The Founding Partner of PLMJ and former President of the Portuguese Bar Association (2002-4), José Miguel Júdice, participated in the meeting of the Council of the International Bar Association held in Lisbon. The IBA is the largest association of lawyers in the world and this entity is formed by a representative of each Bar Association or Lawyers’ Associations of practically all Countries worldwide.

José Miguel Júdice represents the Portuguese Bar Association. The meeting is held once a year and is the most important encounter of the IBA besides the annual Congress.

Among the issues dealt with, questions such as threats to the Rule of Law in many Countries, the situation of the negotiations under the scope of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the problems resulting there from for the Legal Profession and for the Service of Justice, the Clementi Report on the rendering of legal services, the Core Values of the Legal Profession and the challenges being faced, the role of lawyers in Society, the evolution of the Legal Profession in an ever more globalized world and disciplinary practices (self regulation and discipline of the Bar Associations) are pointed out. Dr. Júdice was one of the members of the Council entrusted with the presentation of the last subject. The paper he submitted is available at the IBA website