Kodeks Etyki Prawników Europejskich (CCBE) w polskim systemie prawa

Abstract

The Code of Conduct for European Lawyers, adopted by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), purports to be adopted as enforceable rules in relation to the cross-border activities of the lawyers. The object of this article is to examine whether the Code is a binding act for attorneys at law and attorneys. The professional self-governments have recognised the Code as a binding act for their members, but the analysis leads to the conclusion that there is no basis for this in Polish law. Furthermore, the Code is not an internal act within the meaning of Article 93 of the Polish Constitution. This means that neither attorneys at law nor attorneys can be held disciplinarily liable for breaches of the Code. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the provisions of the Code, they should be included in the professional codes of ethics of these professional self-governments.