The President was urged to sign the law on strengthening guarantees for advocacy activities

The professional community of advocates called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign Law No. 4547-IX, which strengthens guarantees for advocates' activities, in particular by introducing liability for identifying an advocate with a client.

The UNBA reminded that the current Law «On the advocacy and legal practice» (Part 16 of Article 23) prohibits identifying an advocate with a client. At the same time, national legislation does not establish specific liability for violating this guarantee, which creates risks of pressure and discrediting advocates and ultimately affects the realization of the right to legal assistance.

Law No. 4547-IX «On amendments to the Code of Ukraine on administrative offenses and the Criminal Code of Ukraine to ensure compliance with guarantees of advocacy» was adopted by parliament on July 16. The law has been awaiting the signature of the President of Ukraine for more than six months.

Separately, the association mentioned communication with the media and reported that on January 16, the UNBA held an extended round table discussion entitled «The Law on identification: the balance between the right to defense and freedom of speech». Following the discussion, the parties agreed that protecting advocates from stigmatization should not conflict with freedom of speech, and that the practical application of the law requires joint approaches and self-regulation.

The UNBA declared its readiness for comprehensive cooperation with the media, recognizing that quality journalism is a key factor in shaping objective public opinion. This involves not only providing explanations or comments, but also systematic work aimed at improving the professional level of journalists in the field of legal issues.

Advocates are increasingly being held hostage to political processes, with them being equated with their clients. Such actions not only undermine the authority and independence of the profession, but also create an atmosphere of intimidation, as a result of which Ukrainian citizens are effectively deprived of their right to qualified legal protection.

Therefore, the delay in signing the law perpetuates a legal vacuum in which advocates remain defenseless against information attacks and citizens lose hope for effective protection in criminal cases.

For more information about the round table, see the following materials:

Impunity for public stigmatization of advocates violates the constitutional right to defense

Identifying an advocate with a client is a blow to justice, — V. Gvozdiy

Self-governance of the advocacy profession is based on regulation and representation — EU representative

Balancing the right to protection and freedom of speech: the position of members of parliament

The limits of responsibility. How the media and advocates argued about identifying advocates with their clients