CCBE agrees new status for UK participation

UK lawyers will be given the new status of affiliate membership within the Council of European Bars and Law Societies (CCBE), following the completion of the Brexit process.

As non-members of the European Union, the UK might have been reduced from full membership to associate or observer status, like other delegations from non-EU countries. That would have significantly affected the UK’s ability to participate at the organisation and might have affected the mutual recognition of UK legal qualifications in the EU. 

Agreement was reached however that the UK delegation would move to a newly-created affiliate membership, which will allow the UK to remain active but with certain restrictions on matters relating to EU policies.

Mickaël Laurans, head of International at the Law Society of England & Wales, said: "Maintaining an active and meaningful membership of the CCBE (beyond observer membership) was a key objective for us, both in relation to keeping a voice and bringing the UK experience on important issues such as human rights, the rule of law and professional practice matters as well as for our relations with all European bars and law societies.

"It is also important for our members that we continue our engagement with our counterparts in Europe on a wide range of legal issues."