On June 19, 2023, the Annual General Assembly (GA) of the European Association of Lawyers (AEA-EAL) took place in hybrid form.
The official opening as well as the moderation of the General Assembly meeting was made by the Vice-President of the European Association of Lawyers (AEA-EAL) Dr. Christoph von Wilcken.
The Agenda of the General Assembly was presented and included the following matters.
– Approval of the minutes of the Annual Ordinary General Assembly of the Association held in Brussels (hybrid form) on May 16, 2022.
– President’s Report.
– Treasurer’s report on the financial year ended 31.12.2022.
– Approval of the annual accounts as of 31.12.2022.
– Discharge to the directors for the exercise of their mandate in 2022.
– Approval of the 2023 budget.
– Membership fees.
– Resignation/nomination/renewal of board members.
– Miscellaneous.
Maria Ślązak, President of the European Association of Lawyers (AEA-EAL), welcomed the participants of the General Assembly. Before the presentation of the report on the activities of the Association in 2022 was presented President Maria Ślązak expressed her deepest thanks to all members and friends for their dedication and hard work for the further and systematic development of the organization.
Maria Ślązak covered all activities and engagement of the Association in 2022. Such as: Engagement towards Ukraine and Ukrainian Lawyers, AEA-EAL 35th Anniversary, Cooperation with the Council of Europe, and Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals – HELP Course. Overview of events: Opening of the Legal Year in Hong Kong, Conference for Women on Women, Third mediation webinar – Practical Role and best practices of using online dispute resolution, Business. Algorithm. Law Conference, Market Access Seminar, Women in Times of War: The Role of Women Lawyers.
One of the important issues raised in the General Assembly was the renewal of the position of the treasurer. It was highlighted that for many years treasurer of the Association Sabine Perquy has worked effectively for the needs of the Association and her efforts are highly appreciated. She stays on the board of Directors as a member and the functions of the treasurer will be taken over and continued by Olivier d’Ursel (BoD member of the Association).
By the end of the meeting attendees of the General Assembly by anonymous polling approved new board members – Iain G Mitchell KQ and Irakli Kandashvili.
In the closing remarks future activities of the Association were shared among attendees, such as Vice President of the Association – David Asatiani talked regarding the upcoming Twinning Program that will take place in Fall 2023 in Georgia with the partnership of the Georgian Bar Association. Secretary-General as well as the Board Member – Aleksandra Siewicka Marszalek disseminated information regarding upcoming events such as the 2023 Market Access Conference – (Open) Strategic Autonomy – Foundations and Tools, 7 -8 September 2023, Second edition of the “Business. Algorithm and Law,” International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, 16-17.11.2023, Gdańsk.
