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...