The rule of law is one of the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on EU.
The CCBE monitors actively the defence of the rule of law, the protection of the fundamental and human rights and freedoms, including the right of access to justice and protection of the client, and the protection of the democratic values inextricably associated with such rights.
CCBE Contribution to the Rule of Law Report 2026
The CCBE welcomes the recognition in the 2025 Rule of Law Report of the vital role lawyers and Bar associations play in upholding the rule of law.
In its contribution to the upcoming 2026 Rule of Law Report, the CCBE describes its key actions and policy work carried out in the past period, alongside insights gathered from national Bars and Law Societies across EU Member States and few candidate countries on relevant developments within their justice systems.
The contribution highlights both positive developments and a number of trends raising concerns, particularly in relation to:
- confidentiality of lawyer–client communications
- threats or harassment targeting lawyers
- legal provisions and policies affecting the independence of lawyers and Bars
- cooperation between national Bars and the executive branch
- implementation of case law
- access to justice and digitalisation of justice systems
- other relevant developments impacting justice systems at national level
CCBE Rule of Law Network of contact points
A network of CCBE contact points on rule of law related issues was created in 2023. This network is responsible for monitoring and reporting to the CCBE the relevant national rule of law related issues during the year, as well as facilitating and strengthening the contribution from national Bars and Law Societies to the draft CCBE input to the Rule of Law Report of the European Commission.
Rule of Law Report of the European Commission
The 2024 Rule of Law Report of the European Commission examines developments across all Member States, both positive and negative, in four key areas for the rule of law: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. It includes country chapters for all 27 Member States, which rely on a qualitative assessment carried out by the Commission, analyse new developments since the previous Report and the follow-up to the challenges and developments identified in the 2023 edition. For the first time, the 2024 Report also includes country chapters on four enlargement countries (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia).
Find here several videos from the European Commission's Rule of Law Campaign promoting the 2024 Rule of Law Report:
Documents
- Position Papers
- Press releases
- Guides & Recommendations
- Interventions in court cases
- Case Law ECJ
- statements
CCBE contribution to the Rule of Law Report 2026 (27/03/2026)
CCBE Contribution for the 2025 Rule of Law Report (27/02/2025)
CCBE Contribution for the 2024 Rule of Law Report (14/02/2024)
CCBE Contribution for the 2023 Rule of Law Report (16/02/2023)
CCBE Contribution for the 2022 Rule of Law Report (25/02/2022)
CCBE contribution for the Rule of Law Report 2021 (26/03/2021)
CCBE – Stakeholder Submission to Rule of Law Report 2020 - Horizontal Developments (14/05/2020)
CCBE contribution european convention profession lawyer (15/09/2017)
CCBE Proposals - European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Draft Report with recommendations to the Commission on the establishment of...
Intervention du CCBE devant le conseil constitutionnel francais (06/07/2015)
CCBE-European Bars amicus curiae brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals (02/04/2026)
CCBE Statement on the protection and enforcement of international law (29/09/2023)
CCBE Statement on the Polish law establishing a State Committee for the Examination of Russian Impacts on internal Security (30/06/2023)
CCBE Statement on the rule of law (16/11/2021)
Statement with respect to the Ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal (08/10/2021)
CCBE statement on the 2020 Rule of Law Report (17/12/2020)
CCBE Statement on the Rule of Law in Bulgaria (28/10/2020)
CCBE Statement about systemic risks for the Rule of Law in times of the pandemic (15/05/2020)
Resolution on the Rule of Law 2020
CCBE and FBE Joint Statement on the Rule of Law and the principle of mutual recognition (18/05/2018)
CCBE Statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UN Basic Pinciples on the role of lawyers (07/09/2020)
CCBE statement on rule of law developments: justice - the compass for an evolving world (10/04/2025)
CCBE statement on rule of law developments: justice - the compass for an evolving world (10/04/2025)
CCBE Statement on upholding the independence and self regulation of the legal profession in Poland (29/09/2023)
Resolution of the Plenary Session of Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (24/11/2017)
CCBE Statement on the balance between security and justice in anti terrorist legislation (19/11/2005)
CCBE Resolution on Human Rights and the Rule of Law (27/11/2004)