Godt nytt år!

Happy New Year
Onnellista Uutta Vuotta

Bonne Annee

Prosit Neujahr

Forsælt komadi ár

Godt Nyttår

счастливого Нового года

Gott nytt år!

Felice anno nuovo

Feliz ano ~nuevo

Eydnurikt nyggjár

2012 Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

Advokatforeningens årstale 2012 - om bruk av sakkyndige i rettspleien

Advokatforeningens årstale er etatablert som en tradisjon. Årets tale ble holdt av Advokatforeningens leder Erik Keiserud torsdag 15.november 2012 . Ikke helt overraskende var bakteppet 22.juli-rettssaken og den massive debatt om de sakkyndiges rolle. Tittelen for årstalen var:

 Sakkyndighet i rettspleien - hjelp for dommeren eller fare for rettsikkerheten?

I sin tale redegjør Keiserud for utfordringene ved bruk av sakkyndige i rettssaker, og peker på mulige veier ut av uføre. En av de største utfordringer i dag er, i følge Advokatforeningen, at de sakkyndiges arbeid skjer i et rettsløst rom uten å være underlagt prosessuelle krav og prinsipper.

Advokatforeningen mener at det utredningsarbeid som er varslet på langt nær griper fatt i alle de problemstillinger som reises. Advokatforeningen vil derfor invitere Dommerforeningen og Riksadvokaten til et samarbeid med sikte på å få fjernet "den vilkårlige sakyndigheten" fra norske rettssaler.

Les hele talen her: Advokatforeningens årstale 2012

Advokatforeningen

Les også kommentarer i media:

Erik Keiseruds kronikk i Aftenposten

Vil ha tilregnlighetsutvalg raskt i gang (Aftenposten)

Ber om klarere sakkyndigeregler (NRK Nyheter)

Overtar multinasjonale advokatkontorer det nordiske marked?

Baker & McKenzie, Linklater og DLA Piper m.fl er allerede etablert i ett eller flere nordiske land. Hvilken betydning har det for advokatbransjen? Vil vi se en sentralisering rundt flere store internasjonale firmaer i årene som kommer?

I Sveriges Advokatsamfunds tidskrift Advokaten nr. 8 (nettutgaven) kommenteres i tre oppslag den konkurransesituasjon som møter svenske advokatfirmaer. Du kan lese disse her:

- Brobyggare – advokaterna som länkar samman världens länder

- Sagt om …

- De utländska jättarna som har Stockholmskontor

Inward Investment in Nordic countries?

When an investing company uses capital cross border to create a new foreign company, gains control of an existing enterprise or develops the business of an affiliated foreign company – it defines an inward investment. Add a greenfield development, and acquisition or joint venture or reinvestment in an existing venture, - however exclude portfolio investments where there is no management role.


What is the company seeking to acquire? Access to markets, location, supply, technology, competences and finance? 

Investor attractions probably is all about political and economic stability, market proximity, quality of relevant workforce, existing infrastructure and support services, costs – start-up and support services and minimum bureaucracy.

Have governments In Nordic countries established an infrastructure for inward investment?

To answer that question,look at a brilliant map presented by Legatum Institute. It gives an unique picture of welt and well-being in 142 countries: LINK

By incorporating traditional economic measures of prosperity with measures of well-being and life satisfaction, they have ranked the world according to major key drivers of national prosperity. Key drivers such as entrepreneurship and opportunity, effective and accountable government, and the rule of law.

The overall prosperity rank:  – Nordic countries among the Top Ten Countries: 

Norway 1st, Denmark 2nd and Sweden 3rd. Finland is 7th and Iceland 15th.

Trade, investment and entrepreneurship - welcome! 

Nordic-Baltic prime ministerial meeting in Helsinki

The Nordic Councils 64th Session 2012 started yesterday in Helsinki.


"The Nordic welfare model has shown its worth precisely by being able to withstand economic times of pressure and at the same time taking care of the vulnerable in society", said the Danish prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, in the meeting were the economic crisis was top of the agenda.

Follow the Nordic Council Session on you mobil. The mobil app contains the program, news, information about people and practical information. Pick upp the free app in App Store or Google Play.


Read more at Nordic cooperation

Nordic Law Blog - Audience

Pageviews by Countries

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Germany		8 %
Russia		6 %
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Netherlands		2 %
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La Norevége, eh? La Norvége!

