In this powerful piece, CLA President Steven Thiru warns of the growing threats to the independence of the legal profession globally. He underscores that an independent Bar is essential to upholding justice and the rule of law, serving as a safeguard against executive overreach and ensuring access to justice for all—particularly in contentious or politically…
A milestone for justice: The council of Europe’s new convention on lawyers
On March 12, 2025, the Council of Europe adopted the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting lawyers, titled the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. This landmark convention responds to rising reports of attacks, harassment, threats, and interference against lawyers, which hinder their ability to practice freely and uphold the rule of law. Lawyers play…
Dutch Bar provides special resilience training for criminal defence attorneys
The Dutch Bar has recognised that criminal defence attorneys who have clients behind bars can face pressure, threats and possibly even manipulative behaviour and is organising special resilience training to their members facing this challenge. Special attention is paid to manipulative behaviour and how this can lead to undesired influence on lawyers. The course covers how…