The Bar Council of England and Wales joins with the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) to champion European Lawyers' Day on Sunday 25 October. The theme for this year is focused on security and freedom: lawyers as guardians against abuse of power.
 
Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "We live in a time of turbulence and disinformation, and it is critical that the law stands firm.

"The law relies on high standards of procedure and evidence, duties of disclosure that enable parties to have all relevant facts available, and advocates who are bound to act in their clients’ best interests subject only to their duties to the court and duties to act with independence and integrity.
 
"As Lord Denning explained in the 1967 case of Rondell v Worsley, Counsel ‘owes allegiance to a higher cause. It is the cause of truth and justice.’

"The Council of Europe’s Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer (the Luxembourg Convention) recognises the importance of freedom of expression for lawyers and guarantees the right of lawyers to inform the public about matters relating to the cases of their clients, subject only to restrictions prescribed by law and that arise from professional responsibilities, the requirements of the administration of justice and respect for private life, and that are necessary in a democratic society.
 
"The convention also highlights the right of lawyers and their professional associations to promote the rule of law and adherence to it, to take part in public discussion on the substance, interpretation and application of existing and proposed legal provisions, judicial decisions, the administration of and access to justice and the promotion and protection of human rights.
 
"We have recently seen lawyers targeted simply for doing their job, representing their clients without fear or favour. Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous. They weaken public trust and confidence in the rule of law and erode the very foundations of justice that underpin democracy.
 
"Lawyers are not their clients and should never be identified with them. Those who are unpopular or despised are entitled to access the courts just as much as anyone else. Legal representation, no matter to whom, is an act of  public service, often to the most vulnerable.
 
"Today we champion lawyers as guardians against abuses of power."