Admission to the exam: BCU clarified the status of intellectual property diplomas
A master's degree in intellectual property may be an appropriate document to confirm a complete higher legal education for the purpose of obtaining the right to practice law, if it corresponds to specialty 081 «Law» (D8 «Law»).
This clarification was provided by the Bar Council of Ukraine in response to a lawyer's request by decision No. 144 of 13 December 2025.
The Bar Council of Ukraine reminded that, in accordance with part one of Article 8 of the Law «On the advocacy and the practice of law», a person who has expressed a desire to become an advocate and meets the requirements (in particular, has a full higher legal education), has the right to apply to the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Advocacy with a request to be admitted to the qualification exam.
The BCU reminded that, in accordance with Part 1 of Article 8 of the Law «On the advocacy and the practice of law», a person who meets the established requirements has the right to apply to the QDC with a request to be admitted to the qualification exam. The admission procedure, in particular the list of documents, is determined by the Procedure approved by the BCU decision No. 270 of 17 December 2013. Among other things, the applicant submits a state-approved document (original and notarized copy) and attachments thereto confirming that they have obtained a full higher legal education, not lower than a master's (specialist) degree - second (master's) level, specialization – «law», «jurisprudence», «law enforcement», «international law».
Separately, the BCU drew attention to the change in approaches to the state classification of specializations. Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 787 of 27 August 2010, which classified «Intellectual Property» (8.18010011) as a «Specific Category» field of knowledge, was repealed by Resolution No. 266 of 29 April 2015. And in accordance with the latter resolution, Order No. 1151 of the Ministry of Education and Science dated November 6, 2015, approved tables of correspondence between the old fields/specialties and the new list of fields of knowledge and specialties.
According to these tables, specialty 7.18010011 (8.18010011) «Intellectual Property» corresponds, in particular, to specialty 081 «Law» (as well as 076 «Entrepreneurship, Trade and Stock Exchange Activities»). This correspondence was additionally confirmed by the Directorate of Higher Education and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education and Science in letter No. 3/9031-25 dated 17.10.2025 (in response to the request of the UNBA dated 06.10.2025 No. 1668/0/2-25). The current correspondence of specialties according to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 29.04.2015 No. 266 (as amended by the resolution dated 30.08.2024 No. 1021) and the order of the Ministry of Education and Science dated 19.11.2024 No. 1625 is as follows: specialty 081 «Law» corresponds to specialty D8 «Law» in the field of knowledge D «Business, Administration and Law».
Taking this into account, the BCU concluded that a master's degree in the specialty «Intellectual Property», which corresponds to specialty 081 «Law» - specialty D8 Law in the field of knowledge D «Business, Administration and Law», is a valid document confirming that the person has obtained a complete higher legal education.
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
