“My professional path has combined legal practice, institutional leadership and a long-standing commitment to the independence of the legal profession” — Exclusive Interview with MSc Roman Završek, LLM, President of the CCBE

At a time when the legal profession faces profound transformations driven by technological disruptions, geopolitical pressures, and an urgent need for structural reform, the voice of European leadership carries decisive weight.

MSc Roman Završek, LLM, President of the Council of European Bars (CCBE), offers in this exclusive interview an uncompromising perspective on the rule of law, the future of lawyers in the age of artificial intelligence, and the vital importance of the new Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.

1. Robert Williams: Mr President, the legal profession has faced multiple challenges in recent years and, from outside the profession, a lawyer can lose credibility at any moment. Is there a cadence of time through which the profession self-regulates in the face of society’s transformation?

Roman Završek: The legal profession does not regulate itself only at fixed intervals. It does so continuously. Social change, technological development and new forms of legal service require the profession to regularly review its professional rules, ethical standards and safeguards.

However, adaptation cannot mean abandoning the profession’s foundational principles. Independence, integrity, professional competence, loyalty to the client and lawyer-client confidentiality are not privileges granted to lawyers. They are guarantees for citizens and for the proper administration of justice.

A lawyer’s credibility should not depend on the popularity of a client or cause. Lawyers must not be identified with their clients or with the positions they are professionally required to defend. When lawyers are subjected to intimidation, surveillance, public stigmatisation or disciplinary pressure for carrying out their lawful duties, the harm extends beyond the individual lawyer. It restricts the citizen’s access to independent legal representation.

Self-regulation must therefore combine independence with accountability. Bars and Law Societies must uphold high professional standards and address misconduct through fair, independent and proportionate procedures. At the same time, they must protect lawyers against improper external interference.

This is also why the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer is of such importance. It is the first international legally binding treaty specifically dedicated to protecting lawyers and their professional associations. It addresses professional rights, freedom of expression, professional discipline and specific protective measures for lawyers and their representative bodies.

The Convention was adopted on 12 March 2025 and opened for signature on 13 May 2025. According to the Council of Europe’s official treaty record, as of 27 September 2026, it had attracted 34 signatures, although the ratifications required for its entry into force were still awaited.

The profession must evolve, but it must evolve around its principles, not away from them.

2. Robert Williams: How do law and its different branches respond, considering the diversity of justice systems and doctrines within the European Union, nationally and globally: in the interest of the law, the litigant or the State?

Roman Završek: Law must not serve only the interests of the State, nor only the interests of an individual litigant. Its purpose is to create a legitimate framework within which public authority is limited, individual rights are protected and disputes are resolved peacefully and fairly.

The State has a legitimate interest in security, public order and effective law enforcement. However, those objectives must be pursued within the boundaries of legality, necessity, proportionality and independent judicial control. The litigant, in turn, must have genuine access to justice, independent legal representation, a fair hearing and an effective remedy.

The rule of law is what prevents public power from becoming arbitrary. It requires not only that citizens comply with the law, but also that the State and its institutions remain subject to it.

This principle applies nationally, within the European legal order and internationally. International law provides the foundation for peaceful relations between States, the protection of fundamental rights and accountability for serious violations. It provides a framework within which disputes can be resolved through accepted legal rules and legitimate institutions rather than through coercion or force.

International courts and tribunals are indispensable to this system. Their authority depends not only on the legal rules they apply, but also on their ability to interpret and apply those rules independently, impartially and without political interference or intimidation.

In its statement of 27 March 2026 on the protection of international law and justice, the CCBE emphasised that the international rule of law and the institutions established to uphold it face growing challenges. These include political pressure, selective compliance with international obligations and threats to the independence of international courts and legal professionals. The CCBE stressed that compliance with international legal obligations and judicial decisions is not optional, but a fundamental requirement for trust and legal certainty in the international order.

The legal profession also has a particular responsibility. Lawyers connect individuals and businesses with justice systems, test the legality of public action and ensure that rights are effective in practice. Those who advise, represent or appear before national and international courts must be able to carry out their professional duties without fear of retaliation.

The diversity of legal systems and traditions must be respected. European legal cooperation does not require the elimination of that diversity. It requires common guarantees, mutual trust and a shared commitment to fundamental rights.

Ultimately, law must protect the individual, bind the State and ensure that power is exercised through law rather than above it.

3. Robert Williams: Regarding yourself, were professional excellence and integrity decisive in your election as President, or is this the natural path of an elite?

