The Cape Verde Bar Association (OACV) is a fundamental institution in the country's legal landscape, playing a crucial role in regulating the legal profession. lawyer[13] and the promotion of justice[14]. Founded in 1997, the OACV's mission is to ensure the defence of citizens' rights, freedoms and guarantees, as well as to ensure compliance with the ethical and deontological standards of the OACV. advocacy[9]. Its creation represented a significant milestone in the consolidation of the Rule of Law[1] in Cape Verde, contributing to the strengthening of democratic institutions and the promotion of a culture[15] legality and respect for human rights[2].
The OACV is responsible for the registration and supervision of lawyers practising in the country, ensuring that all members strictly comply with the established rules. In addition, the Order promotes the continuous training of its members, ensuring that Cape Verdean lawyers are always up to date with legislative changes and international best practices. This educational function is essential to maintaining the quality of the legal services provided to Cape Verdeans. society[10] and to ensure that lawyers can act effectively and competently in defence of their clients.
Another important aspect of the OACV's work is its active participation in the public debate on legal and social issues. The Order frequently collaborates with other national and international institutions, such as the Council of Bars and Law Societies of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP)The aim is to promote the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of legal co-operation between Portuguese-speaking countries. This international collaboration is vital for the development of a system[16] a fairer and more efficient legal system in Cape Verde, allowing for the incorporation of innovative practices and adaptation to new global challenges.
In short, the Cape Verde Bar Association plays an indispensable role in the country's legal structure, not only by regulating the legal profession, but also by helping to strengthen the legal system. State[17] of Law[18] and to promote a more just and equitable society.
The Cape Verde Bar Association (OACV) was officially created in 2000 by Decree-Law 35/2000 of 28 August. Its foundation marked a significant step in the development of Cape Verde's legal system, establishing an organisation responsible for regulating and supervising the legal profession in the country. Before the creation of the OACV, the practice of law in Cape Verde was less formalised, with lawyers often operating independently and without a centralised organisational structure. The creation of the Bar Association aimed not only to regulate the profession, but also to promote ethical and deontological standards among its members.
The OACV plays a crucial role in the defence of the rule of law and the promotion of justice in Cape Verde. Since its creation, the Order has worked to ensure that lawyers fulfil the highest standards of ethics and professional competence. In addition, the OACV has been an active voice in Cape Verdean society, participating in public debates on legal and human rights issues.
The OACV's organisational structure is made up of various bodies, each with specific functions that contribute to the efficient running of the Order. These bodies include the Assembly[11] General, the Superior Council, the Jurisdictional Council and the Fiscal Council.
The General Assembly is the OACV's highest body, made up of all lawyers registered with the Order. This body is responsible for deliberating on fundamental issues, such as the approval of regulations[7] and the election of members of the Order's other bodies. General Assembly meetings are convened regularly and provide a platform for all members to actively participate in the governance of the Order.
The Board of Governors is the executive body of the OACV, responsible for implementing the decisions of the General Assembly and managing the day-to-day activities of the Order. This council is made up of a president, vice-presidents and other elected members. Its responsibilities include representing the Bar at national and international events, overseeing the enrolment process for new lawyers and coordinating ongoing training activities for members.
The Jurisdictional Council is responsible for ensuring compliance with ethical and disciplinary rules among lawyers. This body is responsible for investigating complaints against lawyers and, if necessary, applying disciplinary sanctions. The Jurisdictional Council acts as a court[19] internal, ensuring that lawyers maintain the ethical standards required by the profession.
The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing the OACV's finances, guaranteeing transparency and accountability in the management of the Order's resources. This body carries out regular audits and presents financial reports to the General Assembly, ensuring that the Order's funds are utilised efficiently and in accordance with established regulations.
Since its creation, the OACV has played a vital role in strengthening the Cape Verdean legal system. The Order has worked to improve access to justice by promoting continuous training for lawyers and encouraging specialisation in different areas of law. In addition, the OACV has collaborated with the government and other organisations to develop policies that promote social justice and human rights.
The OACV has also played an important role in defending the independence of the judiciary[3] in Cape Verde. The Order has been an active voice in protecting citizens' rights and promoting transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Through its activities, the OACV has helped to ensure that the legal system in Cape Verde is fair, efficient and accessible to all.
