Sandrine Giroud: 'The European Court of Human Rights pulls us upward'

Sandrine Giroud, the former president of the Geneva Bar Association, believes the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) serves as a vital force for progress, consistently elevating legal standards. As only the second woman elected to lead the association in its 130-year history, Giroud has actively fostered collaborations with her counterparts across European bar associations, integrating European legal principles into her daily practice.

Giroud recently participated in proceedings at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg on July 14th. This engagement centered on sanctions against Russia, specifically concerning a legal challenge brought forth by the Paris and Brussels bar associations, with support from Geneva. The challenge contested the prohibition of providing legal counsel to Russian companies outside of judicial proceedings, arguing for the fundamental "right to law."

Her work underscores the pervasive influence of European law, encompassing both the European Union's legal framework and the Council of Europe's standards, on the activities of Swiss lawyers. This interview is part of a series titled "My Europe," exploring personal connections to the European legal and political landscape.