Address of the UNBA, BCU President Lidiia Izovitova on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the adoption of the Law “On the Bar and Practice of Law”

Dear advocates!

The Law “On the Bar and Practice of Law” was adopted on July 5, 2012. This decision of the Parliament has been a major step towards approximation of the Ukrainian bar to European standards, both in terms of the advocates’ rights and guarantees, and the way the bar is organized. In pursuance of the recommendations of the Council of Europe, the bar became a self-governing institution, and a single professional non-governmental non-profit organization — the Ukrainian National Bar Association — was established. At the moment the UNBA numbers more than 35 thousand advocates, for whom their UNBA membership provides opportunities for continuous professional development, expansion of professional contacts in Ukraine and abroad, and protection of professional rights. Every single advocate has a real impact on the activities and the right to directly participate in bar self-government. We have implemented all the provisions of the Law in order to create a functional, stable and independent self-government system and have elected representatives to regional and national bodies. By concerted efforts of our entire professional community we establish the principles of independence, increase our competence level for effective protection of the citizens’ rights, and carry out further reforms based on the best experience of our colleagues from other countries and recommendations of international organizations. The new law has provided great opportunities for the establishment of modern European bar in Ukraine. At the same time, its practical implementation is accompanied by new challenges and risks. This situation proves the need for further improvement of the legislative regulation of the bar institute as such, as well as for the protection of the advocates’ professional rights. We are convinced that bar reform is needed, and it should be based on the best practices of the leading legal countries, take into account the real problems and obstacles to independent practice of law, and strengthen the constitutional institute of the bar. Such a reform should be transparent, provide for a professional discussion and the utmost involvement of the bar community and the UNBA as its representative.

I strongly believe that our common consolidated stand, the responsibility of each advocate for the fate and fortunes of the whole Ukrainian bar, the knowledge and practical experience will enable us to further improve the law on the bar and guarantee our citizens the professional protection of their constitutional rights and legitimate interests.

Sincerely,

UNBA, BCU President Lidiia Izovitova