A European lawyer, beyond the self-evident definition of 'a lawyer in Europe', also refers to a specific definition introduced by the UK's European Communities (Services of Lawyers) Order 1978, which permits lawyers from other EU member states to practice law within the UK, in accordance with EU directive 77/249/EEC.
The term EU lawyer is also used in UK law.
The order contains a list of countries of origin and the designations which the order applies to for example a professional "entitled to pursue his professional activities""Annex 10A European Communities (Services of Lawyers) Order 1978" such as an "advokat" in Finland, may practice Europe-wide as a "European lawyer".
The order also imposes temporary limitations on the types of legal work which may be carried out by such persons. Lawyers from other European countries practicing in the UK must be associated with appropriate co-counsel and upon demand by a competent authority they must verify their status.
After a possible temporary limitation such as the aforementioned, EU lawyers may acquire and use the title of the country they reside and work in, usually after three years of practice under the title of origin (and possible restrictions) or after an examination that confirms equivalence. The choice is up to the professional, not the bar or country.
Professions Applicable to EU Order The full list of professions to whom the title 'European Lawyer' is applicable follows;
+ Professions recognised under EU Order Country Profession Duration of legal education Austria Rechtsanwalt 4-5 year degree + 5 years of training + exam Belgium Avocat 5 year degree + 3 years of training + examArticle 434 Judicial Code see https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=nl&la=N&cn=1967101002&table_name=wet , and https://www.ordevanvlaamsebalies.be/nl/fetch-asset?path=files/Advocaat.be-documenten/Codex-Deontologie-versie-update-tot-BS-2023-08-16.pdf Advocaat Rechtsanwalt Bulgaria Advokat Cyprus Dikegόros Croatia Odvjetnik 5 year degree + + 3 year legal traineeship + exam Czech Republic Advokát 5 year degree + 3 year legal traineeship + examBruno Nascimbene, Elisabetta Bergamini: The Legal Profession in the European Union, Kluwer Law International, 2009, p. 81 Denmark Advokat 5 year degree Estonia Vandeadvokaat Finland Asianajaja 5-6 year degree Advokat France Avocat 4 year degree + exam + lawyer school during 18 months + exam Germany Rechtsanwalt 5-6 year degree + exam + 2 year legal traineeship + exam Greece Dikegόros 4 year degree + 18 months legal traineeship + exam Hungary ügyvéd 5 year degree + 3 years of legal traineeship + exam Iceland lögmaður Ireland Solicitor Solicitor vs. Barrister distinction, university or practical experience paths Barrister Italy Avvocato 5 year degree + 1.5 year legal traineeship + exam Latvia Zvērināts Latvia Advokāts Liechtenstein Rechtsanwalt No law school; recognition of Austrian and Swiss law degrees. Lithuania Advokatas Luxembourg Avocat No local law school until recently; recognition of other EU law degrees and supplementary course in local law + final exam (avoué) Rechtsanwalt Malta Avukat 5 year degree + 1 year practice + exam Prokuratur Legali Netherlands Advocaat 4-5 year degree + 3 years training + exam Norway Advokat Poland Adwokat 5 year degree + entry bar exam + 3 years of bar association training and mandatory professional work + bar exam Radca Prawny Portugal Advogado 4 or 5 year degree + exam + bar association training and mandatory professional internship and exams (up to 2 years) Romania Avocat Slovakia Advokát Master's degree + 3-5 year apprenticeship + exam Advokátka Slovenia Odvetnik Odvetnica Spain Abogado 5 years and a half degree + exam Advocat Abokatu Abogado Sweden Advokat 4-5 year degree Switzerland Rechtsanwalt Anwalt Fürsprecher Fürsprech Avocat Avvocato Advokat United Kingdom Solicitor England and Wales: 3 year degree + 0.5-1 year LPC + 2-year training contract
Scotland: 3-4 year degree + 1 year Diploma + 2-year training contract Barrister (England and Wales) / Advocate (Scotland)England and Wales: 3 year degree + 1 year BPTC + 1 year pupillage
Scotland: 3-4 year degree + 1 year Diploma + experience in a solicitor's office + pupillage + exam
See also Counsel List of European countries
Notes