On 13 May 2025, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) participated in the opening for signature of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. This event, held in Luxembourg, marks an historic milestone for the rule of law, the legal profession, and the CCBE. The ceremony commenced with speeches by Xavier Bettel, Chairman-in-Office of the Committee of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, and Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The CCBE was represented by its President, Thierry Wickers, and the Chair of the CCBE European Convention Working Group, Laurent Pettiti, accompanied by CCBE Legal Advisor, Nathan Roosbeek.
This is the first international, legally binding instrument dedicated to protecting the free and independent exercise of the legal profession. Its adoption is a landmark achievement, providing a robust legal framework to uphold the independence of lawyers and to guarantee their ability to carry out their professional duties free from intimidation, interference, or reprisals.
