UNBA supported the pilot project of involving the students to pro bono legal assistance
The pilot project of the law clinic “Pro bono” of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv providing free legal assistance will begin early in 2019. First of all, it is about providing primary legal aid, and then there will be considered a possibility of representation in of citizens' interests in minor cases in the courts.
This is the joint initiative of the law clinic and the Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision, which will be implemented with the support of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
The Ukrainian Legal Aid Foundation joined the cooperation. Eventually, international partners will also be involved. Memorandum on cooperation on the implementation of the pilot project was signed on December 14.
The students of the Faculty of Law of the National University of Kyiv will study a special course on the development of communication soft-skills on working with vulnerable groups of clients. They will undergo a production and pre-diploma practice at the centers for the provision of legal aid. In addition, students involved in the law clinic work will have an internship at the committees of the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
In addition, the Faculty of Law of the National University of Kyiv, the Association of its graduates, UNBA, the Ukrainian Legal Aid Foundation and the Coordination Centre agreed on the joint development of curricula and distance courses for students who are invited to work in the law clinic. They will also conduct joint activities aimed at raising the skills of the staff of the legal aid system, the teaching staff, and students of the University. The scientific and pedagogical staff, postgraduate students and doctoral students of the University will be involved in the development of proposals for draft laws and other normative and legal acts in the field of providing legal aid.
In the future, a pilot project for the creation of an independent provider of free legal aid based on law clinics is planned to be extended all over Ukraine.
More about the project here.
Popular news
Legal defence of military personnel
The model for legal assistance to veterans was discussed at the UNBA
A working meeting was held at the Ukrainian National Bar Association, during which representatives of the advocacy profession, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and a foreign expert discussed approaches to providing legal aid to veterans, the role of the advocacy profession in this system, and the experience of other countries.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The CJU has endorsed guarantees of the legal profession’s independence and has proposed a meeting with the BCU
The Council of Judges of Ukraine has responded to a letter from the Bar Council of Ukraine regarding the inadmissibility of the High Council of Justice granting immunity to a member of the High Council of Justice — a privilege not provided for by law — as well as regarding violations of constitutional guarantees of the independence of the legal profession and attorney-client privilege.
Interaction
The UNBA and the Ministry of Veterans are expanding their cooperation
War veterans, their family members, as well as the family members of fallen Defenders of Ukraine are to receive improved access to professional legal assistance and additional opportunities for independent legal protection.
Legislation
Advocates have warned that the draft Labor Code would curtail workers' protections
Certain provisions of the draft Labor Code of Ukraine regarding collective labor disputes undermine labor protections and do not comply with constitutional and international standards.
Legal defence of military personnel
Representatives from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the UNBA discussed veterans' access to justice
On April 3, a working meeting was held at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine with representatives of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, dedicated to improving the effectiveness of legal protection for war veterans and their families.
Educational events
The right of minors to marry: how judicial oversight works
The issue of granting minors the right to marry lies at the intersection of family law, child protection, and judicial discretion. The UNBA Committee on family law dedicated a webinar held on March 30 to this very topic.
Interaction
The UNBA and the Coordination headquarters have agreed to cooperate in assisting those released from captivity
Servicemen released from captivity, family members of prisoners of war, civilians deprived of their personal liberty as a result of armed aggression, as well as persons missing in connection with the war, will gain additional opportunities to access legal assistance and protect their rights.
Self-government
BCU: The HCJ’s decisions undermine the constitutional guarantees of the independence of the advocacy profession
The Bar Council of Ukraine has concluded that, in its recent decisions, the High Council of Justice has, without legal grounds, called into question the right of bar self-governing bodies to protect the guarantees of legal practice and has, in effect, attempted to grant one of its members — who retains the status of an advocate — special immunity from the Rules of professional conduct and disciplinary responsibility.
Publications
Volodymyr Matsko Extradition during wartime: when the risks outweigh the request
Volodymyr Matsko Extradition as a systemic form of rights violations
Victoria Yakusha, Law and Business The anti-corruption vertical cannot «take care» of the Bar as an institution, - acting head of the HQDCB
Censor.net Protecting advocates – protecting justice: addressing concerns about the new law
Ihor Kolesnykov A BRIEF SUMMARY REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDER ON EXTENDED CONFISCATION IN LATVIA REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSETS OF…
Valentyn Gvozdiy WORKING IN A WAR ZONE
Lydia Izovitova Formula of perfection
Sergiy Vylkov Our judicial system is so built that courts do not trust advocates
