Radio Liberty investigation confirms: advocate Lidiya Izovitova acted within the law

On June 17, Radio Liberty published an article on the activities of the High Council of Justice in 2004-2014. Prior to publication, journalist Serhiy Andrushko asked the Ukrainian National Bar Association to comment on Lidiya Izovitova's activities as a member of the HCJ during that period. The UNBA provided an official response, noting that Lidiya Izovitova has not held any positions in the High Council of Justice/High Council of Justice since 2014 and has been focused exclusively on advocacy for over ten years.
We have reviewed the published investigation and can confidently state that no facts of violation of the law by advocate Lidiya Izovitova were found in the material. All references boil down to the fact that she performed her duties as part of a collegial body — the High Council of Justice — together with other officials at that time. This is no secret and has never been a crime.
The investigation pays particular attention to the careers of her son and daughter, who were appointed judges in Kharkiv, the city where they live, study, and work. Both have the relevant education and experience and have undergone all the appointment procedures in accordance with the law. No evidence of violations, lobbying or conflict of interest has been provided.
In fact, the journalistic investigation confirmed what advocate Lidiya Izovitova has consistently emphasized for many years: her actions as a member of the High Council of Justice were lawful, transparent and professional.
In view of this, we can only thank the authors of the publication for their thorough work. After all, perhaps unwittingly, they have confirmed the integrity of advocate Lidiya Izovitova better than she could have done herself.
Yevgeniy Solodko, Chairman of the UNBA Committee on the Protection of Lawyers' Rights and Guarantees of the Practice of Advocacy.
Popular news

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?
Publications

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

Iryna Vasylyk Advocacy in the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine

Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…

Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences

Lydia Izovitova Interview with Lydia Izovitova on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of UNBA: We are the voice of t…