Identifying advocates with clients: UNBA presents guidelines for the media

The Ukrainian National Bar Association has prepared a guide for journalists, the media, and the public, which explains the concept of «identifying an advocate with a client» and offers practical recommendations on how to avoid violations of the guarantees of legal practice.

The document was presented by UNBA spokesperson and Oleksiy Shevchuk, chairman of the Committee on information policy and interaction with the media, during a discussion entitled «Protecting advocates from identification with clients: international standards and the Ukrainian context», which took place on September 8 in Kyiv.

«This is a local regulatory act that we have as a self-regulating community — advocacy — explained by O. Shevchuk, - he said. - It can be used by journalists. And in fact, this is an explanation issued by our community on how to act, which is identification in the understanding of the law».

The document notes that the prohibition on identifying an advocate with a client has existed in Ukrainian legislation since 2012, but for a long time it was only declarative in nature. Law No. 4547-IX, adopted in July 2025, established administrative liability for such actions for the first time.

According to the chairman of the relevant Committee of the UNBA, the problem of identification has a real dimension: during strategic sessions with the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting, dozens of cases were recorded in the media. Most often, they occur in regional online publications that operate without professional standards and, in fact, in the language of blogs.

According to the speaker, it is unacceptable to «identify and give any negative connotation to a person who is doing their job».

Therefore, the document contains relevant practical advice for the media, journalists, and public figures. Among them are a focus on describing the procedural actions of an advocate, using neutral wording, and avoiding emotional epithets or personal assessments. It is unacceptable to use phrases such as «advocate for corrupt officials» or «defender of murderers». At the same time, examples of safe and unsafe statements are provided for convenience. A «quick test» is also suggested: replace the words «advocate» and «client» with «doctor» and «patient». If the expression sounds absurd, it cannot be used in relation to an advocate.

The Ukrainian National Bar Association is convinced that the new rules do not restrict freedom of speech, but are aimed at ensuring a balance between the constitutional right to free speech and guarantees of the independence of the advocate profession.

The guide can be downloaded at this link.