Since time immemorial, the lawyer has been the defender of liberty and personal values. In everyday and professional dealings that can have far-reaching consequences, the lawyer acts as a counsellor for private individuals and companies alike. Furthermore, lawyers alone are able legally to plead before all legal jurisdictions (with some exceptions laid down by law).
Listening, preventing, conciliating, negotiating
First and foremost, the lawyer listens, advises, seeks to conciliate. He/she encourages preventive counselling, drafts and checks through contracts, takes part in negotiations and seeks to facilitate transactions and find amicable solutions.
Giving guidance in disputes
Where he is unable to achieve an amicable solution, the lawyer will defend the interests of his client at courts and tribunals. He acts as spokesperson and is trained specially to perform his rôle before all legal jurisdictions (judicial, governmental/administrative, taxation, professional, etc) in all domains.
Mediation and arbitration
Mediation and arbitration are methods of settling disputes without any need to resort to the courts.
The lawyer can be appointed to act as a mediator.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process for handling conflicts, managed by an impartial intermediary who facilitates communication between the parties and helps them find the right solution to their differences between themselves.
The Bar of Liège set up a Mediation Centre in December 1995. It brings together lawyers with at least five years' professional experience who have taken suitable training and are approved by the Centre.
The lawyer may also act as an arbitrator, by virtue of his competence and independence.
Arbitration is a procedure whereby a conflict is settled, not in courts of law, but by one or more arbitrators, chosen and remunerated by the parties.
Other duties
The lawyer may perform other legal duties such as bankruptcy administrator, temporary administrator, deputy judge, debt mediator, etc.