The message reads, in part:
“Since your first congress, the Russian Bar Association has grown to become a key component of a rule-of-law state and has proved its efficiency and importance with its practical deeds. You not only defend the rights of people and their legitimate interests, but you are also making a substantial contribution to enhancing legal awareness, promoting the priority of law and improving the legislation and law enforcement practice. I would like to emphasise your openness to dialogue with the authorities and your striving for cooperation to make our criminal law more humane and to ensure the rights of all those involved in legal proceedings.
Your congress will focus on amendments and additions to the fundamental corporate document, the Code of Professional Ethics of Lawyers. I hope that the adoption of the Code’s new wording will contribute to the further development of the institute of defence lawyers and will help improve the quality of legal assistance, and that the initiatives advanced during your congress will be applied in practice and will help strengthen the prestige of Russian lawyers in society.”