Russian Lawyers Unite: Federal Chamber of Advocates Seeks Unification of Profession

Strategic Insights -

The Moscow Region Bar Association convened an open discussion among lawyers and private lawyers on the unification of the profession, emphasizing the importance of smoothing integration and addressing concerns about the proposed draft federal law. The meeting centered on the topic of "Professionalization of judicial representation," with 170 participants, including Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers of the Russian Federation Alexey Galoganov and First Vice-President Mikhail Tolcheev. The discussion highlighted the need for awareness and understanding of the bar's operations, mechanisms, and rules.

Key Takeaways:

  • The draft federal law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" has been posted for public discussion on the Federal Portal of Draft Regulatory Legal Acts since July 11, with a deadline of July 25.
  • The proposed law introduces a two-year transition period for private lawyers to take entrance exams and pass the bar exam, with an increased period between passing the exam and taking the oath from three months to a year.
  • The draft law includes provisions for audio-video recording of qualification exams and challenges to exam results in the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation.
  • Mikhail Tolcheev explained that the Moscow Region Bar Association introduced audio and video recording of exams five years ago and that applicants can use the Law on Advocacy and the Code of Professional Ethics of Advocates as reference materials during the exam.
  • On average, 60-70% of applicants across the country successfully pass the exams to become lawyers.
  • The main task of the legal profession is to carry out smooth integration and ensure that only qualified lawyers provide legal assistance.
  • The proposed law requires that qualification commissions consist of at least one-third of the total number of members, allowing for the division of large commissions into smaller ones.

Statistics:

  • The number of lawyers who successfully passed the exam is around 60-70% nationally.
  • Up to 25% of civil lawyers successfully pass the exam compared to former investigators and prosecutors.
  • There are approximately 170 lawyers and private lawyers who attended the meeting on August 1.

Sources:

  • Moscow Region Bar Association
  • Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation
  • Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation
  • Federal Portal of Draft Regulatory Legal Acts
  • Comprehensive Information System of the Russian Bar Association