July 18, 2023
On July 13th, Rogério Alves was interviewed by the President of the Lisbon Regional Council, João Massano, on the podcast, “Conversations with Residents”, and discussed various aspects of the changes that the Government wants to promote to the Statute of the Bar Association.
Some aspects of this interview are highlighted:
He considered the criticisms of corporatism directed at the Order to be unfounded. If the Order were corporate, the lawyers would be 5 thousand and not 35 thousand.
Refuted the use of trade union language (phrases such as “let's go Paralyze justice”), because this will give strength and strength to those who want to associate the Order with trade unionism
He recalled that it is the lawyers who fight for the independence of the judiciary.
Considered self-regulation and the defense of professional secrecy: conditions essential for the defense of the democratic rule of law.
He expressed full support for the fairness of the internship's remuneration.
But he noticed that by establishing an amount that cannot be paid by many lawyers, it ends up generating a Numerus Clausus. There will be much less availability of good patrons, who would be great patrons, which will create difficulties for those who want to attend the internship.
He warned of the danger of lawyers losing their independence, with their intended transformation into employees, which is a terrible symptom for the independence of those who practice law.
Considered that the Pension Fund for Lawyers and Solicitors it guarantees the independence of lawyers. If there are aspects to be corrected, those corrections should be made, but without losing this pillar of independence.
Reaffirmed that legal consultation must be provided by independent and qualified lawyers, subject to disciplinary scrutiny and deontological control.
Denounced the Government's desire to devitalize the Orders.
Did you consider the forecast Provider um”Utensil”.
It repudiated the will of the State to approve regulations of the Order.
Considered the proposed Supervisory Board like an aberrant, offensive, inappropriate and very dangerous organ, to be formed by a group of people who, without doing anything, will rule everything. The Order will now be subject to “tutoring”, in a kind of “regime for the most accompanied”.
About Ase multidisciplinary societies, Rogério Alves also has clear ideas: While it certainly does not attract your sympathy, he admits that the model of multidisciplinary societies may have some advantage when it comes to the range of services it can provide to the client. Knowing that this is a reality close to irreversible, Rogério Alves calls for, at least,”Let's be aware of the risks”: professional secrecy and incompatibilities. Behaviors must conform to principles.
In short, from the perspective of the interviewee, this proposed law does not solve any problem and creates, instead, several problems.
Consult one of links to access the Podcast:
Listen at https://open.spotify.com/show/24TJ22BgEUiyLc4XWc8mOr
Or check it out https://youtu.be/T3_eJYnlUL8