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 is to be awarded to the European Union (EU). "The union and its forerunners have for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe" says the Noble Committee.

The Annoncement: Link Nobel Peace Prize

"The stabilizing part played by European Union has helped to transform a once-torn Europe from a continent of war to a contingent of peace." - Nobel committee chairman Thorbjørn Jagland.

José Manuel Barroso, head of the European commission: 

"At its origins, the European Union brought together nations emerging from the ruins of devastating world wars – which originated on this continent – and united them in a project for peace".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel:  a "wonderful decision".

Helmut Kohl: "The Nobel Peace Prize for the EU is above all a confirmation of the European peace project".

French President Francois Hollande: "immense honor".

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: "Certainly it is quite remarkable to see how unified and peaceful Europe is in the 21st Century, and that did not happen by coincidence. It happened because of the very hard work and dedication of leaders and citizens across Europe.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said: " The award of the Nobel Prize of Peace to the European Union reminds us that the EU i endlessly more than (interest-rate) spreads and bailot funds."

-------

Norway has twice voted "no" to joining the EU, in 1972 and 1994.

Reaksjoner på 22.juli kommisjonens rapporten

Mange kommentarer i nyhetene om hva som går galt når norske myndigheter skal administrere og gjennomføre noe. "Rapporten er en knusende dom over et regjeringsapparat med et oppsiktsvekkende sprik mellom ord og handling" sier politisk redaktør i Aftenposten, Harald Stanghelle. Det er veldig alvorlig når det er så mye som svikter når det gjelder ledelse og ansvar i det norske samfunn, fremholder ledende politikere. 

"Life of Jens: de offentlige kontorer diskuterer hva som skal gjøres med Grubbegata (video) " tvittrer næringslivsleder Johan H. Andresen:




Flere bloggere som følges av Nordic Law Blog har kommentert rapporten. Du kan lese fire av dem ved å trykke lenkene nedenfor, eller gå inn på blogglisten i høyre kolonne:

Torbjørn Aas 

Olav Torvund 

Maria Abrahamsson 

Jon Wessel-Aas



22. juli-dommen i engelsk oversettelse: http://bit.ly/QH5w3V #22juli

The Report of the 22 July Commission

The Report of the 22 July Commission - an independent commission mandated to review and learn from the terrorist attacks on the Government Complex in Oslo and on Utøya Island - was submitted to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on Monday 13.August.

"The 22 July Commission`s report is a milstone. It has put the facts on the table. It gives us a common understanding of what happended. It gives us a basis for learning. And most important, it gives us a basis for taking further action," said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The report and all underlying material will be awailable at the 22.July Commission website:

Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome

Minnekonsert på Rådhusplassen i Oslo ett år etter terrorhandlingene i Oslo og på Utøya 22.juli 2011. Bruce Springsteen & Little Steven på scenen i Oslo :

Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome

EUROPA - Holiday season: useful tips for a worry-free summer

EUROPA - Press Releases - Holiday season: useful tips for a worry-free summer:

The Roma - recommendations?

It seems to be deep-rooted and widespread prejudice among the Norwegian (and the European) population vis-à-vis Roma. Public discourse and media reporting tend to make a generalized link between Roma and criminality

• Read about Roma migrants in Europe: Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe

• News from Norway - NRK Nyheter  15.07. 2012 kl 19.49:

Aung San Suu Kyi: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture

TV-aksjonen 2012 | Amnesty International

Advokatforeningen støtter årets TV-aksjon «Stå opp mot urett!»,

Støtt opp om Amnesty - TV aksjonen 2012.

Amnestys arbeid handler om å skrape mer rettferdighet over hele verden, og tittelen på årets TV-aksjon er nettopp Rettferdighet.

Arbeidsområdene for midlene fra TV-aksjonen 2012 vil være:
• Rettferdighet for de som straffes for å bruke ytringsfriheten
• Rettferdighet for diskriminerte kvinner og minoriteter
• Rettferdighet for ofre etter selskapers brudd på menneskerettigheter
• Rettferdighet for ofre etter væpnede konflikter
• Rettferdige rettsystemer i Tunisia, Egypt og stater i Midtøsten

(Kilde: Foto og tekst Amnesty)

TV-aksjonen 2012 | Amnesty International

Recent developments in European Consumer Law: BEUC's 2020 vision

Recent developments in European Consumer Law: BEUC's 2020 vision: This month, BEUC, the European consumers' organisation, published its views on European consumer policy (available in English, French and G...

