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Judicial professions
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For
judicial public services to function well, a
constructive dialogue is called for, not only within the
different court services, but also between those
principally involved - Ministries of justice, courts,
public prosecutor's offices, legal and judicial
professions and legal assistants. The needs of the
litigants or, better, of the users of judicial services,
should also be heard.
With this in mind, work has been carried out concerning
the main "actors" of judicial procedures, with a view to
promoting a constructive dialogue between them, thereby
improving the functioning of the justice system as a
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Judges
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Lawyers
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However
good the laws of States may be, they will only be effective
where the judges are independent, impartial, competent and
efficient. Therefore the Council of Europe has always considered
questions relating to judges as having very high priority.
Consultative
Council of European Judges (CCJE)
Presidents
of European Supreme Courts
Lisbon
network
Co-operation activities |
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The
Council of Europe also helps to harmonise the rules on lawyers,
who play a key role in safeguarding the right to a fair trial.
Recommendation (2000) 21 on the freedom of exercise of the
profession of lawyer, which lays down general principles on the
legal training of lawyers and their entry into the profession,
professional standards, the role and duties of lawyers,
disciplinary proceedings and access for everyone to lawyers is
relevant here. (more...) |
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Prosecutors
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Court clerks
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The prosecuting authorities play a crucial role as the interface
between governments, which are responsible for crime policy, and
courts, which must be independent. Their functions and powers
thus depend on a balance, which is not easily defined. (more...) |
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Court
clerks play an essential role in the administration of the
judicial system as they carry out important non-judicial tasks
and thereby enable judges to concentrate on judicial matters. (more...) |
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Enforcement agents
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Notaries
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As part of its programmes of legal co-operation,
the Council of Europe has, for several years, assisted States in
developing and strengthening their systems of execution of court
decisions in civil and commercial cases. In doing so, the
Organisation has focused its attention on improving both the
procedures of execution and the practices of enforcement agents. (more...) |
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We
are working with Ministries of justice and representatives of
the notary’s profession on defining the organisation of that
profession, which helps to guarantee security of legal
transactions. (more...) |
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