Lawyer in Spain

A lawyer in Spain is known as an “abogado”, who practises law based on the Civil Law. There are approximately 118,000 attorneys in Spain registered with local bar associations. There are 83 local Bar Associations in Spain, represented by a central institution called “Consejo General de la Abogacia Espanola” (General Council of Spanish lawyers). There is also a separate council in Catalonia, which groups 15 local Bar Associations with a different Code of Ethics. It is compulsory for any person who wants to practise law to register with Bar Associations. As part of the European Union, Spain allows attorneys from other Member States to practise the profession on its territory.

Admission

A Spanish lawyer has to complete at first a five year Spanish law degree. After graduating, a candidate is eligible for admission to the local Bar Associations. No further requirements have to be met since the 1 November 2011, when a new legislation is introduced regarding the access to legal professions. A future attorney in Spain will go through training courses and will need to pass a state examination before being qualified as a lawyer in Spain. The training courses will be delivered at universities and local bar associations, under the accreditation of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Science and Education. Besides, there will not be a limit of available qualifications per year anymore.

Forms of practice

Lawyers in Spain can practise as individuals or as part of law firms in Spain. A new legislation was introduced in 2007 regarding professional services firms in terms of registration and ownership. Any law firm in Spain has to register with a professional body. Lawyers in Spain practise in both regional and national levels, charging minimum fees for their services. After he is hired in a law firm in Spain, a Spanish attorney has the duty to defend the reputation of the firm.

Activities

Lawyers in Spain focus on activities regarding business, taxation, finance, company formation. They also offer advice in terms of international investments for clients outside the country. A lawyer in Spain also deals frequently with real estate transactions and private properties. A Spanish attorney also deals with immigration, trying to maintain a balance between the law system and political stability.