1. Introduction to the Lao Bar Association
The Lao Bar Association (LBA) is a semi-autonomous organization which works under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice.  It has a number of important functions within the Lao PDR.

Firstly, it represents and provides a professional organisation for its members - licensed lawyers of the Lao PDR. The Ministry of Justice issues licenses to lawyers on the proposal of the LBA.  Members:

1. Protect the lawful rights and interests of individuals and legal entities in civil cases, criminal cases and economic cases and other legal actions and claims;
2. Provide legal advice to individuals and legal entities.

Second, the LBA serves as a regulatory body for licensed lawyers, by setting down requirements for the professional conduct and ethics of its members.  This ensures that licensed lawyers are committed to providing professional and ethical legal services. 

Third, the LBA organises and implements critical legal services and programs, including public legal education programs, legal dissemination programs and legal aid services.  Further information on these services is available on this website.

Finally, the LBA is responsible for providing ongoing training to licensed lawyers.  It further supports and provides training to intern lawyers to enable them to become licensed lawyers and members of the LBA.  This training is developed to enhance the skills, knowledge and capacity of lawyers in the Lao PDR.  This focus on training will continuously enhance the ability of LBA members to provide high quality legal services to their clients and contribute to the implementation of effective and high quality LBA legal services and programs.  Further information on this training is available on this website.

The LBA is established pursuant to PM Decree 64 of 1996, namely, the "Decree Pertaining to the Organization and Operation of Bar Association of Lao PDR". Prior to this, other decrees existed on the operation of the legal profession.

2. Organizational Structure
According to Article 5 of the PM Decree 64, the LBA is to consist of:

1. Members.
2. The Congress of members.
3. The Board of the LBA.
4. The Control/Audit committee of the LBA.

At the moment, the LBA is undergoing organizational change which will lead to a strengthened organizational and governance framework.

Currently, the LBA is being run by an Executive Committee which is supported by various Sub-Committees. The LBA’s senior management includes the President and Vice-President.

3. Sub-Committees of the Lao Bar Association
The Sub-Committees support and have responsibility in overseeing the activities of the LBA. The LBA is focusing on developing the capacity of these Sub-Committees.

Sub-committees include: Education and Training, Legislative, Legal Aid, Financial Management, Discipline Inspection, Public Legal Education and International Cooperation. 

1. Education and Training Sub-Committee
   The Education and Training Sub-Committee of the LBA plays an important role in providing training to its members and intern lawyers.  This comprises a Continuous Legal Education programme for its current members and an intern training programme for law graduates (for the purposes of admission as a lawyer).  The LBA considers it important that its members are aware of the latest laws and legal developments and build their legal and practice management skills to make them effective professional lawyers.
   
   
2. Legislative Sub-Committee
   The Legislative Sub-Committee of the LBA provides support to drafting and amending internal regulations of the LBA and contributes to the development of new legislation concerning the legal profession. It is also responsible for liaising with Government in relation to new or revised legislation or regulation proposed by the LBA.
   
   
3. Legal Aid Sub-Committee
   The role of the Legal Aid Sub-Committee is to support and supervise the legal aid activities of the LBA, liaise with other legal aid providers and encourage students to become engaged in the provision of legal aid services. It has set up a legal aid clinic at the Head Office of the LBA in Vientiane, as well as two provincial legal aid clinics situated in Oudomxay and Champasak. It also works closely with the unit offices of the LBA in Vientiane in co-ordinating their provision of legal aid services.
   
   
4. Public Legal Education Sub-Committee
   The Public Legal Education Sub-Committee supports activities pertaining to creating awareness among the public of laws and the rights and duties which flow from them. This includes working with the Faculty of Law and Political Science, National University of Laos, Vientiane and other Lao organisations.
   
   
5. International Cooperation Sub-Committee
   The International Cooperation Sub-Committee is responsible for cooperating with foreign bar associations and law societies, particularly in relation to strengthening of LBA lawyers’ capacity and professional opportunities. The Sub-Committee also coordinates with donors and international organizations.
   
   
6. Discipline Inspection Sub-Committee
   The Discipline Inspection Sub-Committee is entrusted with regulating the conduct of the members of the LBA. The role of the Discipline Committee is to ensure that members of the LBA comply with various codes and laws, which are binding on them, and provide their legal services according to the required ethical standards.  This includes investigation of complaints raised by members of the public about lawyers.