As it met in Strasbourg on 30 November 2012, for the first time ever at the European Court of Human Rights, the Plenary Session of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) granted its 2012 Human Rights Award to Mr Pavel Sapelko, one of the most well-known lawyers and human rights defenders in Belarus. 

In its recently adopted position, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) supports the proposed Regulation on a Common European Sales Law (CESL) and calls on the EU institutions to adopt it, with an enlarged scope.  

The CCBE is the representative organisation of around 1 million European lawyers through its member bars and law societies from 31 full member countries, and 11 further associate and observer countries.

 

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has adopted its position on the data protection reform package proposed by the European Commission. Our position can be found here.

The CCBE represents the bars and law societies of 31 member countries and 11 further associate and observer countries, and through them around 1 million European lawyers.

 

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is the representative organisation of around 1 million European lawyers through its member bars and law societies from 31 full member countries, and 11 further associate and observer countries.

The CCBE is alarmed by the recent EU Council’s position of 8 June regarding the proposed Directive on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and on the right to communicate upon arrest.  In stark contrast to the original proposal from the Commission, the Council's text of 8 June falls dramatically below the standards set by the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, including internationally accepted standards in relation to the right of access to a lawyer and legal assistance, thus turning the proposed measure into the very opposite of its intended purpose.
 

On 8 June, the Justice and Home Affairs Council adopted the Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and authentic instruments in matters of succession and the creation of a European Certificate of Succession, clearing the way for it to become law.