A European lawyer, beyond the self-evident definition of 'a lawyer in Europe', also refers to a specific definition introduced by the UK's European Communities (Services of Lawyers) Order 1978, which permits lawyers from other EU member states to practice law within the UK, in accordance with EU directive 77/249/EEC.
The term EU lawyer is also used in UK law.[1]
The order contains a list of countries of origin and the designations which the order applies to for example a professional "entitled to pursue his professional activities"[2] such as an "advokat" in Finland, may practice Europe-wide as a "European lawyer".
The order also imposes temporary limitations on the types of legal work which may be carried out by such persons. Lawyers from other European countries practicing in the UK must be associated with appropriate co-counsel and upon demand by a competent authority they must verify their status.
After a possible temporary limitation such as the aforementioned, EU lawyers may acquire and use the title of the country they reside and work in, usually after three years of practice under the title of origin (and possible restrictions) or after an examination that confirms equivalence. The choice is up to the professional, not the bar or country.
The full list of professions to whom the title 'European Lawyer' is applicable follows;
| Profession | Duration of legal education[3] | ||
| Austria | Rechtsanwalt | 4-5 year degree + 5 years of training + exam | |
| Belgium | Avocat | 5 year degree + 3 years of training + exam[4] | |
| Advocaat | |||
| Rechtsanwalt | |||
| Bulgaria | Advokat | ||
| Cyprus | Dikegόros | ||
| Croatia | Odvjetnik | 5 year degree + exam | |
| Czech Republic | Advokát | 5 year degree + 3 year legal traineeship + exam[5] | |
| Denmark | Advokat | 5 year degree | |
| Estonia | Vandeadvokaat | ||
| Finland | Asianajaja | 5-6 year degree | |
| Advokat | |||
| France | Avocat | 4 year degree + exam + lawyer school during 18 months + exam | |
| Germany | Rechtsanwalt | 5-6 year degree + exam + 2 year legal traineeship + exam | |
| Greece | Dikegόros | 4 year degree + 18 months legal traineeship + exam | |
| Hungary | ügyvéd | 5 year degree + 3 years of legal traineeship + exam | |
| Iceland | lögmaður | ||
| Ireland | Solicitor | Solicitor vs. Barrister distinction, university or practical experience paths | |
| Barrister | |||
| Italy | Avvocato | 5 year degree + 1.5 year legal traineeship + exam[6] | |
| Latvia | Zvērināts | ||
| Latvia | Advokāts | ||
| Liechtenstein | Rechtsanwalt | No law school; recognition of Austrian and Swiss law degrees.[7] [8] [9] | |
| Lithuania | Advokatas | ||
| Luxembourg | Avocat | No local law school until recently; recognition of other EU law degrees and supplementary course in local law | |
| Rechtsanwalt | |||
| Malta | Avukat | 5 year degree + 1 year practice + exam | |
| Prokuratur Legali | |||
| Netherlands | Advocaat | 4-5 year degree + 3 years training + exam[10] | |
| Norway | Advokat | ||
| Poland | Adwokat | 5 year degree + entry bar exam + 3 years of bar association training and mandatory professional work + bar exam | |
| Radca Prawny | |||
| Portugal | Advogado | 4 or 5 year degree + exam + bar association training and mandatory professional internship and exams (up to 2 years) | |
| Romania | Avocat | ||
| Slovakia | Advokát | Master's degree + 3-5 year apprenticeship + exam[11] | |
| Advokátka | |||
| Slovenia | Odvetnik | ||
| Odvetnica | |||
| Spain | Abogado | 5 years and a half degree + exam | |
| Advocat | |||
| Abokatu | |||
| Abogado | |||
| Sweden | Advokat | 4-5 year degree | |
| Switzerland | Rechtsanwalt | ||
| Anwalt | |||
| Fürsprecher | |||
| Fürsprech | |||
| Avocat | |||
| Avvocato | |||
| Advokat | |||
| United Kingdom | Solicitor | England and Wales: 3 year degree + 0.5-1 year LPC + 2-year training contract Scotland: 3-4 year degree + 1 year Diploma + 2-year training contract | |
| Barrister (England and Wales) / Advocate (Scotland) | England and Wales: 3 year degree + 1 year BPTC + 1 year pupillage Scotland: 3-4 year degree + 1 year Diploma + experience in a solicitor's office + pupillage + exam |