GERMAN LAWYERS

Evening Star, Issue 14533, 8 December 1910, Page 8

GERMAN LAWYERS

T!:;> German low fixe? the excet Foe:; which :: German attorney hns to elai:-' for a!! kinds of professional work, and the reehtoainvalt can charge neither mere ncr loss. It is still an old though unfulfilled wish of German lawyers to have a now fixed list of fees—not made after iho old .and low standard of the .ve:ir ]»7.'>, but made with consideration to the changes—the numerous decided changes--which have taken place since that year. The rechtsanwalt is attorney and counsollor-at-law all in one (in England solicitor ' and barrister). The rechtsanwalt can he a business man, as is the case in the United States. The exercise of the law is not to be considered a calling or profession, but is to be looked on more as a public office. According to the lawyers' code of the first of July. 1878, a lawyer is charged publicly with certain duties, lie is obliged to have, his residence in the town or district where he is appointed (so-called residence duty). Further, he must Conduct himself in and out of office in a way befitting his professional and social standing (i.e., duty to his rank). Thus a lawyer is forbidden to advertise in newspapers, by canvassing, etc., or to buy or take over a practice already made, as being unworthy of his calling. His poi.ition in society is between officials and scholars, and through custom and law he is compelled to keep the position to the Inst degree. This compulsion to keep one's rank has given rise to the existence of committees, called anwaltskammeni, whose duty it is to keep a strict watch that no lawyer dishonors his calling. These committees have a strict code of punishment, ranging to complete expulsion from office. In this way the lawyers in Germany have a good and honored position ; in fact, there is scarcely a country in which the lawyer enjoys more respect and confidence.—Kxchango.