The independence of the legal profession is essential to protecting the integrity of the justice system and upholding the rule of law. Lawyers play a critical role in holding power to account, defending individual rights, and ensuring fair and impartial legal proceedings. These key messages highlight why legal independence matters.
- Protecting judicial integrity and fairness: An independent legal profession upholds the rule of law. Lawyers help ensure that everyone, including the government, is held accountable under the law. When lawyers operate independently, they can represent clients—especially those challenging government actions—without fear of retaliation or political pressure. This strengthens judicial decision-making and public trust in the legal system. By following ethical standards and staying independent, lawyers help create a justice system where laws are respected and applied fairly, keeping Canada’s legal system strong and stable.
- Ensuring access to justice: An independent legal profession helps everyone access justice. It supports individuals and groups, especially those facing systemic barriers—to challenge powerful entities, including the government, and have their voices heard in the justice system.
- Upholding ethical and professional standards: Allowing lawyers to self-regulate to govern their profession, free of government interference, ensures accountability, protects clients and maintains a justice system that is fair, stable, and trustworthy. Lawyers need real-world experience and deep legal knowledge to handle tough ethical questions—not interference from government who don’t understand the profession. Letting legal experts set the rules ensures lawyers stay competent, accountable, and focused on protecting justice for everyone.