Federation Barreaux d'Europe

🏛️ Call for Hosting FBE Commissions (2026–2028)

The FBE Presidency has officially launched the call for applications from Member Bars wishing to host an FBE Commission for the next two year term, beginning after the General Assembly in Antalya on 17 October 2026.

Hosting an FBE Commission is an opportunity to take an active role in shaping the work of the Federation, strengthen international cooperation and contribute to addressing the key challenges facing the legal profession across Europe.

The call covers both existing commissions and several new commissions, including:

⚖️ Rule of Law
⚖️ Civil Law
⚖️ Criminal Law
⚖️ Business Law
⚖️ Labour Law
⚖️ Migration
⚖️ Environmental Law
⚖️ Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession

Member Bars interested in hosting a commission are invited to submit their application to the FBE Commissions Secretariat by 10 October 2026. Applications should include the proposed commission, a work programme for the upcoming two year period and confirmation that the Bar will host and support the commission in accordance with the FBE Statutes.

Further information, together with the full list of commissions and application requirements, is available at www.fbe.org.

We encourage all Member Bars to take this opportunity to contribute to the future development of the European legal profession.

Lawyers BarAssociations LegalCommunity

The June issue of the FBE Bulletin features an interview with Professor İbrahim Ö. Kaboğlu, Dean of the Istanbul Bar Association.

In this insightful conversation, Professor Kaboğlu discusses the role of the Istanbul Bar Association in defending the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights and safeguarding the independence of the legal profession. He also reflects on the proceedings brought against the Bar’s leadership and the broader challenges facing lawyers in Türkiye.

The interview is a powerful reminder that the independence of lawyers is an essential pillar of the rule of law and that international solidarity among bar associations is more important than ever.

Throughout these challenging times, the FBE has stood firmly alongside the Istanbul Bar Association. FBE representatives have attended hearings concerning the Bar’s leadership and lawyers facing prosecution, demonstrating our shared commitment to judicial independence, fundamental rights and the independence of the legal profession.

We warmly encourage you to read this important interview.

The full interview is available in the June issue of the FBE Bulletin on the ⁠FBE website and can be accessed directly here: ⁠FBE Bulletin No. 3/2026 (PDF).

Lawyers HumanRights

The Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE) was honoured to be represented by its Second Vice President, Patrick A. Dillen, at the Dia de l’Advocacia Catalana and the 13th edition of the Premi Valors, organised by the Council of the Catalan Bar Associations and the Barcelona Bar Association ( ).

The event celebrated individuals and organisations whose work embodies the values of the legal profession, human rights and social justice. Among this year’s honourees were Francesca Albanese and the International Criminal Court Bar Association.

The FBE warmly congratulates all award recipients and thanks the organisers for their commitment to promoting the values that unite the European legal profession.

LegalProfession

Strengthening cooperation between the FBE and the Rome Bar Association 🇮🇹🤝🇪🇺

FBE President Rajko Marić Rajko M. Marić | Honorary Consul paid an official visit to the Rome Bar Association, where he was warmly welcomed by its President, Avv. Alessandro Graziani, and Consigliere Tesoriere Avv. Paolo Voltaggio.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE) and the Rome Bar Association, while exploring new opportunities for future collaboration. The representatives of the Rome Bar Association also expressed their appreciation for the work and ongoing initiatives of the FBE, reaffirming the value of close cooperation among European legal institutions.

The FBE extends its sincere gratitude to the Rome Bar Association for its exceptional hospitality and the warm welcome at the historic Palazzo di Giustizia in Piazza Cavour. The meeting reflected a shared commitment to friendship, professional dialogue and stronger international cooperation.

Special thanks to FBE First Vice President Michele Calantropo Michele Calantropo for facilitating this visit and for his invaluable contribution to strengthening cooperation between the FBE and the Rome Bar Association.

📅 SAVE THE DATE!

The Presidency of the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE), together with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (UTBA), is pleased to invite representatives of bars, law societies and Amici to the FBE Intermediate Meeting, taking place in Antalya from 15 to 17 October 2026.

Join colleagues from across Europe for three days of professional exchange, insightful discussions and international cooperation.

More information, including the programme and registration details, will be announced soon.

Stay updated by following www.fbe.org.

We look forward to welcoming you to Antalya!

🇪🇺 During the visit to the Hague Bar Association, FBE President Rajko Marić also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA), including Mr. Dominic Kennedy and fellow members of the Board.

