Legal professionals in Italy face new sanctions risks and reforms

Legal professionals in Italy face evolving responsibilities regarding international compliance and domestic reforms. Under current European Union sanctions regimes, consultants, accountants, and lawyers are increasingly viewed as sentinels of legality. Failure to report information regarding the assets or funds of sanctioned individuals can lead to criminal liability, as the law mandates the reporting of such findings to prevent complicity in international offenses.

Simultaneously, discussions regarding the reform of the legal profession in Italy emphasize the constitutional importance of the bar. During a meeting in Naples, Maria Rosaria Covelli highlighted that the legal profession is an integral part of the rule of law. Key aspects of the reform include strengthening professional secrecy to protect the attorney-client relationship, restoring professional oaths, addressing fair compensation, and managing new organizational structures for law firms. The reform also addresses the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence, noting that technology should assist rather than replace professional judgment.