Only Croatian and EU lawyers can be founders of law firms providing legal advice on the law of the Republic of Croatia and representing clients before the courts. Non-EU lawyers and firms may only provide legal advice on home-country law, on EU law, international law.
"Article 5
(1) Only lawyers may provide legal aid as a profession, unless otherwise provided by law.
[...]
Article 5a
(1) A lawyer from another state who has acquired the right to practice law in the home Member State of the European Union may, in accordance with the conditions prescribed by this Act, practice in the Republic of Croatia:
- legal activities, in accordance with Articles 36e and 36f of this Act,
- a lawyer's title under the name of a profession from his home country, in accordance with Article 36.b of this Act,
- a lawyer's summons entitled "lawyer" in accordance with Article 36a of this Act.
[...]
Article 27
(1) Two or more lawyers registered in the register of lawyers of the Chamber may establish a law office with the status of a legal entity (law firm).
(2) A law firm shall be established as a public company.
[...]
Article 27a
(1) Law firms from a member state of the European Union and from a member state of the World Trade Organization may establish their branches in the Republic of Croatia in accordance with the obligations of the Republic of Croatia under international agreements, the Companies Act and this Act.
(2) Branches referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may provide legal services in the Republic of Croatia which include advisory services on the law of their home country, on the law of the European Union and international law.
Article 28
(1) Only a lawyer may be a member of a law firm.
[...]
Article 36a
(1) A lawyer from a Member State of the European Union shall be entered in the Directory of Foreign Lawyers who may practice law in the Republic of Croatia under the title "lawyer", with all rights and duties in practicing law, if he meets the conditions referred to in Article 48, item 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Act and if he passes the exam in knowledge of the legal order of the Republic of Croatia.
(2) The lawyer must attach to the application for entry in the Directory referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article a certificate of citizenship of a Member State of the European Union, proof that he has the right to practice law in his home country and other evidence of compliance with paragraph 1 of this Article. article.
[...]
Article 36b 
(1) A lawyer from a Member State of the European Union shall be entered in the Directory of Foreign Lawyers who may practice law in the Republic of Croatia under the name of a profession from his home country if he submits a certificate of registration in law associations in his home country or another country. States.
(2) The application for entry in the Directory referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be accompanied by a certificate of citizenship, proof of professional liability insurance, as well as a certificate and proof of membership in bar associations in the home country or another country. [...]
(7) A lawyer referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article who practices law as a profession from his home country, and who regularly and successfully practices law in the Republic of Croatia for at least three years may register in the Register of Lawyers of the Croatian Bar Association and practice law under called a "lawyer."
(8) Lawyers from the Member States of the European Union may practice law as a law firm or joint law office under the name of a profession from their home country, and may use the name of a law firm or joint law office of which they are a member. [...]
(9) Foreign lawyers referred to in Articles 36a and 36b of this Act may represent the parties before courts and other bodies in the Republic of Croatia under the conditions determined by this Act.
Article 36c
(1) The lawyer referred to in Article 36.b of this Act may give advice on the law of his home country, on the law of the European Union, on international law and on the law of the Republic of Croatia.
(2) When performing legal activities related to the representation of parties before courts in the Republic of Croatia, the lawyer referred to in Article 36.b of this Act must act together with a lawyer who has the right to practice law in the Republic of Croatia.
[...]
Article 36d 
(1) A lawyer from a Member State of the European Union shall be entered in the Directory of Foreign Lawyers who practice law in the Republic of Croatia under the title "lawyer", regardless of the provisions of Article 36a of this Act, if he has practiced law for at least three years. from Article 36.b of this Act, and may also be entered as a lawyer in the Register of Lawyers of the Croatian Bar Association.
[...]
Article 36.e 
(1) A lawyer from a Member State of the European Union, who is not registered in the Directory of Foreign Lawyers pursuant to Article 36a, 36b or 36d of this Act, may perform certain actions (freedom to provide services) within the scope of practicing law in in accordance with the provisions of Article 36.c, paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Act.
[...]
Article 46
(1) The right to practice law in the territory of the Republic of Croatia shall be acquired by entry in the register of lawyers, and after the solemn oath has been taken.
[...]
Article 47
In proceedings before selected (arbitration) courts in legal matters with an international element, the parties may also be represented by lawyers registered in the bar associations of other non-member countries of the European Union.
Article 48
A person who meets the following conditions has the right to be entered in the lawyer's directory:
1. that he is a Croatian citizen,
2. that he is a national of a Member State of the European Union or another state signatory to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, [...]" (Law on the Legal Profession (NN 9/1994; 2 February 1994), as last amended by Law NN 18/2011 of 9 February 2011, Articles 5, 5a, 27, 27a, 28, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 46, 47 and 48 [google translation])
Law on the Legal Profession (NN 9/1994; 2 February 1994), as last amended by Law NN 18/2011 of 9 February 2011, Articles 5, 5a, 27, 27a, 28, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 46, 47 and 48
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