This month, a Baltic state was granted presidency of the EU for the first time: Lithuania. We at Eurojuris thought it was the perfect occasion to give the floor to a Lithuanian lawyer and ask him to tell us about his experience: what can we learn from him, how does it feel to work with a network? Here are the words of EJ member Paulius Vinkleris, from Vilnius.
I was delighted when I was asked to provide some words about my country to a wider community. After years of legal practice I have observed an enormous improvement in the legal system of Lithuania: throughout twenty-two years of independence, our country has not only managed to make good ground on its legal system, but has also become a member of international organisations.
Lithuania, as a leading country in the field of information technology, contributes to fast innovations in the legal area. Options for the use of electronic signature are expanding more and more in Lithuania and its former conservative judiciary system. Lithuanian courts began to use electronic document receipt and delivery system in July 2013, which has enabled all interested parties to connects to to submit or review documents. Less space remains for discrimination of document forms. It is pleasing to see how Lithuania is moving forward hand-in-hand with modern society.
These achievements are particularly positive when you keep in mind the complicated history and cultural evolution of Lithuania. Its law, as it is now, was created according to state laws of different countries. Lithuania has one of the oldest codified law systems in Europe, which encourages us to remember the legal foundation of Lithuanian and European law and to try to make the global legal experience customisable. Yet innovative lawyers would give new impetus to the development of the idea of the rule of the law. Despite the problems you can have in the application of legal norms, it is always the greatest satisfaction for a lawyer to find new solutions.
Today I would call Lithuania a modernising state in regards to law. Its legal professionals and attorneys participate in various international projects and seminars. There is constant ongoing cooperation with institutions abroad, attorneys and other law firms. In this way we overtake the experience of solving civil and business cases from our colleagues abroad. More international cases appear. It not only fosters an interest for innovation, but also provides the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues abroad.
Personally, I feel like I have successfully implemented many legal projects for various institutions and organisations: I have cooperated with many people residing abroad, lawyers and institutions. I am happy I was able to help them deal with questions and problems: I gained an invaluable experience. During my time as a member of Eurojuris International, I have realized that in this emerging modern world the boundaries between countries and communities are vanishing. This encourages the connections and cooperation of lawyers. Eurojuris International is a great place where lawyers can find each other, and help to develop a comprehensive legal cooperation. I will always remember the last conference: it was nice to see how foreign colleagues live their professional lives, to get acquainted with their suggestions, ideas, legal issues, to share experiences in similar cases. I hope the family of Eurojuris International will grow and expand over time.
Want to share an experience in the same way that Paulius did? Simply contact us at journalist@eurojuris.net
