Analysis: “What is a ‘lawyer’ in EU courts and how ‘independent’ should lawyers be?” by Daniel Sarmiento

We all think that we know what a lawyer is. At least we assume that we know. But you will realize how ignorant you are of this fact once you read AG Bobek’s Opinion in Uniwersytet Wrocławski (C-515/17 P and C-561/17 P).

What is a lawyer? That is the question behind this critical case, now awaiting a ruling of the Grand Chamber of the General Court. The case is a landmark for practising lawyers litigating in Union courts, because it touches upon the issue of lawyers’ independence, and the traditional limits introduced by the Statute and the Rules of Procedure that preclude corporate counsel, or any lawyer that relies on a labour contract with his or her client, from representing a party in the General Court.

The case at hand