A study visit of a delegation of the Moldovan Bar Association to the Croatian Bar Association (CBA) was organised on 18-19 November 2015. The objective of the study visit was to learn from best practices on lawyers self-governance from a European Bar Association through direct peer to peer contacts.The Moldovan delegation comprised Mrs Nina Lozan, President, Mr Mancevschi Oleg, Mrs Istrate Angela, Mr Tanase Constantin, Mr Gribincea Vladislav, Mr Revenco Eduard (all Member of the Council), Ms Mariana Criclivaia, Censorship Commission Chairperson, Mr Vitalie Tabirta, MBA Etics and Discipline Commission and Mrs Chebac Alla, Admission Commission. They were accompanied by Mr Rytis Jokubauskas, the project's international expert. This study visit forms part of the "Support to the Moldovan Bar Association" component of the PCF Project on “Strengthening the efficiency of justice and support to lawyers’ profession in the Republic of Moldova
In his opening speech, Mr Robert Travas, the President of the CBA, welcomed the Moldovan delegation and offered an overview of the role of the Bar Association in strengthening the independence of the profession. Mr Ranko Pelicaric, former CBA President, the president of CCBE PECO Committee joined the welcoming and outlined the importance of this Committee for the Moldovan lawyers profession.
During the two-day visit, the Moldovan lawyers exchanged views with the Vice-President of the CBA, the chair of the CBA Law Academy, CBA Executive Secretaries, the Head of CBA media relations, the adviser to the Disciplinary Chamber. The study visit participants learned about the Croatian Bar experience on a rich variety of issues of interest, among which the internal management structure and policies, the financial sustainability of the Association, the role and duties of the Secretariat, internal and external communication policies and practices, lawyers ethics and discipline, admission into the profession, the status and financing of the Law Academy, the demand and supply of continuous training, lawyers social guarantees and taxation, international relations and the value and traditions of the profession's reputation. The Moldovan lawyers were also invited to share the festivity of the oath ceremony of newly admitted lawyers on 18 November.
In the words of the one of the participants, "we’ve seen how to modernise the profession, by preserving valuable traditions in compliance with the professional ethics and dignity of the profession”.
As a result of the study visit, representatives of the Croatian Bar Association and the Moldovan Bar Association expressed openness to advance their collaboration through joint events and endeavors.
The component on the "Support to the Moldovan Bar Association" of the "Strengthening the efficiency of justice and support to lawyers' profession in the Republic of Moldova" project is funded by the Programmatic Cooperation Framework for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. The Council of Europe and European Union are working in partnership with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus to help them meet Council of Europe benchmarks in human rights, democracy and the rule of law and improve the lives of citizens.