An advocate's refusal to provide guarantees does not exempt the investigation from the obligation to ensure them

The participation of a representative of the regional bar association during a search of an advocate's premises (inspection of his home or other property, premises where he carries out his activities, temporary access to his belongings and documents) is a legally established guarantee and does not depend on the will of the advocate himself. The advocate's refusal to allow a representative of the bar association to participate does not exempt the pre-trial investigation body from its obligation to ensure the implementation of this guarantee by all available means.

These conclusions were reached by the Bar Council of Ukraine in its decision of October 18, 2025, No. 115, following consideration of an appeal by an advocate who informed the UNBA of a violation of his professional rights in connection with an urgent search of his apartment.

BCU emphasized that a mandatory condition for conducting a search is the presence of a representative of the regional bar council or, on its behalf, a representative of the Committee for the protection of advocates' rights and guarantees of legal practice. This must be ensured by the investigating authority by notifying the regional bar association in advance, unless otherwise expressly provided for in the rules on urgent investigative actions. This guarantee is aimed at protecting advocate-client privilege and preventing abuse, as the professional activities of advocates are subject to a special legal regime of protection.

Since an advocate is a special subject to whom the guarantees of advocate practice and immunity apply, any interference in the sphere where lawyer-client privilege may be involved (information carriers, documents, electronic devices) must be carried out with maximum restriction of access to such information.

At the same time, it is not permissible to involve third parties (including representatives of bar self-government bodies) in familiarizing themselves with the content of information constituting attorney-client privilege (unless the client has given their express consent or it is provided for by law).

A representative of the regional bar association, although an advocate and performing the functions of advocate self-government, is not a party to the legal assistance agreement within which this secret arose. His task is to monitor compliance with the rights of the advocate and record violations, not to access the confidential content of the «advocate-client» relationship.

The law requires the investigation and the court to prevent access to attorney-client privilege, not to create mechanisms for its disclosure or «filtering» by third parties. The involvement of a representative of the regional bar association or a member of the Committee for the protection of advocates' rights and guarantees of legal practice in the selection or review of seized documents, files, or electronic information during a search of an advocate's office is unacceptable and leads to an expansion of the circle of persons who have access to confidential information.

Representatives of the advocate self-government do not have the authority to access advocate-client privilege. They are authorized only to monitor the observance of the advocate's rights during the search, make comments to the protocol, and prepare relevant reports (certificates) for the Council.

The full text of BCU Decision No. 115 can be viewed at this link.