The BCU explained the consequences of suspending the decision of the QDCB

How should the term of disciplinary punishment in the form of suspension of the right to practice advocacy be calculated if the Higher Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the advocacy temporarily suspended the decision of the regional Qualification and Disciplinary Commission, and the advocate continued to work during this period?

The answer to this question was provided by the Bar Council of Ukraine in its decision of October 18, 2025, No. 122.

We remind you that, in accordance with the Law «On the advocacy and the practice of law», the right to practice law is suspended from the date of the relevant decision of the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Advocacy, and an appeal against it does not suspend the effect of such a decision. At the same time, the Regulations on the consideration of complaints regarding improper conduct by an advocate, which may result in disciplinary liability, and the Rules of procedure of the Higher Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Advocacy provide that the Higher Commission may, by a separate decision, suspend the decision of the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Advocacy until a decision is made based on the results of the consideration of the complaint.

By a decision of the QDCB, the advocate was brought to disciplinary responsibility for violating the Rules of professional conduct and failing to comply with the decisions of the bar self-government bodies, and a penalty was imposed in the form of suspension of the right to practice as an advocate for a period of five months. Disagreeing with this decision, she filed a complaint with the Higher Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Advocacy, which suspended the decision of the Disciplinary Commission. At the same time, the Higher Commission's final decision was to dismiss the complaint. However, during the period of suspension of the QDCB decision, the advocate continued to provide legal assistance in courts, which led to an appeal to the Bar Council of Ukraine with a request to calculate the term of disciplinary punishment and the legal status of the advocate during this period.

Bar Council of Ukraine concluded that if the Higher Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Advocates suspends the decision of the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Advocates to suspend the right to practice as an advocate, then the term of disciplinary punishment should also be considered suspended: The period of disciplinary liability of an advocate is suspended for the duration of the disciplinary case being considered by the Higher Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Advocates. At the same time, from the moment the HQDCB makes its final decision, the suspended period is resumed, and the term continues from the moment it was suspended.

And in the event of the HQDCB suspending the decision of the QDCB to bring an advocate to disciplinary responsibility in the form of deprivation of the right to practice law, the effect of such a decision is resumed from the date of the HQDCB's decision to leave the complaint unsatisfied and the QDCB's decision unchanged.