Newsroom
Kosovo lawyers to discuss new code of ethics
PRISTINA 4 May 2001
PRISTINA, 4 May 2001 - Lawyers from across Kosovo will gather in Pristina this Saturday, May 5th, to discuss a new Code of Ethics, which will provide strict guidelines on their professional conduct.
All of the lawyers affiliated to Kosovo's bar association - known as the Chamber of Advocates - have been invited to attend a day-long seminar to examine the draft text and provide their feedback. It has been organised by the Kosovo Chamber, in association with the French NGO, "Avocats Sans Frontieres". The OSCE's Department of Human Rights and Rule of Law has been integrally involved in making the preparations.
Senior legal figures from Kosovo, as well as international experts, will address the participants on the key issues involved and present examples of ethics codes used by lawyers in other parts of Europe.
The proposed Kosovo Code, which has been drafted by the Chamber itself, governs the conduct of lawyers in a number of key areas. It provides guidelines on the relationship between lawyers themselves, between lawyers and their clients, and between lawyers and the courts. It also regulates the financial relationship between lawyers and clients.
"The draft Code is very strong on guaranteeing access to legal services by members of the public," said the OSCE's Edward Delaney, who has studied the draft and worked closely with the Chamber to organise the seminar. "This is a very important process. The Chamber of Advocates is a very influential institution under the law and it is run entirely by lawyers from Kosovo."
In order for a Kosovo lawyer to appear in court on behalf of a member of the public, he or she must be a member of the Chamber. The Chamber is also responsible for taking disciplinary action against any member found to have behaved in an unethical manner. The Kosovo Chamber is a multi-ethnic institution, which was re-established in April 2000.
The new Code will replace the existing FRY Code of Ethics, which was adopted by the Kosovo Chamber in 1980.
For further information, contact Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Pristina, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150; e-mail: press@omik.org / website: www.osce.org/kosovo
All of the lawyers affiliated to Kosovo's bar association - known as the Chamber of Advocates - have been invited to attend a day-long seminar to examine the draft text and provide their feedback. It has been organised by the Kosovo Chamber, in association with the French NGO, "Avocats Sans Frontieres". The OSCE's Department of Human Rights and Rule of Law has been integrally involved in making the preparations.
Senior legal figures from Kosovo, as well as international experts, will address the participants on the key issues involved and present examples of ethics codes used by lawyers in other parts of Europe.
The proposed Kosovo Code, which has been drafted by the Chamber itself, governs the conduct of lawyers in a number of key areas. It provides guidelines on the relationship between lawyers themselves, between lawyers and their clients, and between lawyers and the courts. It also regulates the financial relationship between lawyers and clients.
"The draft Code is very strong on guaranteeing access to legal services by members of the public," said the OSCE's Edward Delaney, who has studied the draft and worked closely with the Chamber to organise the seminar. "This is a very important process. The Chamber of Advocates is a very influential institution under the law and it is run entirely by lawyers from Kosovo."
In order for a Kosovo lawyer to appear in court on behalf of a member of the public, he or she must be a member of the Chamber. The Chamber is also responsible for taking disciplinary action against any member found to have behaved in an unethical manner. The Kosovo Chamber is a multi-ethnic institution, which was re-established in April 2000.
The new Code will replace the existing FRY Code of Ethics, which was adopted by the Kosovo Chamber in 1980.
For further information, contact Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Pristina, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150; e-mail: press@omik.org / website: www.osce.org/kosovo