International conference kicks off in Yerevan with participation of presidents of the Chambers of Advocates of France, Russia, Georgia and Armenia and the Deputy Minister of Justice

Deputy Minister of Justice Grigor Minasyan delivered an opening speech at the international conference entitled “Advocacy in the Context of Integration Processes: Perspectives and Challenges” and held with the participation of the presidents of the Chambers of Advocates of Armenia, Russia, Georgia and Hauts-de-Seine. The international conference was organised by the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.

The Deputy Minister attached importance to the role of advocacy as an international institution for human rights protection and noted that the ongoing reforms being implemented in the field of advocacy are one of the standing priorities of the Government. This is evidenced by the 2021-2026 Programme of the Government, according to which the Government will take measures to develop the field of advocacy, including within the framework of reinterpretation of the mechanisms for teaching and admission at the School of Advocates, as well as effectiveness of management and transformation of inclusiveness of the Chamber of Advocates.

Grigor Minasyan emphasised that the fact that the reforms in the field of advocacy are distinguished as a separate strategic goal in the 2022-2026 Strategy on Judicial-Legal Reforms is also an indicator for attaching importance to the reforms in the field of advocacy.

At the same time, the Deputy Minister attached importance to the idea of being a part of all apolitical and political processes of the Chamber of Advocates.

Summing up his speech, Minasyan highlighted that the Government, represented by the Ministry of Justice which co-ordinates the field, and the Chamber of Advocates have jointly developed a project targeted at reforms in the field of advocacy which arises from the goals stipulated by the Strategy, including the ideas of enhancing mechanisms for the provision of gratuitous legal aid (pro bono), expanding the role of the board of the Chamber and establishing a disciplinary commission.