The establishment of a public lawyer institution has been identified as a strategic task in several Party and Government documents, notably Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW (April 30, 2025) on reforming law-making and enforcement, and Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW (2022) on building a socialist rule-of-law state. These directives demonstrate Vietnam’s determination to professionalize state legal representation, enhance institutional accountability, and attract highly qualified legal experts to public service.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Justice Phan Chi Hieu emphasized the indispensable role of legal affairs organizations in lawmaking, law enforcement, administrative reform, and Vietnam’s international integration. Mr. Lewe Paul, Resident Representative of KAS Vietnam, commended Vietnam’s ongoing legal reform efforts and the more than three decades of effective cooperation between KAS and the Ministry of Justice in promoting the rule of law. Sharing Germany’s experience in rebuilding its legal system after World War II, he underscored that lawyers are guardians of justice and public trust. Mr. Paul also supported the idea that Vietnam develop a specialized and systematic training framework to strengthen the capacity of public-sector legal professionals while ensuring clear distinction from the existing legal aid system.
The morning dialogue session focused on three key issues:
- The necessity of establishing a public lawyer institution within Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law framework;
- A roadmap and practical solutions aligned with Vietnam’s socio-economic development and legal practice;
- The position, role, and professional requirements of legal affairs officers in performing the functions of public lawyers.
In the afternoon training session, participants enhanced their advisory and consulting skills, particularly in contract drafting and legal risk management - core competencies in both administrative and business legal practice. Through case-based exercises, participants applied principles to ensure the legality, validity, and enforceability of contracts under current regulations.
Concluding the program, the conference served as a focused policy dialogue on the feasibility of establishing a public lawyer institution, contributing practical insights to the Ministry of Justice’s ongoing research and capacity-building efforts.
The event reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam and KAS, underscoring their shared commitment to building a modern, transparent, and effective rule-of-law system - toward fair, professional, and people-centered legal services.
