pravnici

Pravnici are legal professionals who practice law, provide legal advice, and represent clients in various matters. The term is used in several South Slavic languages such as Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin, and is often rendered without diacritics in other languages. Pravniku may work for individuals, companies, government bodies, or non-governmental organizations, handling civil, criminal, administrative, and corporate issues.

Education and licensing typically require completing a university degree in law, followed by professional training and a licensing examination or bar exam. Admission to the professional body or bar is usually necessary to practise law or to plead in court. Ongoing legal education is common to maintain accreditation and stay updated with changes in law.

Roles and specialties among pravnici are diverse. They draft and review contracts, negotiate settlements, provide legal opinions, and assist with regulatory compliance. Many focus on specific areas such as civil litigation, criminal defense, corporate law, tax, intellectual property, family law, or constitutional and administrative matters. In some jurisdictions, pravnici may also serve as notaries or work in-house for corporations, governments, or international organizations.

Practice settings vary widely. Pravnici work in private law firms, corporate legal departments, public administrations, courts, or non-governmental organizations. They may also specialise in advisory roles, mediation, or advocacy before various courts and authorities.

Ethical and professional standards govern the conduct of pravnici. They are typically bound by codes of professional ethics, duties of confidentiality, loyalty to clients, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and, where applicable, duties to the court and to the public interest. Pro bono work is encouraged in many jurisdictions.