All HSA courses for veterans resuming their legal practice are free of charge for one year
Bar Council of Ukraine has exempted veteran advocates of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who are resuming their activities after a year or more of suspension due to their duty to defend the state, from paying for professional development courses conducted by the Higher School of Advocacy. The exemption is valid for one year from the date of resumption of the right to practice.
The relevant changes were made to the Procedure for professional development of advocates of Ukraine, approved by Decision No. 63 of the Bar Council of Ukraine on July 3, 2021, during a meeting on December 13.
We remind you that, in accordance with Article 7 of the Law «On advocacy and the practice of law», military service is incompatible with the practice of an advocate. And in the event of incompatibility, the advocate must submit an application to suspend their legal practice to the regional bar association at their place of work within three days of the occurrence of such circumstances.
At the same time, while practicing law, an advocate is obliged to improve their professional level (Article 21 of the Law), and maintaining a high professional level of advocates is the task of the bar self-government (Article 44). Therefore, according to the general rule established by the Bar Council of Ukraine, in the event of resumption of legal practice that has been suspended for a year or more, an advocate is required to take special courses to improve their professional level in accordance with the program and procedure developed by the Higher School of Advocacy of the Ukrainian National Bar Association and approved by the Expert Council on Accreditation and Certification of the UNBA. The advocate is required to complete these courses within three months of resuming the right to practice as an advocate (clause 1 of the Procedure).
Following the discussion of the issue, the BCU decided to exempt veteran advocates of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who had suspended their legal practice for more than one year in connection with the performance of their civic duty to defend the state from paying for advanced training courses for a period of one year after resuming their legal practice.
Popular news
European integration
The UNBA presented the CCBE with an overview of legal reform and challenges
Reform of the legal profession, Ukraine’s European integration commitments, guarantees of the profession’s independence, and practices of bar self-governance in European countries — these issues were the subject of discussion at the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).
Rule of Law Roadmap
The UNBA is compiling the findings of the subgroups regarding the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap
Today, May 28, the Ukrainian National Bar Association hosted a meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap regarding the reform of the advocacy profession. Following a series of meetings by thematic subgroups, the work is now moving to the stage of consolidating proposals and preparing a coordinated package of recommendations.
Discussion
UNBA discussed removing barriers at border crossings for families with children with disabilities
Families of children with disabilities face additional requirements when traveling abroad, particularly regarding consular registration. What is happening and what changes are needed to remove these obstacles were discussed during the roundtable «Borders without barriers for families of children with disabilities».
Discussion
New rules, old problems: the UNBA discussed the work of the ETAIDF and MMC
The reform of medical-social assessment and military medical commissions has changed procedures but has not resolved practical issues. People face situations where documents are not issued, decisions are based on technicalities, assessments are delayed, and they struggle to demonstrate their actual health status in specific life situations.
Discussion
Co-parenting shouldn't be reduced to a 50/50 formula, — roundtable discussion
Following a divorce, joint custody can serve as a mechanism for ensuring equal parental rights. However, this model requires clear criteria and cannot be applied automatically without taking into account the child’s age, the level of conflict between the parents, the risk of violence, and the feasibility of enforcing the future decision.
Legislation
Penalties for errors in military registration require clear rules, – UNBA
The liability of officials for violations of military registration rules must be legally defined, proportionate, and effectively enforceable. Otherwise, the new fines will not protect citizens from registration errors but will create additional risks.
European integration
Lidiya Izovitova: In the context of European integration reforms, advocacy is a partner of the state, not a target of reform
The war has significantly altered the working conditions for advocates, while European integration has presented the profession with new institutional challenges. The ongoing negotiation process covers issues such as the rule of law, judicial independence, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The Verkhovna Rada discussed the next steps for ratifying the Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on legal policy held a working meeting to prepare for the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. The meeting was attended by members of parliament, representatives of the Office of the President, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
Publications
Volodymyr Matsko Extradition during wartime: when the risks outweigh the request
Volodymyr Matsko Extradition as a systemic form of rights violations
Victoria Yakusha, Law and Business The anti-corruption vertical cannot «take care» of the Bar as an institution, - acting head of the HQDCB
Censor.net Protecting advocates – protecting justice: addressing concerns about the new law
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
