In light of the 2024 European Parliament elections and the next European Commission, the CCBE calls on the European Union (EU) institutions to stand up for a fair and effective judicial system that upholds the principles of justice, fundamental rights, and the rule of law. To this end, the CCBE urges the EU policymakers to prioritise five key points in their policy agendas: 1. a Europe that defends the rule of law, fundamental rights, and democracy, as well as safeguards the role of an independent legal profession in upholding these values. The EU institutions should enforce strict adherence to these principles among all parties involved in their decision-making process and ensure that EU legislation upholds the core values and role of the legal profession in order to maintain the rule of law and the integrity of European justice systems. 2. the need to ensure that the EU legislative process is guided by standards that have a positive impact on the administration of justice. The EU should organise annual meetings with all actors involved in the administration of justice in order to have a continuous and constructive exchange of views on legislation and issues which impact the rule of law. 3. adequate resources for the judicial system and an effective and well-resourced legal aid system. The EU should ensure that Member States allocate adequate financial and human resources to the judicial system and guarantee ample EU funding to support the development of a European justice area which allows individuals to effectively enforce their rights in other EU Member States and ensures a well-functioning cross-border judicial cooperation mechanism. The EU institutions should also ensure that Member States have an accessible, uncomplicated, and well-resourced legal aid system in order to guarantee adequate legal representation for all. 4. comprehensive training for legal professionals. The EU should introduce a funding mechanism designed to facilitate large-scale, cost-effective, well-resourced, and structured training for lawyers across the EU. 5. proper implementation of procedural safeguards in criminal matters. The EU should ensure the proper implementation of existing procedural safeguards and introduce new procedural safeguards to increase confidence in the mutual recognition of criminal justice measures. CCBE President Pierre-Dominique Schupp said today: "The European Union has already done much to create a European area of justice, but much remains to be done to preserve what has been achieved and to improve justice in Europe. This objective can only be achieved through an unwavering defence of fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as strong support for lawyers as key players in the justice system. Through our Manifesto, we call on politicians to take concrete action for a fairer Europe, where the rule of law is respected and justice is accessible to all".
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