40,000 people singing "Barn av regnbuen" at Youngstorget, Oslo

 The trial of Anders Behring Breivik  http://nrk.no/227/

Discrimination: A woman’s lot

'Although increasing numbers of women and other "outsiders" become partners today, many continue to be locked into the profession's less prestigious specialisms and lower status positions and many leave the profession altogether.'

Hilary Sommerlad
Professor of SocioLegal Studies, Leicester School of Law

 

 

"Despite the number of women entering the legal profession, there remain few at the top and discrimination is rife, but private and public initiatives are addressing the issue. "

Read the article - IBA Global Insight April 2012

22.juli - saken.

Psychiatric report 10 April

The two appointed psychiatric experts, Agnar Aspaas and Terje Tørrisen, has been undertaking a second forensic psychiatric examination of the defendant. This report has been handed to the Oslo District Court today, tuesday April 10th at 1100 am. The experts' main conclusion is that the defendant Anders Breivik Behring is not considered psychotic at the time of action 22 July 2011.

The Oslo District Court has published a press release, containing the conclusion of the report:

 

PRESSEMELDING

"Sakkyndiges hovedkonklusjon er at tiltalte Anders Behring Breivik vurderes ikke psykotisk på handlingstidspunktet 22. juli 2011. Det innebærer at han er vurdert som tilregnelig på gjerningstiden.

De rettspsykiatriske sakkyndige Terje Tørrissen og Agnar Aspaas har i dag levert sin rettspsykiatriske rapport om tiltalte i terrorsaken på Utøya og i regjeringskvartalet, Anders Behring Breivik, til Oslo tingrett og partene i saken.

Dette er konklusjonen: De sakkyndige finner etter utført rettspsykiatrisk undersøkelse av Anders Behring Breivik f. 130279:

1. Observanden var ikke psykotisk, bevisstløs eller psykisk utviklingshemmet i høy grad (§ 44) på tiden for de påklagede handlinger.
2. Observanden har ikke en alvorlig psykisk lidelse med betydelig svekket evne til realistisk vurdering av sitt forhold til omverdenen, og han handlet ikke under en sterk bevissthetsforstyrrelse på tiden for de påklagede handlinger. Observanden er ikke lettere psykisk utviklingshemmet (§ 56 c).
3. Observanden var ikke psykotisk på tiden for undersøkelsene.
4. Mandatets punkt 7 utgår da de sakkyndige har konkludert negativt mht tilstander som omfattes av straffeloven § 44.
5. Det er høy risiko for gjentatte voldelige handlinger.

Rapporten skal nå vurderes av den rettsmedisinske kommisjon. Det forutsettes at kommisjonens vurdering foreligger i god tid før de sakkyndige skal vitne i rettssaken i juni.

Rapportens øvrige innhold er konfidensielt og kan derfor ikke kommenteres.

De sakkyndige har opplyst til retten at deres rapport er utarbeidet på grunnlag av saksdokumenter, egne samtaler, innhentede helseopplysninger og rapport fra tre ukers observasjon i institusjon etter reglene i straffeprosessloven § 167. De sakkyndige har gjennom hele prosessen vurdert motforestillinger og alternative forståelsesmåter. Konklusjonen er avgitt samstemmig."

http://www.domstol.no/no/Enkelt-domstol/22-7/Nyheter-om-227-saken/Sakkyndigrapport---Ikke-psykotisk-pa-handlingstidspunktet/

Glad påsk! God Påske! Happy Easter!

Nordens Dag 23.mars

Nordens Dag markeres 23.mars - dagen da Helsingforsavtalen ble inngått. Avtalen ble undertegnet 23.mars 1962 og danner grunnlaget for det nordiske samarbeidet. Helsingforsavtalen finner du her.

To jubileer i år - Nordisk råd blir 60 år och Helsingfors-avtalen fyller 50!

Introduktion til det officelle nordiske samarbeide:

From Norræna félagið :

The Norden Association- working for nordic co-operation
"The Norden Associations are the oldest organizations for promoting Nordic co-operation in all fields, officially as well as unofficially. Separate Norden Associations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden were founded in 1919. In 1922, in Iceland, and in 1924 in Finland. In 1951, a Nordic organization was set up on the Faroe Islands (an autonomous group of islands in the North Atlantic belonging to Denmark), and in 1979, on the Aland islands in the Baltic sea. They are under the administration of Finland. In 1991 the Norden association was established in Greenland (autonomous part of Denmark).

