Lawyers play key role in safeguarding election integrity

As we celebrate the opening of the legal year, lawyers representing 65 organisations will convene in the UK to honour the pivotal role that the legal sector plays in safeguarding the rule of law during elections.

With only half of the countries in the world enjoying free and fair elections*, it is now more important than ever for the legal profession and justice system to ensure that the rules governing the integrity of elections are respected.

The opening of the legal year event today (30 September), hosted by the Law Society and the Bar Council, shines a light on the function of the legal profession in elections.

This comes as more than 80 countries undergo the electoral process this year, with more than half of the world’s population going to the polls.

Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said:

“We are delighted to welcome bar associations and law societies from around the world to mark the opening of the legal year in England and Wales.

"With billions participating in the electoral process this year, the legal profession plays a vital role in safeguarding the cornerstone of democracy - the rules regarding free and fair elections.

“As independent bodies, we must maintain political neutrality. Our legal profession is made up of individuals across the political spectrum, united by an interest in the legal system, rule of law and access to justice.”

Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, Sam Townend KC, said:

“During the UK general election, we set out frankly and robustly the extent of the crisis in the justice system and the need to prioritise adequate funding to ensure it is sustainable and resilient going forward.

“Our event at the Opening of the Legal Year is an opportunity to meet with international colleagues and share experiences and insights about the role of lawyers and their representative bodies at the time of elections, our different legal systems, the rule of law and access to justice.”

Notes to editors

• * According to the Economist Democracy Index 2023, 14.4% of countries are full democracies, 29.9% flawed democracies, 20.4% hybrid democracies and 35.3% authoritarian regimes. Full and flawed democracies are nations where elections are fair and free and basic civil liberties are honoured but in flawed democracies there may be some other issues. Hybrid regimes are nations with regular electoral frauds, preventing them from holding fair and free elections. Authoritarian regimes are often absolute monarchies or dictatorships and elections (if they take place) are not fair or free.
• The closed-door discussion will also cover topics such as the mechanisms Bars and Law Societies can use to engage with government officials so that the value of the legal sector as an economic powerhouse is recognised. The discussion will cover how membership bodies can convene their profession to communicate the sector’s asks to incoming governments.

About the Law Society

The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.

Press office contact: Shanzeh Haque | 07706 989843

About the Bar Council

The Bar Council represents more than 17,000 barristers in England and Wales. It promotes:

• the Bar's high-quality specialist advocacy and advisory services
• fair access to justice for all
• the highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across the profession
• the development of business opportunities for barristers at home and abroad

Press office contact: Rhiannon Du Cann, press@barcouncil.org.uk | 07837095808 or 02070928175