Growing criticism: more Spanish and international law firms reject the PSOE-Junts agreement mentioning "lawfare"

Marina Vanni

The pact reached in Spain between socialism and Catalan separatism continues to arouse repudiation in the legal field. Now, more law firms and entities have criticized the agreement that speaks of the instrumentation of justice for political purposes or lawfare, in reference to the Catalan referendum.

One of the firms that shared its viewpoint in the last hours was Cuatrecasas, stating that it "supports the division of powers as a guarantee of the rights recognized in the Magna Carta". The firm indicated that "the independence of the Judiciary is one of the backbones of democracy" and that they "unequivocally reject any measure that, in a mediate or immediate way, could compromise it".

Roca-Junyent, another local firm, highlighted "the recognition of the important work that, with full independence, the courts and tribunals have been carrying out to guarantee the fundamental rights of citizens and the application of the legal system".

For its part, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo stated: "We also wish to express our utmost recognition of the work carried out by Judges and Courts and the need to always ensure their total independence without the interference of any kind from the rest of the State powers, whose separation is key in any democratic State".

International firms also their concern about the agreement that seeks to invest Pedro Sánchez as president of the Spanish Government and that suggests that parliamentary commissions could be formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the judiciary.

"Linklaters Spain, from (a stance of) neutrality concerning the different political positions, wishes to express its firm commitment to the basic principles of the rule of law and its adherence to the institutional declaration of the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM)", the firm said.

The Spanish branch of Simmons & Simmons also adhered to ICAM’s statement and added in its message: "We declare our disagreement with any interference in the activity of judges and magistrates, who are only subject to the rule of law".

Allen & Overy echoed the words of ICAM and indicated that "the separation of powers, respect for the constitutional order, and the independence of the Judiciary are essential elements of the democratic rule of law, the basis of our coexistence".

Eversheds Sutherland Spain joined the list: "Any interference by other branches of government in the normal functioning of our jurisdictional bodies or the questioning of their actions outside the framework established in the procedural laws must be openly rejected by our profession", the firm stated.

Author: Marina Vanni