Attempts to pressure advocates through the media are unacceptable – UNBA

Advocacy
14:05 Wed 18.06.25 88 Reviews
Print

The Ukrainian National Bar Association condemned attempts to pressure an advocate through the dissemination of false information in the media and reiterated the guarantees of independence of the profession.

A series of publications appeared on little-known Internet resources against an advocate who represented a client in a high-profile bankruptcy case involving a large state-owned enterprise. These publications contained offensive information and unsubstantiated allegations of alleged involvement in fraudulent schemes, violations of professional ethics, abuse of client trust, and use of family connections to influence the court and law enforcement agencies.

At the same time, during the entire period of the advocate’s professional activity, no complaints had been filed against him with the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar.

In order to refute the disseminated information, the advocate appealed to the website administrators with a request to remove the inaccurate information, but received no response. He then asked the Ukrainian National Bar Association to protect his professional rights.

The UNBA Committee for the Protection of Lawyers' Rights and Guarantees of the Legal Profession investigated the circumstances of the case and recalled that any form of pressure on a lawyer, including through the dissemination of inaccurate, offensive or defamatory information about him or his family members, is unacceptable and constitutes a threat to the independence of the legal profession.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law and by a court verdict. Attempts to exert unlawful influence on an advocate pose a serious threat to the institution of advocacy and justice as a whole.

Any form of obstruction of the lawful activities of a defense lawyer or representative providing legal assistance, or violation of the guarantees established by law for their activities, is a crime punishable under Article 397 (Interference in the activities of a defense lawyer or representative) of the Criminal Code.

The UNBA called for respect for the legal profession and refraining from spreading unfounded accusations against members of the profession.

According to Article 277 of the Civil Code, a person whose personal non-property rights have been violated as a result of the dissemination of inaccurate information about them and/or their family members has the right to respond and to refute this information. The refutation of inaccurate information shall be carried out by the person who disseminated the information, regardless of their fault, in the same manner in which the information was disseminated.

Popular news

Those who equate advocates with clients will be fined – law passed

Legislation

Those who equate advocates with clients will be fined – law passed

Public identification of an advocate with a client to whom such advocate provides professional legal assistance will become an administrative offense, and forms of interference in the activities of an advocate, for which liability is provided for in Article 397 of the Criminal Code, are detailed.

19:32 Wed 16.07.25 150
The HCJ continues to ignore the legal deadlines for forming the Competition Commission of the HQCJ

Self-government

The HCJ continues to ignore the legal deadlines for forming the Competition Commission of the HQCJ

The High Council of Justice continues to violate the statutory deadlines for forming a new competition commission to select members of the Competition Commission of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine.

17:18 Mon 23.06.25 121
UNBA asked the UBA about the facts of the alleged violations of lawyers' rights

Advocacy

UNBA asked the UBA about the facts of the alleged violations of lawyers' rights

The National Bar Association of Ukraine is concerned about information regarding violations of the professional rights of advocates and guarantees of advocacy, which was disseminated on June 16 by the UPO «Ukrainian Bar Association». This issue will be discussed at a meeting of the Bar Council of Ukraine.

14:49 Fri 20.06.25 107
Another conflict with the TCC: an advocate's leg was broken and his client jumped out of a window

Advocacy

Another conflict with the TCC: an advocate's leg was broken and his client jumped out of a window

On June 19, at the premises of the military medical commission, where a bus from the Krasnograd Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support delivered several people, an incident occurred involving the use of physical force against an advocate.

13:34 Fri 20.06.25 181
Independence of advocacy and accountability of expertise: different models, shared responsibility

Advocacy

Independence of advocacy and accountability of expertise: different models, shared responsibility

Two different models of professional organization coexist in Ukraine: advocacy with established self-government and judicial and expert activities that remain under state control. How can approaches be balanced, the openness of expert opinions ensured, and effective interaction between specialists established?

18:02 Mon 16.06.25 135
The Bar Council of Ukraine appealed to the High Council of Justice due to delays in forming the Competition Commission of the HQCJ

Advocacy

The Bar Council of Ukraine appealed to the High Council of Justice due to delays in forming the Competition Commission of t…

On June 13, 2025, Lidiya Izovitova, President of the Bar Council of Ukraine, addressed Grigory Usik, Head of the High Council of Justice, regarding the violation of the deadlines for forming a new composition of the Competition Commission for the selection of members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine.

17:29 Fri 13.06.25 170
UNBA calls for compliance with Council of Europe standards for the legal profession

Advocacy

UNBA calls for compliance with Council of Europe standards for the legal profession

The recently approved roadmap for EU accession in terms of bar reform refers to non-existent European standards and was adopted in violation of international principles. Therefore, before talking about changes, it is necessary to compare the current model of the bar with the Council of Europe standards embodied in the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.

14:19 Fri 06.06.25 186
National Police conducted searches of advocates without permission from investigating judge

Advocacy

National Police conducted searches of advocates without permission from investigating judge

A search of an advocate's home is not just an investigative measure, but a potential interference with attorney-client privilege, which is protected by law and international standards. It is all the more alarming when such actions are carried out without a court order, at night, and without clear justification of urgency. This new case once again raises the question: are exceptions becoming the rule and guarantees becoming a formality?

17:16 Tue 03.06.25 103

Надішліть файл із текстом публікації у форматі *.doc, фотографію за тематикою у розмірі 640х400 та Ваше фото.

Оберіть файл