Ahead of the European Parliament elections and the formation of the next European Commission, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has asked the EU institutions to stand up for a fair and effective judicial system.

The CCBE has urged in its election manifesto that the principles of justice, fundamental rights, and the rule of law be upheld.

Key points

The CCBE asks EU policymakers to prioritise five key points:

• Defending the rule of law, fundamental rights, and democracy, and safeguarding the role of an independent legal profession in upholding these values. EU institutions should enforce strict adherence to these principles among all parties, and ensure that EU legislation upholds core values to maintain the rule of law and the integrity of European justice systems,
• Ensuring that the EU legislative process is guided by standards that have a positive impact on the administration of justice. All actors involved in the administration of justice should meet annually for a continuous and constructive exchange of views on legislation and issues that impact on the rule of law,
• Resourcing the judicial system, and effective and well-resourced legal aid. Member states should allocate adequate financial and human resources to the judicial system, and guarantee ample EU funding to support the development of a European justice area that allows individuals to effectively enforce their rights in other EU Member States and ensures a well-functioning cross-border judicial cooperation mechanism. Member states should have an accessible, uncomplicated, and well-resourced legal-aid system,
• Comprehensive training for legal professionals, with a funding mechanism to facilitate large-scale, cost-effective, well-resourced, and structured training for lawyers across the EU,
• Proper implementation of existing procedural safeguards in criminal matters, to increase confidence in the mutual recognition of criminal-justice measures.

CCBE President Pierre-Dominique Schupp said: "The European Union has already done much to create a European area of justice, but much remains to be done to preserve what has been achieved and to improve justice in Europe.

“This objective can only be achieved through an unwavering defence of fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as strong support for lawyers as key players in the justice system. Through our manifesto, we call on politicians to take concrete action for a fairer Europe, where the rule of law is respected and justice is accessible to all".