EU topics

In this article

• Proposal safeguarding access to a lawyer
• EU consultation on detention closes 30 November 2011
• Proposal protecting victims

Proposal safeguarding access to a lawyer

Autumn 2009 marks a new phase for the European Union. A new European Parliament in place, a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon to be held in October and a new European Commission to start its mandate shortly after that. In this changing landscape the Society has taken the initiative to highlight areas of policy and legislation that are of concern to the solicitors' profession.

The Law Society has published a guide on the Lisbon Treaty, the most recent EU treaty. It provides an overview of the new legal and political framework in Europe and takes into account the political developments in 2009 that paved the way for the Treaty's ratification. It is practical and non-polemic, giving information on key issues affecting everyday practice.

The judgment in the Akzo Nobel case was delivered by the Court of Justice on 14 September 2010.

The Law Society has issued a statement warning that this decision will hinder European business.  We have also produced  frequently asked questions on the case and its implications.

Legal professional privilege will continue not to cover the advice of in-house lawyers in EU competition cases.