The fifth annual European Lawyers’ Day, an initiative of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), is also highlighting the right of suspects to access a lawyer while detained.

European Lawyers’ Day was launched in 2014 to celebrate the common values of lawyers and their intrinsic role in the defence and promotion of the rule of law, as well as their contribution to the justice system.

John Mulholland, president of the Law Society of Scotland, recognised the occasion in his opening speech at the Law Society’s annual conference in Aberdeen today.

Paying tribute to the late Dutch lawyer Derk Wiersum, who was murdered last month, Mr Mulholland said Scottish solicitors were lucky to be able to carry out their duties without persecution.

Solicitor Gillian Mawdsley, member of the Law Society of Scotland’s criminal law committee, contributed to a special European Lawyers’ Day podcast alongside colleagues from England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

Earlier, CCBE president José de Freitas said: “Legal aid is an essential tool in ensuring access to justice. Access to justice is a fundamental right and an essential part and instrument of human rights, stipulated and protected by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, i.e. free access to justice for any individual, regardless of his or her social status or economic position. It is considered to be one of the main pillars of the rule of law and individual dignity.

“It is the duty of states and governments to guarantee, organise and finance such legal aid systems, which permit those with the least means to obtain access to justice and which cover the cost of legal advice, defence and representation by legal professionals. It is essential that member states have functioning legal aid systems.

“The CCBE appreciates the efforts and work of the European Commission in this regard and urges member states to fulfil their obligations under the recent EU Directive on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings and for requested persons in European arrest warrant proceedings.”