Roman Završek: I would not describe the CCBE presidency as the natural path of an elite. It is a position of service, trust and responsibility.

The CCBE brings together Bars and Law Societies from 46 European countries and, through them, represents more than one million European lawyers. Its President does not determine the organisation’s policies alone. Priorities and positions are developed collectively through national delegations, committees and working groups and are adopted through the CCBE’s established decision-making bodies.

I was elected at the CCBE Plenary Session on 27 November 2025 and officially assumed the presidency on 1 January 2026.

My professional path has combined legal practice, institutional leadership and a long-standing commitment to the independence of the legal profession. I previously served three terms as President of the Slovenian Bar Association, chaired the CCBE’s Platform for Exchange, Cooperation and Outreach Committee and participated in the work of the CCBE for many years before assuming the presidency. Earlier in my career, I worked as a legal adviser in the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights. That experience significantly shaped my understanding of human rights, procedural fairness and the role of lawyers in protecting individuals.

Professional competence and integrity are essential for any leadership role within the legal profession. However, they must be accompanied by the ability to listen, build consensus and represent positions that extend beyond one’s own national or personal perspective.

The CCBE represents different legal traditions, professional cultures and national experiences. Its credibility comes from its ability to bring these different perspectives together around common principles.

I therefore regard the presidency not as recognition of status, but as an obligation to serve the European legal profession and the public values that it protects. Leadership in our profession should never be about hierarchy for its own sake. It should be about responsibility, credibility and the capacity to unite people around shared principles.

4. Robert Williams: Moving from national legal practice to the politics of a European organisation, how important is the CCBE in relation to European and national legislators?

Roman Završek: The CCBE is not a political organisation in the party-political sense. It is the recognised voice of the European legal profession, bringing together Bars and Law Societies from 46 European countries and representing, through them, more than one million lawyers.

Its role is to provide European and national legislators with legal expertise and evidence derived from professional practice. This is increasingly important because European legislation directly shapes the rights of clients and the daily work of lawyers.

Rules concerning artificial intelligence, electronic evidence, data retention, surveillance, anti-money laundering, criminal procedure, migration, company law and cross-border services can affect access to justice, defence rights, professional secrecy and the independence of lawyers.

The CCBE therefore engages with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and other European and international institutions. It contributes through public consultations, position papers, technical guidance, participation in expert discussions and, where appropriate, interventions in judicial proceedings.

The 2025 Annual Report demonstrates the breadth of this work. During that year, the CCBE issued statements, position papers, responses, letters, guides, an amicus curiae brief and contributions to European policy processes. It also participated in numerous external meetings and events with European and international institutions.

A particularly important example is the CCBE’s contribution to the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report. Drawing on information from national Bars and Law Societies, the CCBE provides practice-based evidence concerning access to justice, the independence of lawyers, professional secrecy and the effective functioning of justice systems.

The CCBE also participated in the European Commission’s High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice. It emphasised that the effectiveness of criminal justice systems must not come at the expense of defence rights and fair-trial guarantees. It similarly contributed to discussions on justice for growth, stressing the importance of legal certainty, multilingualism and the role of lawyers in protecting parties and advising businesses.

This institutional responsibility also requires the CCBE to speak when the independence of courts or lawyers is threatened. In March 2026, it adopted a statement on the protection of international law and justice. In July 2026, the CCBE called for urgent European action to protect the International Criminal Court from the impact of sanctions.

The CCBE does not replace democratically elected legislators. Its task is to ensure that legislators understand how proposed rules will operate in practice and whether those rules adequately protect citizens, clients, access to justice and the proper administration of justice.

5. Robert Williams: What solutions does the CCBE have at hand to be the éminence grise regarding the legal profession, where we find legal advisers, experts and evaluators who naturally complement the profession of lawyer but have less powerful representation? Can we speak of professional peace or a possible partnership?

Roman Završek: The contemporary justice system depends on cooperation among many professions. Lawyers regularly work with experts, interpreters, mediators, academics, accountants, technical specialists and other advisers. Their knowledge and experience can be indispensable, particularly in technologically complex, cross-border or highly specialised matters.

The objective should not be professional dominance. Nor do I believe the CCBE should aspire to act as an éminence grise. Its authority should come from the quality of its expertise, the legitimacy of its member organisations and the principles it defends.

The appropriate approach is professional clarity combined with responsible cooperation. Each profession should have a clearly defined role, appropriate qualifications, ethical obligations and effective accountability.

Difficulties arise when different providers offer apparently comparable services while being subject to substantially different standards concerning independence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, professional insurance and disciplinary responsibility.

