CCBE

What is the CCBE?

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is the representative organisation of more than 700,000 European lawyers through its member bars and law societies from 31 full member countries, and six further observer countries. The CCBE is recognised as the voice of the European legal profession by the national bars and law societies on the one hand, and by the EU institutions on the other. It acts as the liaison between the EU and Europe's national bars and law societies. Visit www.ccbe.eu.

How does it work?

A president and three vice presidents are elected for one-year terms. There is a full-time secretary general, who manages the day-to-day affairs of the organisation through a secretariat based in Brussels. All the national bars and law societies of the twenty-seven members of the European Union and of the three members of the European Economic Area (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) are full members of the CCBE, together with Switzerland. 

Newsletter

A CCBE newsletter is published quarterly - read the latest news.

How is the Irish Profession represented in Europe?

Permanent delegates

  • Law Society - Cormac Little, Current Head of Delegations and Representative

  • The Bar Council - Paul McGarry (Representative), David Conlan Smyth (Representative), Ciara Murphy (Information Officer).

Delegates to CCBE Committees

  • Access to Justice - Alma Clissmann (LS).
  • Anti-Money Laundering -  Mary Keane (LS)
  • Brexit Task Force - Cormac Little (LS) and Paul McGarry (Bar)
  • Convention on the Lawyer's Profession - Patrick Ambrose (LS)
  • European Private Law - Paul Keane (LS)
  • Family Law - Keith Walsh (LS)
  • Free Movement of Lawyers - TP Kennedy (LS)
  • Human Rights Law - Alma Clissmann (LS)
  • I.T. Law - Greg Ryan (LS)
  • Migration - David Conlan-Smyth (Bar)
  • Permanent Delegation to the CJEU, the GC and EFTA Courts - Paul McGarry (Bar)
  • Tax - John Cuddigan (LS) and Olivia Long (LS)
  • Training - TP Kennedy (LS)

For further information, contact Suzanne Crilly.