The historic importance and responsibility of the legal profession

The ceremonial session of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Pest County Bar Association was held at the Royal Castle in Gödöllő.

The event, which focused on the historical roots, responsibilities and challenges of the legal profession, was also attended by President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok. One of the central themes of the event was the evolution of the legal profession, with a special focus on the year 1875, marking a turning point in Hungarian legal history.

In his speech, the President of Hungary said, "The year 1875 was an inflection point. Until then, lawyers performing varying tasks had neither a professional body, nor independence, nor freedom, only duties to be fulfilled. With the new legislation, self-government, independence and a professional community were created for the legal profession." This change fundamentally shaped the modern structure of the legal profession, which has remained a pillar of the rule of law ever since.

The responsibility of the legal profession was a particular focus of the speeches. Dr. Tamás Sulyok, quoting the well-known professor and constitutional judge János Zlinszky, presented the role of lawyers in society: "Lawyers are as much of benefit to society as if they were defending the homeland and the motherland in battle and at the cost of wounds." This reflection not only underlines the prestige of the profession, but also sheds light on the enormous responsibility it entails. Lawyers use the tools of the law to ensure that the rule of law is applied in the most diverse situations of everyday life.

The participants of the ceremony agreed that both the past and the future of the legal profession impose a shared responsibility on its practitioners. The event was thus not only a tribute to the past, but also a guideline for future generations of lawyers that their profession is a calling to serve the law, justice and the people.