Convention sur la protection de la profession d'avocat

The Council of Europe recognizes the fundamental role of lawyers and their professional associations in defending the rule of law, ensuring access to justice, and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. It has adopted an international convention entirely dedicated to the protection of the profession.

Why was this convention created?

The Council of Europe notes that lawyers are increasingly targeted by assaults, threats, and acts of intimidation due to their profession, as well as by obstructions in the exercise of their activities. It condemns these violations and deemed it necessary to strengthen the international legal framework to guarantee the freedom to practice the profession, despite differences in organization from one country to another.

The purpose of the convention is to reinforce this protection and the right to practice the profession independently, without discrimination, obstruction, or undue interference, and without being the target of assaults, threats, or acts of harassment or intimidation.

What it guarantees in practice for a client

Countries that ratify the convention commit to ensuring that lawyers can:

• advise their clients or potential clients in private, during an in-person meeting;
• communicate with them confidentially, regardless of the means used;
• not be compelled to disclose information or hand over documents received (directly or indirectly) from their clients or potential clients, nor documents they have prepared for these exchanges or judicial proceedings in which they represent them, nor to reveal their existence or content, including if they are called to testify.

Its main themes

• the independence and autonomy of professional associations of lawyers
• the right to practice the profession
• freedom of expression for lawyers
• protective measures for lawyers

This is the first legally binding international treaty dedicated to the protection of the legal profession. It is open for signature by countries that are not members of the Council of Europe.

Who has already signed it?

As of June 18, 2026, 34 countries had signed the convention, including Belgium. The European Union has yet to sign it before the ratification process can proceed. It will enter into force three months after ratification by eight signatories, including at least six member states of the Council of Europe.

In summary: this convention protects the freedom of lawyers to practice and guarantees the confidentiality they owe to their clients.