Faculty joins global call to protect professional role

A call for action in support of the vital role of an independent legal profession in the rule of law has been co-signed by the Faculty of Advocates among 50 legal professional bodies from around the world.

The document has been directed at UN member states on the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

It reaffirms “the relevance and universality of these principles” and notes “with great concern” the increasing frequency of attacks on the independence of the legal profession and against lawyers individually.

The call for action declares: “We, the undersigned bar associations, law societies, and national and international lawyers’ organisations respectfully urge UN Member States to fully recognise, uphold and protect the vital role that lawyers and the legal profession play in upholding the rule of law, promoting and protecting human rights, in accordance with the Basic Principles.”

Among other signatories are the Bar Council of England & Wales, the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, and the Law Society of England & Wales.