The constituent assembly of the Kazakhstan Bar Association (Non-Governmental Organization) was held on 27 April 2012. The newly founded Association is expected to be joined by the privately practicing lawyers that have Kazakh legal education (or hold a diploma (education certificate) recognized in Kazakhstan) and meet the established qualification requirements. It is planned that shortly after its state registration the Kazakhstan Bar Association will join the International Bar Association as an official member. The key objective of the Association is to enhance the quality of legal services, lawyers' professionalism, legal profession prestige and public and corporate trust in lawyers. The partners and associates of Kazakhstan's leading law firms, including AEQUITAS, acted as founders of the Kazakhstan Bar Association.