By Neil Rose


A top-level bid to create a united and 'more powerful' global voice for the legal profession was launched in Scotland last week, the Gazette can reveal.



A pathfinding meeting of the so-called 'L4' generated strong support for the concept among the founders - the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), American Bar Association (ABA), International Bar Association and Union Internationale des Avocats.



The event, held ahead of the CCBE's plenary meeting in Edinburgh, was judged sufficiently successful that the groups are likely to convene again in August in the US. Clear communication channels are also to be set up.



The Gazette understands that other major national and international bar associations may be invited to join them, but it is felt that to expand the L4 too early would threaten the viability of the project.



Key issues on the agenda were potential collective action over threats to the rule of law in various countries and to fundamental rights in the fight against global terrorism and organised crime; the battle to retain professional self-regulation; and the image of the profession.



CCBE president Colin Tyre QC told the plenary meeting: 'There was a very full, open and practical discussion. We were all agreed that we are facing common challenges across the globe and it is time for the profession to speak with one voice and co-ordinate its approach.'



This may mean the others becoming involved in the ABA's World Justice Project, which aims to promote the rule of law, and generally trying to produce joint responses to events to create 'a more powerful voice worldwide', Mr Tyre said.



ABA executive director Henry White told the Gazette that it was a positive meeting, and that there was far more that united the four groups than divided them.



Law Society President Fiona Woolf said: 'Lawyers must speak in a robust and unified voice to governments and regulators around the world. The legal professions need to be very proactive in spotting potential erosion of important legal principles, long before they become settled policy of either the EU or national governments.'



See also Editorial and CCBE attacks Brussels over plan to extend lobbying regulation to lawyers (General News)