The Department of Justice is currently analysing the new Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer with a view to Ireland signing it in May, a spokesperson told Irish Legal News.

The Law Society of Ireland has said it strongly supports the adoption of the Convention, which was drafted in response to increasing reports of attacks on the legal profession.

Solicitor Claire Loftus, who served as Ireland’s director of public prosecutions from 2011 until 2021, was one of the 15 members of the expert committee which drafted the treaty.

The Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe last month and will open for signature on 13 May, on the occasion of the Council of Europe foreign affairs ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.

At least eight countries, including six member states of the Council of Europe, must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force. Compliance will be monitored by an expert group and a committee of the parties.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice told Irish Legal News: “The minister for justice welcomes the adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 12 March 2025. 

“The Convention is the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting the profession of lawyer. It will help to support lawyers in promoting the rule of law with the aim of facilitating access to justice for all.

“The Convention will be opened for signature on 13 May at the Council of Europe Ministerial being held in Luxembourg. 

“The Department is undertaking its analysis of the Convention and it is intended that Ireland will be in a position to sign the Convention in May.”

A spokesperson for the Law Society of Ireland added: “The Law Society of Ireland welcomes this strengthening of the protection of lawyers across Europe. Through our long-standing engagement with the CCBE, we have strongly supported the adoption of this Convention.

“For the Convention to become effective, each member of the Council of Europe — including Ireland — will soon be invited to begin the process of ratification.

“The Law Society looks forward to seeing Ireland take this important step.”