamental place in the preservation of democracy, in which the rights of all must be protected.
This guarantee of effective access to the Law and to Justice for those without sufficient financial means is only possible if every state takes the necessary measures. Those measures should aim to establish an appropriate legal aid and effective arrangements for access to the law.
Assistance to the most vulnerable is the very essence of the role of the lawyer in the city. At a time when some consider lawyers as law merchants, the commitments of every Bar Association to maintain access to justice for all are essential.
This congress will be an opportunity to exchange views on the actions carried out by different states in the field of access to Law and Justice.
It will also highlight the importance of cooperation between European Bars Associations on issues that affect the entire European area (in particular in the fields of terrorism and public health).
A major novelty at this Congress will be the introduction of new tools for the Bars Associations:
- a twinning forum: to strengthen relationships between twinned Bars and to find new partners; and
- a "marketplace of ideas" to present the Pro Bono initiatives of each Bar Association in terms of access to law and solidarity and to leave with innovative initiatives to be implemented in its own Bar Association.
These moments of sharing are essential to be able to move forward together towards a society that is more respectful of the rights of all.
We hope to see many of you in Paris!
