The Vietnam Bar Federation (VBF) has requested the Politburo’s Resolution regarding judicial reform strategy until 2020 to be fully put in place, in which member lawyers’ role in building a State of the rule of law comes into prominence.

It made the call while holding a working session with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs in Hanoi on April 7.

Currently, there are over 8,400 lawyers working across all 63 cities and provinces, with the majority in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Between 2009 and 2013, they defended more than 51,000 criminal cases, over 5,000 economic and 3,200 administrative cases.

Over 40 professional training courses held by the VBF also attracted 2,000 lawyers.

To better fight corruption, the VBF suggested perfecting the function, responsibility and organisational structure of judicial bodies, treating both lawyers and procurators on equal terms, and improving the legal status of lawyers.

Head of the Commission Thanh asked the VBF to offer detailed recommendations on how to improve its operations and minimise violations of professional ethics and laws.

The federation needs to pay attention to young and talented lawyers via intense training, he said.

He also required both sides to work more closely together during the corruption crackdown.-VNA