Despite significant progress, the OACV faces several challenges that impact its ability to fully fulfil its mission. One of the main challenges is the need to increase the number of lawyers in rural areas, where access to legal aid is still limited. In addition, the Bar needs to deal with issues related to the modernisation of the legal system, including the adoption of new technologies and the updating of legal training curricula to reflect changes in global legal practices.
In the future, the OACV intends to continue expanding its training and professional development activities, as well as strengthening its relations with international lawyers' organisations. The Bar is also committed to promoting greater inclusion and diversity within the profession, ensuring that all lawyers, regardless of their gender, race or socio-economic background, have equal opportunities to succeed.
Through its ongoing efforts, the Cape Verde Bar Association seeks not only to improve the legal profession, but also to contribute to the development of a fairer and more equitable legal system in Cape Verde.
The Cape Verde Bar Association (OACV) plays a crucial role in promoting ethics and professional discipline among the country's lawyers. This role is exercised by drawing up a code of ethics that all members must follow. The OACV is responsible for investigating and judging ethical offences committed by lawyers, ensuring that the profession maintains high standards of integrity and responsibility. This process is essential for preserving public confidence in the legal profession and ensuring that lawyers act fairly and honestly. In addition, the Bar Association organises seminars and workshops to educate its members on best ethical practices. (Cape Verde Bar Association)
The OACV has a responsibility to ensure that its members are continually up to date with changes and developments in the legal field. To this end, the Bar organises continuing education courses, conferences and workshops that address relevant and emerging topics in law. This commitment to continuous professional development not only improves lawyers' competence, but also contributes to a more efficient and effective legal system. Continuing education is compulsory for all lawyers registered with the Bar, ensuring that everyone maintains a high level of knowledge and skills. This effort is fundamental to adapting to new technologies and legal practices. (Cape Verde Bar Association)
One of the OACV's primary functions is to represent and defend the interests of Cape Verdean lawyers. The Order acts as an intermediary between lawyers and the government, ensuring that the concerns and needs of professionals are heard and considered in the formulation of public policy. In addition, the OACV works to improve the working conditions of lawyers, promoting reforms that benefit the profession and the legal system as a whole. The Order also offers legal and administrative support to its members, helping them navigate complex issues that may arise in their practices. (Cape Verde Bar Association)
The OACV plays a vital role in guaranteeing access to justice for all Cape Verdean citizens. The Order promotes initiatives aimed at increasing the availability of legal services, especially for vulnerable populations and in rural areas. Through legal aid programmes and partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the OACV works to ensure that everyone has access to adequate legal representation, regardless of their economic situation. This commitment to social justice is an essential part of the Order's mission and reflects its role as the guardian of the rule of law in Cape Verde. (Cape Verde Bar Association)
The OACV is actively involved in reforming and modernising the Cape Verdean legal system. The Order collaborates with the government and other entities to identify areas in need of improvement and propose legislative changes that can benefit the system as a whole. This involvement includes participating in law review commissions and contributing to the development of policies that promote efficiency and justice in the legal system. The OACV is also at the forefront of promoting the digitisation of court proceedings, an important step towards modernising the system and making it more accessible and transparent. (Cape Verde Bar Association)
One of the main challenges facing the Cape Verde Bar Association is to guarantee access to justice for all citizens, regardless of their economic status. Free legal aid is essential to ensure that low-income individuals can exercise their legal rights. However, the effective implementation of this service faces difficulties due to a lack of adequate financial and human resources. The Bar needs to work in collaboration with the government and other entities to increase funding and the capacity to offer free legal services. In addition, the continuous training of lawyers in areas of public law[4] and human rights is crucial to improving the quality of care provided (source).
The modernisation of the Cape Verdean legal system is a priority for the Bar Association, especially with regard to the digitalisation of court proceedings. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more efficient and digitally accessible judicial systems. The Bar faces the challenge of promoting the adoption of technologies that can facilitate remote access to proceedings and hearings, reducing delays and increasing transparency. Implementing an electronic case management system can significantly improve the efficiency of the legal system, but requires significant investment in technological infrastructure and training for legal professionals (source).
Although training and continuous professional development are functions that have already been discussed in previous reports, it is important to point out that the Bar faces the challenge of adapting its training programmes to the new demands of the global legal market. A globalisation[8] and the increasing complexity of legal issues require lawyers to be constantly up-to-date on legislative changes and new areas of law, such as data protection and the environmental law[5]. The Bar should invest in training programmes that include these new areas and promote partnerships with international institutions to exchange knowledge and experiences (source).
