‘Urgent’ for Britain to ratify treaty on lawyers
Law societies in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland have called for “urgent” ratification of a Council of Europe (CoE) treaty designed to protect lawyers.
The joint statement was issued to mark Human Rights Day today (10 December).
The law bodies says that the council’s Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer provides a framework to protect lawyers from the rising worldwide tide of harassment, threats, and physical attacks that undermine their ability to do their job and serve the public.
Adopting the treaty earlier this year, the CoE said that lawyers played a key role in upholding the rule of law and securing access to justice for all – including vindicating possible human-rights violations.
Threats
At least eight countries – including six member states of the Council of Europe – must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force.
Britain, along with Ireland, was one of the first countries to sign the convention.
The three law societies said that recent attacks and research from the Law Society of England and Wales had exposed ”the urgent need for action”, with almost half of solicitors who responded saying that they or their firm received a threat in the past 12 months.
They added that early ratification by Britain would allow it to play a key role in developing the monitoring body. They said that it would also send “a powerful signal” to the rest of the world about the country’s commitment to supporting lawyers in protecting human rights.
‘Unique opportunity’
Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans said that the British government had a “unique opportunity to play a leading role” by being one of the first countries to ratify the convention.
The North’s Law Society president Mark Borland said: “The convention represents a major milestone, particularly given Northern Ireland’s historical context and ongoing risks to the profession, in reinforcing the importance of ensuring that those who work to uphold the rule of law can do so safely, independently and without fear.”
Law Society of Scotland president Patricia Thom said: “Sadly, reports of harassment, threats, and attacks on the profession are on the rise. It is therefore vital that we protect members of the legal profession as they serve the public; and ratify this convention at the earliest possible opportunity.”