The role of the lawyer remains distinct. A lawyer is not merely a commercial consultant or service provider. Lawyers play an essential role in the administration of justice and are bound by duties towards their clients, the courts and society. Their professional independence and obligation of confidentiality protect both the client and the fairness of proceedings.

At the same time, there is considerable scope for constructive partnership. Multidisciplinary cooperation can improve the quality and accessibility of legal services. However, it must be organised in a way that preserves the lawyer’s independence, prevents conflicts of interest and protects lawyer-client confidentiality.

The CCBE is already examining innovation in legal services and developments affecting the future of the profession. Its work recognises that technological, economic and social change may create new service models. It also insists that innovation must remain compatible with legal certainty, professional ethics and adequate protection of clients.

I would therefore speak not merely of professional peace, but of principled cooperation. Partnership is welcome where it improves services and access to justice. It cannot, however, be based on weakening the safeguards that distinguish independent legal representation from ordinary commercial advice.

6. Robert Williams: Artificial intelligence is such an intense subject. Can the organisation speak directly with the creators of artificial intelligence and have a say in this regard?

Roman Završek: Yes. The CCBE should engage directly with developers of artificial intelligence. However, this dialogue cannot be limited to the technology industry. It must also include legislators, courts, regulatory authorities, academics, civil society and practising lawyers.

Artificial intelligence can improve legal research, document review, administrative efficiency and access to legal information. It can assist lawyers in managing large quantities of information and allow them to devote more time to strategic advice, professional judgment and communication with clients.

However, artificial intelligence also creates serious risks concerning lawyer-client confidentiality, personal data, cybersecurity, reliability, discrimination, transparency and professional responsibility.

The central principle is that artificial intelligence may support professional judgment, but it cannot replace it. A lawyer remains responsible for the advice given to a client. Lawyers must therefore understand, verify and, where necessary, challenge the output produced by an artificial intelligence system.

A machine cannot assume the lawyer’s ethical duties, understand the complete human context of a case or accept professional responsibility for an error. The final legal assessment must remain human.

The CCBE is already actively engaged in this field. In 2025, it responded to a consultation concerning the implementation of the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act’s rules for high-risk systems. The CCBE also contributed to European discussions concerning cloud and artificial intelligence development and adopted a guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence by lawyers. That guide addressed the benefits, risks, potential uses and professional obligations associated with these systems.

The CCBE also organised a high-level conference at the European Parliament concerning the digitalisation of justice and its implications for the legal profession. The discussion brought together representatives of European institutions, international organisations, judicial authorities, technology specialists and legal professionals. It examined how digital transformation can improve access to justice while preserving independence, confidentiality, responsibility and the integrity of judicial decision-making.

Artificial intelligence must also be examined from the perspective of international justice. Technology must never be used to weaken judicial independence, enable disproportionate surveillance of lawyers or compromise confidential communications between lawyers and their clients.

The legal profession must therefore be present when technological systems are designed, regulated and implemented. If lawyers enter the discussion only after systems have been developed, fundamental safeguards may be treated as technical obstacles rather than as conditions for lawful and trustworthy technology.

Our position is clear: technology must serve justice, democracy and human dignity, not the other way around.

7. Robert Williams: Mr President, is the presidency of the organisation merely a stage, or do you consider that you can help the profession from other positions, potentially including a career within the legislature?

Roman Završek: I do not regard the CCBE presidency as a stage in a personal career plan. It is a demanding mandate of service, trust and institutional responsibility.

The presidency is also not an individual political platform. The CCBE’s policies and positions are developed collectively through its national delegations, expert committees, working groups, Standing Committee and Plenary Session. The President’s responsibility is to represent those common positions credibly and help translate them into practical results.

My priorities include strengthening the rule of law, protecting the independence and safety of lawyers, promoting the ratification and effective implementation of the Council of Europe Convention, safeguarding lawyer-client confidentiality, supporting the responsible digitalisation of justice and ensuring sustainable European support for the training of lawyers.

I also believe that the responsibility of the legal profession extends beyond national borders. International courts and tribunals must be able to perform their functions independently and effectively. Lawyers who advise, represent or appear before those institutions must be able to carry out their professional duties without intimidation, interference or fear of retaliation.

States have a responsibility to respect the independence of international courts, comply in good faith with their international obligations and refrain from measures that obstruct lawful judicial functions. International institutions have a responsibility to safeguard the effective functioning of judicial bodies. The legal profession has a responsibility to defend the independence of both courts and lawyers.

