Conciliation

Work-life balance in the legal profession: an unfinished task?

“Temporary incapacity due to second-degree burns is not sufficient grounds to suspend a trial.” This was the response from a court clerk to a lawyer in Valencia requesting a postponement of a hearing. Although the lawyer provided documentation proving his incapacity, he was ultimately required to appear in court.

This situation, which has occurred over the past year, is not an isolated incident. There are numerous cases in which legal professionals are denied the postponement of hearings and deadlines due to medical reasons, maternity, or serious personal circumstances.

For that reason, the Abogacía Española The Bar Association continues its work to raise awareness of the rights of legal professionals. In June 2025, the institution approved the Regulations for Professional Protection to guarantee the quality of the public justice system and the right to defense for those they represent. This project benefits from the specialized work of the Commission on Work-Life Balance, Digital Disconnection, and Well-being, which has just published a guide and launched an awareness campaign on this topic.

Balancing work and personal life is not a privilege, but a right recognized by law. Lawyers enjoy the same leave as other workers, which includes: the right to rest, suspension of court appearances for childbirth, childcare, and adoption; documented medical leave; serious hospitalization of family members; and death of close relatives.

However, despite existing regulations, including the Organic Law on the Right to Defense, its practical application continues to be hampered by judicial discretion. This forces many professionals to seek the protection of their professional association to guarantee their rights and those of their clients.

A recent survey conducted among Bar Associations reveals significant data: specific medical cases (illness, accident, and hospitalization) account for the majority of requests for protection, at 67%. Maternity and high-risk pregnancy are other relevant general scenarios (18% and 9%, respectively), but less frequent.