The Norden Association is a politically independent organization (NGO) with approximately 70 000 members throughout the nordic countries. The Federation of the Norden Associations is the umbrella organization for the Norden Associations. The aim of the Norden Association is to stimulate and improve Nordic co-operation at all levels, especially in the fields of education, culture, the labour market, industry, mass media, international aid and environmental care."

*****

Evaluering av politiets innsats 22. juli

Fra Politiets nettsid hitsettes:

"Politiets evalueringsutvalg etter 22. juli har overlevert sin rapport til politidirektøren. Utvalgets rapport viser at politiet ikke var dimensjonert for å håndtere alle utfordringene i kjølvannet av hendelsene i Oslo og på Utøya 22. juli. Samtidig viser rapporten at alle involverte tjenestepersoner gjorde sitt ytterste under et enormt press, i en ekstrem og uoversiktlig situasjon."

Last ned rapporten her: Politiet.no

Du kan lese Aftenpostens dekning her: Aftenposten

What we do - Reporters Without Borders:

Today is the World Day against Cyber Censorship! en.rsf.org/beset-by-onlin

Women on Company Boards - Policy Debate

Women's under-representation in company boardrooms:

"This is anachronistic and unacceptable, given that gender equality is a fundamental principle of the EU," says the Danish Presidency;

“Women account for 60 percent of new university graduates and 45 percent of the workforce in the EU, yet their participation in economic decision-making, including company boardrooms, remains disproportionately low. In 2010, women made up just under 12 per cent of board members in the largest publicly listed companies and around 3 per cent of board chairs. Between 2003 and 2010, the share of women in company boardrooms increased by just three percentage points and the share of female chairs only increased by a single percentage point.

Projections show that the share of women on the boards of major publicly listed companies in Europe will rise by around half a percentage point per year. At the present rate, it will take another half century before a reasonable balance is reached (at least 40% of each sex on company boards).

Meanwhile, a growing number of studies from different countries strongly suggest that there is a positive correlation between the percentage of women in senior positions and the economic and organizational performance of companies."

(State of play - from background note - Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union)

The Council will hold a policy debate on women on company boards. Ministers will discuss the issue on Friday, 17 Feb. Read more about the EU framework, the way forward and questions for the Ministers` debate: Link

In March 2012, the Commission will assess the situation.

Norges avtaler med EU - Priviligert partnerskap ?

Europautredningen - NOU 2012: 2 Utenfor og innenfor – Norges avtaler med EU - ble avgitt til utenriksministeren 17.januar i år.  Utvalgets mandat har vært å gjennomgå alle Norges avtaler med EU (ikke bare EØS) – dvs. politiske, rettslige, forvaltningsmessige, økonomiske og andre samfunnsmessige konsekvenser – på alle områder.

Privilegert partnerskap sies det i Brussel. EU-tilpasningen er jevnt stigende og lite kontroversiell skal vi tro utvalget. Det har vært en klar og konsistent europapolitikk med bred støtte fra flertallet i Stortinget fra 1994 til i dag, uavhengig av skiftende storting og regjeringer. Norge har overtatt ¾ av substansen i EU-samarbeidet sammenlignet med de 17 EU-landene som i dag deltar i alt.

Og - EU-tilpasningen har ivaretatt norske interesser og verdier på en god måte.

NOU har blitt stor – 4 deler, 28 kapitler. De tre hovedspørsmål for utredningen:

1)      EU-avtalenes omfang og innhold

2)      EU-avtalenes utvikling og drivkrefter

3)      EU-avtalenes konsekvenser for norsk politikk og samfunnsliv

Samlet sett utgjør avtaleverket Norges viktigste utenrikspolitiske avtaleverk. EU-avtalene omfatter forholdet til EU og til de 27 EU statene. Samtidig viser utvalget til de omfattende innenrikspolitiske virkninger av avtalene. Norge er europeisert og langt tettere knyttet til EU enn de fleste er klar over. Utvalget har tatt for seg de avtaler vi er med på – ikke de vi ikke er med på (for eksempel Euro, deler av landbrukspolitikken, deler av fiskeripolitikken, menneskerettighetene, bistandsarbeidet mv.)

