Preliminary note

After the fall of the socialist system in 1989, an autonomous and independent legal profession was established by Slovak National Council Act no 132/1990. Its creation and existence was founded on the key pillars of the legal profession from the pre-1948 period and pursuant to this Act.

The Slovak Bar Association, with autonomous bodies independent of executive state power, was established as a self-governing professional organisation of lawyers. Membership in the Slovak Bar Association was made compulsory for all lawyers. Conditions to be met in order to be entered on the roll of lawyers or trainee lawyers were determined by the Slovak Bar Association within the statutory limits and within the limits of approved professional rules. Slovak Bar Association bodies are the only ones with disciplinary power with regard to lawyers. Decisions issued by the Bar concerning the status of lawyers can be reviewed by courts. Under the Act and within its limits, the Slovak Bar Association is entitled to issue professional rules binding on lawyers and trainee lawyers. The Slovak Bar Association provides for the training of lawyers and trainee lawyers.