legal profession

Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Professional body founded in 1983 whose members include lawyers, national bar associations and law societies in Commonwealth countries. The CLA's aim is to promote "the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth by ensuring that an independent and efficient legal profession, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, serves the people of the Commonwealth". This site has information about the CLA's work, in particular the biannual Commonwealth Law Conference, which is sponsored by the association.

Indigenous Bar Association

Website of the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA), an organisation based in Ontario, Canada which represents aboriginal lawyers and provides a forum for discussing developments in indigenous law. Membership is drawn from judges, academics, consultants and students. The website includes organisational information and details of the objectives and by-laws of the IBA. It also makes available the IBA's newsletters and conference reports, together with information about the National Secretariat Against Hate and Racism in Canada.

Ordre des Avocats de Paris

The Ordre des Avocats de Paris is an association for Parisian advocates (barristers). The website provides news updates, training and careers information, Le Bulletin du Barreau de Paris (2003 onwards) and information on the role, regulation and history of the profession. An online directory ('annuaire') of members can be searched by name, address, district, legal speciality, language spoken and other criteria. There is a password-protected area for members. The website is in French.

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe

The Council of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is the official representative body for the legal profession in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). It is also a Council of Europe consultative body. The website describes the CCBE's structure and work, lists its member bars and law societies and provides a directory of committee officers. The Documents section includes the Code of Conduct for European Lawyers and position papers on more than 25 subjects, ranging from access to justice and world trade to contract law and VAT.

Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers

The Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers is the professional body for process servers and officers of civil courts in Scotland. A messenger-at arms is an officer of the Scottish Court of session, the supreme civil court in Scotland; sheriff officers are commissioned officials of the regional civil courts and Sheriff courts in Scotland. The website has a brief history of the profession, notes on the Society's international affiliations, and list of members' services.

Finnish Bar Association

Organisation representing attorneys (lawyers) in Finland. For attorneys, it has information about membership and details of training programmes; the Statutes and guidelines governing the profession of attorney; guidance on setting up /running a law firm, preventing money laundering and other practical information. For the public, it has a directory of attorneys, information about free legal advice clinics and a link to the Disciplinary Board website. There is also information about qualifying as a lawyer, and a training / events calendar.

Europe and Eurasia Program

The Europe and Eurasia Program is an initiative of the American Bar Association's Center for Global Programs. It gives technical legal assistance to countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, with a view to strengthening the rule of law, with projects focusing on internet freedom, commercial law, combating corruption and strengthening judicial systems. The Program's website provides news, research papers and details of activities in each country.
Subscribe to legal profession