Financial sustainability is an ongoing challenge for the Cape Verde Bar Association. Dependence on member contributions and government funding can limit the Bar's ability to expand its services and fulfil its functions effectively. The Bar needs to explore new sources of funding, such as public-private partnerships and projects funded by international organisations. In addition, the efficient management of available resources is crucial to guaranteeing the continuity of the services offered. Implementing transparent and accountable financial management practices can increase the confidence of members and the general public in the Order. administration[6] of the Order (source).
The Bar Association plays a key role in reforming and modernising the legal system, as discussed in previous reports. However, an additional challenge is to ensure that the voice of lawyers is heard in discussions about public policy and legal reforms. The Bar must intensify its advocacy efforts to positively influence legislation and policies that affect the practice of law and the rights of citizens. This includes actively participating in public consultations, collaborating with legislators and other stakeholders, and promoting the rule of law and social justice in Cape Verde (source).
Although not addressed in previous reports, adaptation to climate change and environmental challenges is an emerging area that the Cape Verde Bar Association needs to consider. Environmental issues are becoming increasingly relevant in the legal context, and lawyers must be prepared to deal with cases related to environmental rights, climate legislation and natural resource disputes. The Bar Association can play an important role in promoting awareness of environmental issues and training lawyers specialised in environmental law, contributing to sustainability and environmental protection in Cape Verde (source).
Promoting ethics and integrity in legal practice is an ongoing responsibility of the Bar Association. However, challenges remain in ensuring that all members adhere to established ethical standards. The Bar must strengthen its supervisory and disciplinary mechanisms to deal with ethical violations effectively. In addition, promoting a culture of integrity among lawyers is essential to maintaining public confidence in the legal system. Professional ethics training programmes and awareness-raising campaigns can help achieve this (source).
Promoting inclusion and diversity within the legal profession is both a challenge and an opportunity for the Cape Verde Bar Association. Ensuring that the legal profession reflects the diversity of Cape Verdean society is crucial for justice and equity. The Bar should adopt policies and practices that encourage the participation of under-represented groups in the profession, including women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. This can include mentoring programmes, scholarships and awareness-raising initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession (source).
International co-operation and partnerships are essential for the development of the Cape Verde Bar Association. The Bar should seek collaborations with bar associations in other countries to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Partnerships with international organisations can offer opportunities for training, funding and technical support to strengthen the Bar's capacity to face its challenges. In addition, participation in international networks of lawyers can increase the Bar's visibility and influence on the global stage (source).
Resilience and the ability to adapt to crises, such as natural disasters and pandemics, are challenges that the Cape Verde Bar Association must face. Creating contingency plans and preparing for emergency situations are essential to guarantee the continuity of legal services in times of crisis. The Bar must work closely with the government and other organisations to develop effective response strategies and ensure that lawyers are prepared to deal with the legal consequences of future crises (source).
Since its creation in 2000, the Cape Verde Bar Association (OACV) has played a fundamental role in strengthening Cape Verde's legal system. Through its robust organisational structure, which includes the General Assembly, the Superior Council, the Jurisdictional Council and the Fiscal Council, the OACV ensures the regulation, supervision and promotion of high ethical and deontological standards in the legal profession. The Order has been an active defender of the rule of law, promoting justice and the independence of the judiciary in Cape Verde. In addition, the OACV has worked to improve access to justice, especially in rural areas, and has been an active voice in debates on human rights and public policy (Cape Verde Bar Association).
However, the OACV faces significant challenges, such as the need to increase the presence of lawyers in rural areas, modernise the legal system through digitalisation and ensure financial sustainability. The Bar also needs to adapt its training programmes to reflect changes in global legal practices and promote inclusion and diversity in the profession. To meet these challenges, the OACV must intensify its international partnerships, seek new sources of funding and strengthen its ethical oversight mechanisms. Through these efforts, the Order can continue to contribute to a fairer and more equitable legal system in Cape Verde, ensuring that all citizens have access to adequate and efficient legal representation (Cape Verde Bar Association).
Advogados.cv is an independent platform and has no official link, partnership or affiliation with the Cape Verde Bar Association (OACV). Our aim is to offer an informative and accessible service to connect lawyers and citizens, as well as to provide useful legal resources. We respect and recognise the work of the OACV as the regulator of the legal profession in Cape Verde.
English 
Portuguese 
French