Moldovan president says legal profession must be part of reform

The legal profession must be part of the reform. We aim to create a law or amend the law through an extensive consultation process. President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect in an interview given with a news portal.

The head of state said that "it is necessary that there are much more serious discussions about what is happening in the legal profession."

"Time and consultations are needed. We aim to create a law or amend the law much more seriously than they attempted this time, through an extensive consultation process. The legal profession must be part of the reform. Thus, more institutions need to be concerned about this problem," Maia Sandu noted.

The official referred to concerns regarding acts of corruption.

"There are lawyers who don't just defend thieves. Obviously, it is legal to have a contract and defend the side of the accused, but there are lawyers who have already become part of these crime rings and this is not normal. The association or institution representing all lawyers must have the task and concern of ensuring that the image, integrity and correctness in the legal profession are observed," Maia Sandu stressed.

President Maia Sandu today informed that she would send the amendments made to the Law on the Bar back to parliament for reconsideration. Thus, the new parliament is expected "to review the draft in dialogue with professionals in the field, with civil society and European partners, and to return with a law that ensures the independence of the profession." After the decision had been taken, the Union of Lawyers announced the cessation of the general strike, initiated as a token of protest against the amendments to the Law on the Bar, adopted by the parliament on July 11 this year.

The first amendment concerns the introduction of a three-year ban on lawyers who have held positions in the internal commissions of the Union of Lawyers from reoccupying these positions, in order to prevent influence and ensure the rotation of personnel. At the same time, the second amendment involves including representatives appointed by the Justice Minister, as well as representatives of academic circles or civil society, in the licensing and discipline commissions of the Union of Lawyers, in order to enhance objectivity.