Creation of the UIA Institute for the Rule of Law

On 12 September 2015, in Dublin, the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA-International Association of Lawyers) announced the creation of the UIA Institute for the Rule of Law (UIA-IROL).

This UIA Institute will increase the effectiveness and improve the coordination of all the UIA’s work to defend the Rule of Law, respect for human rights and the rights of defense, as well as the legal profession and its fundamental principles, the most important of which include the freedom to practice law, the independence of lawyers and their institutions, and the protection of professional privilege.

“Recently, the UIA’s work to defend the profession has been stepped up. This is a sign that in recent years the legal profession has been confronted with upheavals, each of which is a challenge to how we practice our profession: in the name of the fight against terrorism, corruption and money laundering, respect for the fundamental principles of our profession, such as professional privilege, is under threat.

In addition, increasing pressure is being exerted on the freedom to practice law and the independence of lawyers under several authoritarian regimes around the world. We are monitoring the situations of colleagues who are being threatened and harassed in Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, China, Egypt and other countries. The UIA must remain active on several fronts and the creation of this Institute will enable it to further its actions,” declared Miguel Loinaz, the UIA’s current President.

The UIA Institute for the Rule of Law will thus combine the functions of UIA’s Human Rights and Protection of Lawyers, Rule of Law, and Independence of the Profession commissions. It will be represented by its directors, Carlos Fatás Mosquera, Jacqueline Scott, Martin Pradel, William Hannay, Urquiola de Palacio and Maxime Delhomme, who will be assisted by Angela Diaz-Bastien, Avi Singh, Patricia Lopez Aufranc and Myrsini Felios.

Mary-Daphné Fishelson has been appointed as general secretary.

This team will work together under the general management of Maître Pascal Maurer (Geneva, Switzerland), a former President of the UIA and a former director of the human rights commission, a former Chairman of the Geneva Bar and a former President of the European Bars Federation.