Public service can take many forms. A lawyer may contribute through professional organisations, legislative consultation, international institutions, universities or civil society. What matters is not the title held, but whether that person can make a useful, independent and principled contribution.

I remain ready to serve the legal profession and the rule of law wherever my experience can be valuable. However, I do not view institutional office as a ladder leading automatically to another office.

For the present, my focus is firmly on the CCBE presidency and on converting principles into practical results.

Leadership should ultimately be assessed by the values defended and the results achieved, not by the title that follows.

8.Robert Williams: Looking back and at the present, yet with an eye on the future, what major changes are occurring in the legal profession? Is it simple or complicated to be a lawyer?

Roman Završek: It has never been simple to be a lawyer. The profession requires legal knowledge, independence, courage, discretion and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure. Today, however, the environment in which lawyers operate is becoming substantially more complex.

Lawyers must respond to rapidly changing European and national legislation, cross-border proceedings, digital evidence, cybersecurity risks, artificial intelligence, increasingly complex regulatory obligations and growing financial pressure. Clients also expect legal services to be faster, more accessible and more transparent.

At the same time, lawyers in many jurisdictions face threats, harassment, detention, violence and professional sanctions merely because of the clients they represent or the cases they undertake.

In 2025, the CCBE sent 121 letters in support of more than 920 endangered lawyers in 42 countries. The reported attacks included arrest, detention, enforced disappearance, harassment, violence and restrictions on the right to exercise the legal profession.

These concerns are not limited to national justice systems. Measures directed against judges, prosecutors, lawyers or court officials because of their lawful professional functions can weaken the effective functioning of international courts, discourage cooperation and create a chilling effect throughout the international justice system.

The real risk is not always the immediate collapse of institutions. It is often their gradual erosion through reduced cooperation, weakened trust, legal uncertainty and increasing politicisation. International justice may remain operational while becoming progressively more constrained and vulnerable.

The profession’s future will therefore be shaped by two parallel developments.

The first is technological transformation. Artificial intelligence and digital tools will change how legal work is organised and delivered. They can support research, case management and routine administrative work, allowing lawyers to devote more time to strategy, professional judgment and communication with clients.

The second is the continuing need to protect the human and institutional foundations of justice. Technology cannot replace professional independence, ethical responsibility, human understanding or the relationship of trust between lawyer and client.

Continuous professional training will consequently become even more important. The CCBE supports sustainable European funding for the training of lawyers, including education in European law, professional ethics, digitalisation and emerging technologies. Lawyers must have meaningful access to training if European rights are to be applied effectively and consistently.

Small and medium-sized law firms will continue to play an essential role. Their future will depend on their capacity to adopt technology responsibly, invest in cybersecurity and training, cooperate across borders and preserve one of their principal strengths: personal and trusted service to clients.

The lawyer of the future must therefore be technologically competent while remaining firmly guided by human judgment and professional ethics.

The profession is becoming more complex, but its fundamental mission remains unchanged: to protect rights, provide independent advice and ensure that no individual stands alone before public or private power.

Closing statement

The legal profession is undergoing profound transformation, but its essential mission remains constant. Lawyers must remain independent guardians of rights, trusted advisers to their clients and active defenders of the rule of law.

That responsibility does not end at national borders. International courts and tribunals are indispensable to a legal order in which disputes are resolved through law rather than coercion. Judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other professionals working within or alongside those institutions must be able to perform their lawful functions without intimidation, interference or fear of retaliation.

The protection of international justice is a shared responsibility. States must respect the independence of courts and comply in good faith with their international obligations. International institutions must protect the effective functioning of judicial bodies. The legal profession must defend the independence of courts and ensure that lawyers can perform their duties freely and safely.

The work of the CCBE demonstrates that the organised legal profession can transform principles into practical action. The Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, the CCBE’s contribution to European rule-of-law monitoring, its defence of lawyer-client confidentiality, its work on artificial intelligence and its support for international justice all pursue the same objective: justice that remains independent, accessible and human-centred.

Our challenge is not to resist change. It is to shape change in accordance with law, professional ethics and human dignity.

Ultimately, our commitment must be to a European and international legal order in which law prevails over power, courts remain independent and every lawyer can fulfil his or her professional duties without fear or improper interference.

MSc Roman Završek, LLM

President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe

The editorial team of Justice News247 WorldPress thanks Mr. President MSc Roman Završek, LLM, for his time and the rigor of his answers, reaffirming that, whenever needed, the editorial space remains open to support the fundamental values of justice and the rule of law.

Robert Williams

Editor in Chief