The dean of the Bar Association, Margarida Marticellaplaced yesterday during his first speech in office the right to rest and digital disconnection among the group’s main claims during the toga ceremonyin which thirteen new lawyers were welcomed and professionals who accumulated 25 years of practice were recognized. Marticella he also dedicated a few words to the former dean Sònia Baixenchwhose dedication to the school, the capacity for consensus and the way to build a team stood out.
The oath of office of the 13 new lawyers.
Towards 2027, Marticella he noted that one of the priorities is to regulate the right of lawyers to disconnect outside of emergency rooms and guards. “Twenty-four hours, seven days a week, we can’t be connected”, he said after the event. According to the dean, the implementation of telematics tools has increased the availability required of professionals and has created a scenario in which deadlines, notices and notifications can condition the break.
“Twenty-four hours, seven days a week, we can’t be connected”
The claim is included in the proposed modification of the Qualified Law of Justice which is under parliamentary procedure. The school wants the text to recognize the digital disconnection and facilitate it suspension of trials when a lawyer is on medical leave or in an exceptional situation. Marticella he explained that the issue has been worked on with the parliamentary groups during the amendment period and warned that, if it is not incorporated, “significant friction” will be generated with the group.
“The legal profession deserves a remuneration proportional to the dedication it requires”
The dean linked this demand with the right to the health of professionals, as can be cases such as maternity leave or illnesses that can prevent them from exercising normally. The school considers that self-employed lawyers also need guarantees to be able to temporarily stop the activity without having to choose between their personal situation and compliance with procedural obligations.
“The members’ fees must not finance the management of the office shift”
Office shift improvements
The duty shift and the guards they constituted another of the axes of the discourse. Marticella he acknowledged that the Government he has made efforts and that the situation has improved compared to last year, but he defended that it is still necessary to make progress in remuneration and to review it periodically. “This job deserves one decent remuneration, proportional to the dedication and availability it requires“, he maintained. In addition to the compensation of the lawyers who provide the service, the college demands that the same management of the office shift be remunerated. Currently, this organization falls on the professional corporation and is financed by the fees of the collegiates. Marticella he defended that it is an essential public service and that, therefore, “member fees should not finance the management of this service”.
The dean calls for more clarity, especially in civil procedures
The dean also called for more clarity in judicial procedures, especially in the civil sphere. As he explained, there are differences of opinion between battles in similar procedural situations, which can generate legal uncertainty. Marticella he defended that it is necessary to move towards known and predictable criteria so that professionals can guide citizens more safely and without depending on who assumes each cause.
Another outstanding point is the operation of the legal and PSP portal. Marticella he recalled that the system has been in operation for almost two years, but is currently only accessible from a desktop or laptop computer. The school claims that access is multi-device and that it can also be used from a tablet or a mobile phone. It also asks that two emails can be configured to receive notification alerts. According to the dean, the school has received the commitment that multi-device access may be available before the end of the year. The entity hopes that this update will also allow solving other shortcomings that have been carried over since the system was put into operation.
A look towards the future
The toga ceremony was finally used to welcome the thirteen new lawyers joining the profession and to recognize colleagues who complete 25 years of practice. Marticella he reminded the new lawyers of the importance of ethics, respect for colleagues and the courts and the responsibility involved in defending the rights of each client. Marticella he summarized these demands in the need to guarantee more dignified working conditions, with more rest, clear procedures and digital tools adapted to professional reality, without harming the current right of defence.
THE IMPACT OF AI ON THE PROFESSION
Marticella focused on the impact of the artificial intelligence in the legal profession. The dean argued that it can be useful for analyzing documentation, managing information and saving time, but cautioned that it should be used judiciously. He remarked that professional secrecy, confidentiality, independence and diligence must continue to guide the exercise. “The responsibility remains ours”, he said, demanding more training to make proper use of these tools.