Utviklingen i tilknytningen til EU går langs flere akser:

1)      Nye avtaler med EU

2)      Nye land inn i avtalene (geografisk utvidelse)
3)      Nye rettsakter med mer

4)      Tolking og praktisering av eksisterende avtaler

5)      Ensidig norsk tilpasning til EU utenfor avtalene.

EØS avtalen er en "Open endend delegation". Den er dynamisk og det skal den være. 

Det skal fremmes en Stortingsmelding til neste år. Meldingen er nå sendt på høring.

Det har vært lite kunnskap og debatt om EU i Norge. Utvalgets ambisjon har vært å gjøre norsk europadebatt mer kunnskapsorientert og realitetsorientert.

Les mer her (europautredningen.no)

Sverige och de mänskliga rätti... - Medfarm Play - Uppsala univeresitet

Sverige och de mänskliga rätti... - Medfarm Play - Uppsala univeresitet

De mänskliga rättigheterna – Lær mer!

De mänskliga rättigheterna gäller för alla och envar. De slår fast att alla människor är födda fria och lika - i värde och rättigheter. De är universella - gäller över hela världen, oavsett land, kultur eller sammanhang.

Les ny uppdaterad upplaga av informationsskrift FN:s konventioner om mänskliga rättigheter.

Fra Førord:

”Det internationella arbetet för mänskliga rättigheter tar sin utgångspunkt i FN:s allmänna förklaring om de mänskliga rättigheterna från 1948. De rättigheter som inryms i förklaringen har senare förts in och vidareutvecklats i ett antal konventioner som är bindande för de anslutna staterna. En stor majoritet av världens länder har anslutit sig till konventionerna. Tillsammans utgör de ett universellt ramverk för arbetet med de mänskliga rättigheterna.”

Informationsskriften innehåller de svenska översättningarna av FN:s allmänna förklaring om de mänskliga rättigheterna och de sju centrala FN-konventionerna och deras fakultativa protokoll på området.

·         Internationell konvention om medborgerliga och politiska rättigheter

·         Internationell konvention om ekonomiska, sociala och kulturella rättigheter

·         Internationell konvention om avskaffande av alla former av rasdiskriminering

·         Konvention om avskaffande av all slags diskriminering av kvinnor 50

·         Konvention mot tortyr och annan grym, omänsklig

·         Konvention om barnets rättigheter 90

·         Konvention om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning

Mer information om mänskliga rättigheter finns på www.manskligarattigheter.se  och på FN:s högkommissaries webbplats.

What are the benefits and risks of social media? What is the purpose of a social media policy?

Social media are an increasingly popular and growing area. As such, The Law Society belives that it is important for the profession to keep up-to-date with developments in social media. Social media present real opportunities if harnessed effectively.

The purpose of the Law Societys practice note about Social Media is to facilitate an understanding of social media in the profession and provide guidance to individuals and practices engaged in social media activity.They represent the Law Society's view of good practice.

Althoug these practice notes are issued for the use and benefit of its members, they may be of interest for other professionals as well.

Practice notes are issued by the Law Society which represents solicitors in England and Wales:
                
                    Read the Social media practice note

Independence of the legal profession

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the American Bar Association (ABA) have written a letter to the  International Monetary Fund to convey the growing concern about disturbing trends affecting the independence of the legal profession - particularly in Greece, Ireland and Portugal - following the the economic crisis and the intervention of the Troika.:

December 21, 2011

Christine Lagarde

Managing Director

International Monetary Fund

700 19th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20431

Dear Ms. Lagarde,

We write to you on behalf of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the American Bar Association (ABA) to convey our growing concern about disturbing trends affecting the independence of the legal profession. An independent legal profession is a critical component of a well-functioning judiciary and is the keystone of a democratic society based on the rule of law. Pressure to undermine the independence of the legal profession is not only a matter of concern to lawyers and judges, but to people everywhere as this independence is critical to the fair and equal protection of human rights, the development of healthy economies, and the facilitation of political stability.

The CCBE is the representative organization of around 1 million European lawyers through its member bars and law societies from 31 full member countries, and 11 further associate and observer countries. The ABA is the world’s largest voluntary professional organization, with a membership of almost 400,000 lawyers (including a broad cross-section of attorneys), judges, and law students worldwide. The ABA continuously works to improve the American system of justice and to advance the rule of law in the world.

