Today, 9 September, the Cabinet of Ministers approved Latvia’s accession to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer (hereinafter – the Convention), which establishes a legally binding and uniform set of standards to guarantee lawyers’ professional independence, freedom and protection across all member states. The Cabinet authorised Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere to sign the Convention and designated the Ministry of Justice as the responsible institution for its implementation.
Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere emphasised: “Lawyers are one of the cornerstones of Latvia’s rule of law and a pillar of democratic society. By signing the Convention, Latvia strengthens both the professional independence of lawyers and our commitment to safeguarding democracy and the rule of law, not only in Latvia but across Europe. Ensuring the protection of lawyers also promotes access to high-quality legal services for our citizens.”
The Council of Europe adopted the Convention in March 2025, providing a legally binding and uniform set of standards to guarantee lawyers’ professional independence, freedom and protection in all member states.
Currently, 18 countries have already signed the Convention, underlining its importance as a tool that reinforces the rule of law and protects legal practitioners from undue influence and threats.
The implementation of the Convention in Latvia is expected to positively impact the legal profession by strengthening the professional autonomy of lawyers and law firms, providing protection against undue interference, and fostering a safe environment for delivering high-quality legal services.
Following the planned signing of the Convention in October, its ratification will need to be approved by the Saeima.