Annotation

This article examines the models of self-regulation of the legal profession in countries belonging to the civil law legal tradition. The relevance of the research lies in the fact that professional self-governance institutions play a key role in ensuring the independence of the legal profession, which is one of the fundamental elements of the rule of law and an essential guarantee of the right to legal assistance. The study provides a comparative legal analysis of the organizational and legal models of bar self-regulation based on international standards and national legislation of civil law countries, including Germany, France, Italy and Belgium. Particular attention is paid to the role of professional bar associations and bar chambers in protecting the independence of lawyers, safeguarding professional rights and maintaining professional standards within the legal profession. The research identifies the main institutional features of self-regulation mechanisms characteristic of civil law jurisdictions and highlights the legal guarantees designed to protect lawyers from undue interference in their professional activities. The article concludes that the effectiveness of self-regulation largely depends on the ability of professional organizations to maintain a balance between the autonomy of the legal profession and its public responsibility within the justice system. The findings of the research may be used in further academic studies, legislative initiatives and legal education.