On 21 November 2025, a hybrid, bi-annual meeting was held between the Court and national bar associations, organised with the assistance of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), to discuss issues concerning the functioning of the Convention system and practical questions relating to the Court’s working methods.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-President of the Court and judge elected in respect of Norway, Arnfinn Bårdsen, acknowledged the CCBE’s valuable contributions as a third-party intervener in various cases over the years and emphasised the fundamental role that lawyers and bar associations play in upholding the rule of law.

He also mentioned the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, which opened for signature earlier this year, noting that it is the first international, legally binding instrument dedicated to protecting the free and independent exercise of the legal profession.

The Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Registry, noting that the meeting underscored the essential role and involvement of legal professionals in the Convention system. In her speech, she offered a retrospective view of the evolution of the Convention and the Court’s work in recent years, and, looking forward, elaborated on the topic of digitisation and the use of new technologies by courts, highlighting a common thread of “the importance of exchanging ideas with and listening to our external stakeholders in order to help us determine the best way forward.”

Following the opening remarks by Vice-President Bårdsen, Registrar Tsirli, and Thierry Wickers, President of the CCBE, the participants discussed three topics: how applicants can assist the Court; the non-contentious phase, 12 weeks after a case is first communicated to the Government; and the Court’s digital strategy.

Darian Pavli, judge elected in respect of Albania; Saadet Yüksel, judge elected in respect of Türkiye; Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, judge elected in respect of Ireland; Marialena Tsirli, Registrar; Klaudiusz Ryngielewicz, Section Registrar; and Hasan Bakırcı, Section Registrar, contributed to the discussions on behalf of the Court, alongside CCBE speakers.

This was the third such meeting between the Court and national bar associations, held in a biannual format.