We have followed with great concern over the past year the developments that have taken place in a number of European countries - Greece, Ireland and Portugal - where the economic crisis and the intervention of the Troika have led Governments to propose radical reforms of the legal profession.

We are aware of the difficult times that countries are facing, and also of the need for reforms. Bars and Law Societies around the world have always been open to reform: they follow very closely societal, economic and any other changes within their own countries and worldwide, evaluate the impact of these changes on the profession and take the necessary steps to adapt. The current developments, however, go beyond what we would consider proportionate and necessary reforms, and they also raise fundamental questions of compliance with international norms. The proposed reforms are plainly inconsistent with the Core Principles of the Legal Profession - as reflected in the CCBE Charter of Core Principles and as adopted by the ABA House of Delegates in 2006 - that commits the legal profession to "An independent legal profession, without which there is no rule of law or freedom for the people."

In response to the Troika requests, the Irish Government, for instance, approved the publication on 4 October 2011 of a new Legal Services Regulation Bill. The Bill provides for far-reaching changes and reforms which are unprecedented in Europe and the United States. Most importantly, it calls for the establishment of an Independent Regulator - the Regulator will consist of 11 members: 7 non-lawyers, 2 representatives from the Bar Council and 2 representatives from the Law Society. All 11 representatives will be appointed by the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Defense. The Government may also at any time remove a member if the member’s approval appears to be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the Authority. The new Authority will have all powers of regulation including conduct, discipline and complaints handling.

In our view, the establishment of the Regulator will be in clear breach of one of the core principles of the legal profession: regulation independent from the executive branch of the state - a principle recognised in Europe, the United States, and internationally. It is the cornerstone of any democratic society based on the rule of law and also necessary for the sound administration of justice.

We are convinced that without a guarantee of independence - which is fundamental to the profession - it is impossible for lawyers to fulfill their professional and legal role.

Self-regulation is characteristic for the legal profession in Europe. No country has total and unrestricted self-regulation of the legal profession. However, there is in all European countries that are members of the CCBE a significant extent of self-regulation. In the United States, there is in general regulation by the courts, which similarly satisfies the principle of independence from executive regulation.

We believe that independent regulation, conceptually, must be seen as a logical and natural consequence of the independence of the profession. It addresses the collective independence of the members of the legal profession and is nothing less than a structural defense of the independence of the individual lawyer, which requires a lawyer to be free from improper influence, especially such as may arise from his/her personal interests or external pressure (including government pressure).

Important developments are also taking place in Greece and Portugal that have caused concern. Although we still need to analyze all these proposals thoroughly and in detail (and we are expecting further information from the Bars and Law Societies affected), we are concerned that initiatives are being taken based on a purely economic approach. We are of the impression that these proposals have been developed within a few weeks without taking account of the purpose/justification of professional regulation and without analyzing the impact of such proposals on the administration of justice.

We are seriously concerned that all these developments will lead to an erosion of the administration of justice. They will not only affect the structure of the legal profession and the lawyer’s role in society, but most importantly will be to the detriment of all people who are in need of a lawyer.

Your own experience as a partner in a multinational law firm no doubt carried important lessons regarding the need for protection of the lawyer-client relationship against intrusion by the state and for safeguarding the independence of a lawyer’s decision making to protect the rights and liberties of even unpopular clients and causes. We urge you to pass on our concerns to the relevant people within the International Monetary Fund, and within the Troika more generally, so that these considerations can be taken into account in further negotiations with the relevant countries.

We would be very interested in having an opportunity to discuss these issues in person with you or your staff.

Yours sincerely,

Georges-Albert Dal Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III

CCBE President ABA President 

A New Year, a new EU presidency

Presentation of the Danish Presidency's priorities

Denmark has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The main priorities are
* A responsible Europe (putting national economies into order)
* A dynamic Europe (stimulating growth and innovation)    
* A green Europe (setting the example for the rest of the world)
* A safe Europe (tackling migration and international crime)

(Source: European Commision)

SEC Hauls Fannie, Freddie into Court

Also watch:

WSJ law reporter Ashby Jones stops on Mean Street to discuss the SEC's suit brought against former Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac chief executives.
http://online.wsj.com/video/sec-hauls-fannie-freddie-into-court/C3B4F0F3-0ABD-4823-B6E2-786E9A88BCFB.html

BBC News - London Fireworks on New Year's Day 2012 - New Year Live - Ful...