The International Conference of the Union of Advocates titled “Exercising the Legal Profession in the Context of Current Realities and Transformations”
On September 9, 2024, the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Moldova organized the second edition of the International Conference dedicated to Advocate’s Day, titled “Exercising the Legal Profession in the Context of Current Realities and Transformations.” The event held particular significance, marking 25 years since the founding of the Union of Advocates and 10 years since the establishment of Advocate’s Day. Alongside the Lawyers’ Running Race, it was part of a series of events celebrating the professional holiday of the advocate community in the Republic of Moldova.
The conference brought together distinguished advocates and experts from across Europe, providing an essential platform for debates on the challenges and changes facing the legal profession, both at the national and European levels, as well as the urgent need for the adaptation of the legal profession to these changes. In the opening of the conference, the President of the Union of Advocates, Dr. Dorin POPESCU, emphasized the essential role of advocates in protecting the rule of law, defending human rights, upholding the fundamental principles and values of society, and maintaining the balance of power within the state. He reiterated that participation in this forum by colleagues from neighboring and European countries is crucial for fostering professional and even personal collaboration among advocates. It also demonstrates that many of the issues faced in the practice of advocacy are common, and their resolution is determined by the professional solidarity of advocates worldwide.
During the congratulatory addresses, the Minister of Justice, Mrs. Veronica MIHAILOV-MORARU, the Vice President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), Mr. Roman ZAVRŠEK, the President of the National Association of Advocates of Ukraine, Mrs. Lydia IZOVITOVA, and the Vice President of the National Union of Bars of Romania, Dr. Ion DRAGNE, highlighted the importance of advocates not only as defenders of citizens’ rights but also for their fundamental role in promoting legal reforms and strengthening the rule of law. They also reiterated the need for close and constructive cooperation between all actors in the justice system.
The first plenary session, moderated by Dr. Dorin POPESCU, President of the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Moldova, addressed essential topics such as judicial reform, alternative dispute resolution methods, and the advocate’s freedom of expression. Dr. Dorin POPESCU opened the discussions by presenting the impact of recent changes on the practice of advocacy, emphasizing the need to maintain a balance between the speed and quality of justice. The discussions continued with an international perspective, with valuable contributions from Mr. Roman ZAVRŠEK, Vice President of the CCBE, and Dr. Lucian-Bernd SĂULEANU, a member of the Dolj Bar Council, who provided a global perspective on the topics discussed, including the European initiative for adopting a convention to protect the legal profession.
At the national level, contributions were made by Dr. Stanislav COPEȚCHI, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova, Dr. Felicia CHIFA, mediator, and advocates Serghei COVALI, Vadim VIERU, Cristina OGLINDA, and Dr. Vladimir PALAMARCIUC, who addressed the role of advocates in alternative dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration, the challenges and opportunities in the digital age, the freedom of expression of advocates in light of the European Court of Human Rights’ jurisprudence, and the role of advocates in the online space.
The second plenary session was dedicated to the social insurance system for advocates and was opened by Mr. Alexandru ȚURCAN, Dean of the Chisinau Bar, who provided a comparative overview of the contributions of advocates to the social insurance budget in recent years, highlighting the consistent growth trend. This topic was further developed by Mrs. Elena ȚÎBÎRNĂ, Director General of the National Social Insurance House, and Mrs. Elena PUI, an expert in non-state pension funds, who presented the social insurance system for advocates in the Republic of Moldova, including the potential for alternative pension funds for advocates. Mr. Mihăiță BUBATU, President of the National Council of Advocates’ Social Insurance in Romania, also shared insights into the operation of Romania’s advocate social insurance system and the best practices implemented.
The special session, moderated by Mr. Alexandru ȚURCAN, Dean of the Chisinau Bar, began with a congratulatory message addressed to advocates by Mrs. Julie COUTURIER, President of the National Council of Bars of France (CNB), who emphasized the key role of advocates in ensuring the legal security of economic development and the importance of solidarity and cooperation among advocates. Mrs. Marie-Aimée PEYRON, President of the Committee for International and European Affairs in France, Mrs. Ilona TREIBERT, Dean of the Bamberg Bar in Germany, Mrs. Olena DZHABURIYA, Dean of the Odessa Bar, and Mr. Florin ANDREICUȚ, Dean of the Maramureș Bar in Romania, shared their recent experiences and challenges faced by advocates and bars, including the impact of artificial intelligence on the lives of advocates, the ownership of law firms by third parties, and the practice of advocacy amid the war in Ukraine.
On behalf of the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Moldova, we sincerely thank all the guests and experts for their valuable contributions to this conference, as well as all participating colleagues. The event further strengthened the role of the conference as a traditional forum for discussing current issues in the legal field, fostering constructive dialogue at both national and international levels.
The proceedings of the International Conference of Advocates on “Exercising the Advocate Profession in the Context of Current Realities and Transformations” can be viewed HERE.