Building on the existing cooperation agreement between the FBE and the ICCBA, it has been agreed that the two organisations will further strengthen their collaboration, initially through joint initiatives in education, professional training and the exchange of expertise.

⚖️ The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both organisations to promoting excellence within the legal profession through closer international cooperation.

On behalf of the FBE, President Rajko Marić expresses his sincere appreciation to the ICCBA colleagues for their warm hospitality and generous welcome.

⚖️ The independence of lawyers is the foundation of the rule of law.

The Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE) has joined an international statement calling for the immediate release of lawyers Semra Demir, Kürşat Bafra and Doğa İncesu, who were detained in Turkey following coordinated early morning police raids.

The reported circumstances of their detention, including restrictions on access to legal counsel and limitations on defence rights, raise serious concerns regarding due process, the right to a fair trial, and the independence of the legal profession.

Together with bar associations and legal organisations from across Europe and beyond, FBE calls on the Turkish authorities to:

🔹 Immediately release the detained lawyers.
🔹 Guarantee full access to legal counsel and case files.
🔹 Respect the independence of the legal profession.
🔹 Uphold the fundamental rights to defence and a fair trial.

Lawyers must be able to carry out their professional duties freely, independently and without intimidation. Protecting lawyers means protecting the rule of law and access to justice for all.

FBE stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Turkey.

FBE StandWithLawyers Turkey

⚖️ International Fair Trial Day 2026, Budapest

Michele Calantropo, First Vice President of the FBE, and Sara Chandler, Secretary of the FBE Human Rights Commission, represented the Federation of European Bars at the International Fair Trial Day held in Budapest from 17 to 19 June, commemorating Ebru Timtik, the Turkish lawyer who lost her life while defending the right to a fair trial.

This year’s Ebru Timtik Award was presented to Hungarian lawyer Gábor Iványi. The Jury recognised his decades long commitment to supporting vulnerable and marginalised communities, including people living in poverty, Roma communities, refugees, homeless persons, children, and persons with disabilities.

The Jury highlighted that his work goes far beyond advocacy. Through the institutions he has built and led, he has created tangible networks of solidarity and support for those most in need, while facing significant pressure as a consequence of his commitment to human rights and social justice.

The participation of the First Vice President of the FBE and the Secretary of the FBE Human Rights Commission reflects the Federation’s continued commitment to human rights, judicial independence, the rule of law, and the right to a fair trial.

Congratulations to Gábor Iványi on this well deserved recognition.

📢 Join us tomorrow for an FBE Access to Justice Commission webinar organised in cooperation with the Versailles Bar Association.

The webinar will focus on access to justice for minors, juvenile criminal justice systems, and the protection of minors in conflicts involving their parents, offering a comparative law perspective from across Europe.

🗓️ 23 June 2026
⏰ 12:00–14:00 (Paris time)
💻 Online via Zoom

Speakers:
⚖️ Alexandra Lecoq (Versailles Bar, France)
⚖️ Michele Lucherini (Lucca Bar, Italy)
⚖️ Elena Picchetti (Lucca Bar, Italy)
⚖️ Mengü Gökçe (Ankara Bar, Türkiye)
⚖️ Peter Cadman (London, England)

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82522157558?pwd=N2Gf0HbETBiLN4hBjjj45jQOwpVGtC.1

Meeting ID: 825 2215 7558

Passcode: 968761

We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across Europe to this important discussion on children’s rights and access to justice.

EuropeanLawyers

🇪🇺 The FBE is honoured to be represented at the Closing Ceremony of the Hague Bar (Sluitingszittingsdagen Haagse Orde), a key annual gathering of the legal community in The Hague.

The event brings together legal professionals to reflect on the defence of the rule of law and the essential role lawyers play in protecting access to justice, judicial independence and fundamental rights. At a time when democratic institutions face increasing challenges worldwide, these discussions are more important than ever.

FBE is represented by President Rajko Marić, Second Vice President Patrick Dillen and former FBE Vice President Bas Martens, member and former Dean of the Hague Bar.

Our sincere thanks to Hague Bar President Inge Aardoom, Vice President Bob Kaarls and the Hague Bar for their warm welcome and excellent organisation of this important event.

⚖️ Defending the rule of law is more than a professional responsibility. It is fundamental to preserving free and democratic societies.