Initial training of lawyers in the European Union

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General description

Is initial training offered, if yes is it compulsory?

Yes, it is compulsory.

Does initial training differentiate between categories of trainees, e.g. for in-house lawyers and advocates?

Persons must attend an Initial training organised by the Lithuanian Bar Association within one year of being entered in the List of Advocate’s assistant of Lithuania.

Persons must attend an initial training organised by the Lithuanian Bar Association within one year of being entered in the List of Practicing Advocates of Lithuania.

Which entities are responsible for organising initial training?

Lithuanian Bar Association.

What is the statutory basis for initial training?

The Decision of the Council of the Bar that regulates continuous professional qualification of advocates and trainee advocates.

Access to the initial training

Are there conditions for accessing the training?

Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Initial training is held virtually. Practising advocates or advocate’s assistants can easily access this training on the electronic platform of the Lithuanian Bar Association.

What is the main recruitment procedure? If it is competitive - who runs it?

Through Examinations.

There are two types of exams for the admission to the Bar. One is a qualification exam, which consists of separate written and oral parts. It includes a content exam (covering almost all disciplines of law) as well as questions on ethics and self-governance of the Bar (including questions on book-keeping and etc.). To take this exam, a person must have 5 years of legal work experience (not just legal practice) or complete 2 years of advocate-assistant practice.

The second one is an organisational exam, for which former judges, prosecutors and forms lawyers are eligible (some conditions apply). PhD holders can also have it after a certain number of years practice. This exam is oral only and questions are related to ethics and self-governance of the Bar (including questions on book-keeping and etc.).

In case of a successful result (a score of at least 7 out of 10) a person could apply to be admitted to the Bar.

Are there alternative access routes to the training?

N/A.

Format and content of the initial training

What is the duration and time frames of the training?

It is a one time initial training. It lasts 4 academic hours and is held by the

the Lithuanian Bar Association. The duration is flexible and could change in post-pandemic years.

How is the training organised?

The Lithuanian Bar Association in a centralised manner.

Who are the trainers?

Full time professionals, mostly lawyers but also other experts could be invited.

What is the content and objectives of the initial training?

Initial training aims to focus on the real issues which could arise during a lawyer or advocate’s assistant’s activities.

The topics of the initial training are ethics, accounting procedures, also money laundering and prevention of terrorist financing, prevention of corruption, protection of personal data, etc.

Who designs the initial training programmes?

The Lithuanian Bar Association.

What methodology is used for the training?

Seminars.

What practical elements of the training are applicable to the trainees?

Trainees must attend the initial training within their first year of practice, without which their report of practice would not be confirmed.

How are trainees evaluated/assessed? How often and by whom?

Qualification points are granted for participation in the initial training.

Every advocate’s assistant must fill the report at the end of their first and second year of their practice and if they do not fulfil the requirement to get 2 points for the inaugural seminar, their report is not approved by the Lithuanian Bar Association.

Are there any training activities carried out in conjunction with other legal professionals? If yes: How does it work?

For instance, at the initial training, there is a topic on financial accounting, so the Lithuanian Bar Association would usually invite experts of this and other related fields.

Generally, lawyers or advocates could engage in continuous learning or take refresher courses by watching or attending seminars on various topics within and outside the Association for self-improvement. Please note that the Lithuanian Bar Association also has a video shop, where seminars are recorded and sold for personal use.

Professionals are expected to earn minimum points as follows:

Advocates with 0-5 years practice - 8 points.

Advocates over 5 years practice - 4 points.

Advocate Assistants - 16 points annually.

What are the specificities regarding EU law training, linguistic training and European components of initial training, for example participation in CCBE or ELF activities?

N/A.

How many trainees are accepted for training? Are the numbers of trainees adjusted annually and by who?

It depends on the number of new members admitted to the Lithuanian Bar Association every year.

Termination of the initial training and qualification process

Does the initial training conclude with a final exam? How is it organised? Who is responsible for the exam?

No.

Is there a further recruitment procedure to become a lawyer upon completion of the initial training?

N/A.

Last update: 17/07/2023

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