Law Society of Northern Ireland hosts major event celebrating international commitment to protecting legal professionals
The Law Society of Northern Ireland was proud to host a significant ceremonial event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on Tuesday to mark the Opening of Signature of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer and the formal promotion of the Society’s Rule of Law Pledge.
The Convention, the first of its kind, aims to safeguard lawyers and their professional associations from threats, harassment, and other forms of interference that hinder the free and independent exercise of their duties. Developed in response to increasing political and public rhetoric linking lawyers to the causes of their clients, the Convention reinforces the importance of the legal profession’s independence in maintaining justice and the rule of law.
Opening the ceremony, Law Society President Colin Mitchell stated:
“The Society strongly welcomes the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyers, which is vitally important in sending a clear message: that lawyers must be free to work without intimidation, harassment, violence or interference. The protection of lawyers is not a privilege: it is a necessity. Together, the Pledge and the Convention form a powerful framework nationally and internationally, reinforcing the shared responsibility to protect lawyers and uphold the rule of law.”
The ceremony brought together members of the legal profession, the judiciary, government, academia, and civil society in a show of unity and resolve to defend the foundations of a democratic legal order.
The Lady Chief Justice formally welcomed guests and underscored the profound significance of the event for legal professionals across Northern Ireland and beyond. Justice Minister Naomi Long delivered a keynote address in which she reaffirmed her support for the legal profession and condemned recent instances of threats and harassment directed at solicitors.
“As the first elected representative to have signed the pledge,” Minister Long said, “I am pleased to reaffirm my commitment to the legal profession. There have been a number of cases recently where solicitors have been victims of harassment and threatening behaviour simply for doing their jobs; this is unacceptable and highlights the importance of this convention. At a time when loud and influential voices are setting up a false opposition between the law and the will of the people, or when valuable legal advocacy is misrepresented as politically motivated activism, this is an opportunity for us to take a stand and say again that the rule of law is a principle that we will stand by and defend. And in doing so we will stand by and defend legal professionals.”
The event continued with remarks from Stewart Dickson MLA, representing the Council of Europe, who placed the Convention in its broader international context and commended Northern Ireland’s commitment to legal protections. The Chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors' Association, Emma Falloon, gave a brief but powerful address highlighting the importance of legal protections for emerging professionals and the next generation of lawyers.
The formal signing ceremony followed, marking the official opening of signature of the Convention. This was accompanied by the signing of the Law Society’s Rule of Law Pledge—a local initiative that complements the Convention by inviting individuals and institutions to publicly commit to upholding six key principles: Independence, Responsibility, Fairness, Balance and Impartiality, Transparency, and Accuracy.
A group photo opportunity concluded the ceremony, capturing the moment of unity and solidarity among signatories and participants.
This landmark event not only celebrated a historic international legal instrument but also reaffirmed the Law Society’s long-standing commitment to defending the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law at home and abroad. By combining the international ratification with the Society’s own Rule of Law Pledge, the Law Society hopes to inspire renewed respect for legal ethics, human rights, and the core democratic values that underpin justice systems across Europe.
You can access the Rule of Law Pledge below. For further information, photos or media inquiries, please contact: policy@lawsoc-ni.org
