iloubnan.info : What the Order of Lawyers in Lebanon is of high importance?
Me. Ramzi Jreij : The Presidency of the Bar is a very important position, due to the paramount role of the Order of the Lawyers at the professional and the national levels as well. At the professional level, the Order was committed to protect the lawyers and emphasize their effective role, while at the national level, the Order hammered, since it was founded in 1919, at defending the public liberties, the human rights, the national unity, the political independence of Lebanon and the rule of Law to preserve the independence of the judicial power. Thus, the president of the Bar is considered as the Order’s number 1. He is the torch-bearer of Justice and the lawyers while cooperating with the members of the Order Board, in order to help the latter achieve its mission and fill its duties. The vocation of the lawyers is to impose justice. They key role demands them to defend the national constants that lay the fundaments of Lebanon’s existence.

The various candidates to the Board and the presidency vowed to meet the needs of the lawyers. What are those needs?
There are almost ten thousands lawyers in Lebanon today, split between attorneys in law and trainees. The main problem is to achieve the best professional enhancement of these lawyers. There another professional section to be addressed: the security of the lawyers. Many aggressions against lawyers were recently reported. This issue must be imperatively tackled and as soon as possible. The lawyer, who defends the rights of the others, has also his own rights that must be respected. To meet this end, a process was implemented in order to emphasize the rights of the lawyers. There is a lot to do in this regard. Thus, achieving these two sections of work is a must to master this profession at best. The Bar Institute was, therefore, established to help the trainees perfect their vocation, master the legal disciplines and enhance their skills. This institute is compulsory for the trainees and optional for the attorneys in law. The relevant objective is to help them perfectly assume their responsibilities.

How do you assess the election of a woman at the head of the Bar of Beirut?
I guess it was an excellent choice. I am proud that the lawyers have elected Me. Amal Haddad, not only because she is a woman, but because of her reputed excellence in our field. Me. Haddad has a reputed professional experience within the Order Board. I guess that Beirut Bar lawyers were the pioneers to spotlight and give the lead, in their choice, to the competency not to tiny considerations. They are the mainstays of democracy and openness. I trust the abilities of Me. Haddad as she promises a better future for the Order. I am sure she spare no effort to meet the needs of the lawyers, thanks to her professionalism and her experience.