UNBA and Ukraine's representation to the EU have synchronized their priorities
On February 5, in Brussels, the President of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova held a working meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, Representative of Ukraine to the European Union Vsevolod Chentsov.
The conversation focused on coordinating the implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 475-r of May 14, 2025, and on the priorities of the Ukrainian National Bar Association in cooperation with EU institutions in the context of the membership negotiation process.
Separately, the parties discussed Ukraine's signing of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer as a significant step towards strengthening guarantees of independent legal practice and the general standard of access to justice on the path to the EU.
The meeting in Brussels took place against the backdrop of the strengthening of the institutional presence of Ukrainian advocacy in the European capital: at the end of January, the UNBA office was opened there as a permanent platform for dialogue with European partners and more effective communication with EU institutions.
Popular news
Self-government
BCU: The HCJ’s decisions undermine the constitutional guarantees of the independence of the advocacy profession
The Bar Council of Ukraine has concluded that, in its recent decisions, the High Council of Justice has, without legal grounds, called into question the right of bar self-governing bodies to protect the guarantees of legal practice and has, in effect, attempted to grant one of its members — who retains the status of an advocate — special immunity from the Rules of professional conduct and disciplinary responsibility.
Interaction
Protecting the rights of service members: The UNBA and the Military Ombudsman have agreed on cooperation
Servicemembers, reservists, conscripts during training exercises, members of local community volunteer units, and other individuals covered by the Law «On the Military Ombudsman» should have better access to professional legal assistance.
Rule of Law Roadmap
Reform without data and advocacy: what the Ministry of Justice’s launch has revealed
The Ministry of Justice hosted the first meeting of the working group on bar reform. But instead of professional preparation of legislative changes, we saw exactly what Armada Network Director Dale Armstrong had spoken about the day before in Kyiv: not reform, but a struggle for control over the agenda through a narrow circle of “stakeholders” who create an echo chamber of influence for themselves.
Rule of Law Roadmap
Advocacy, European integration and the limits of intervention: an American report presented in Kyiv
Following its presentation in Brussels, the report «The Ukrainian advocacy in the context of the rule of law and European integration» made its way to Kyiv. It highlighted critical issues both in understanding the very nature of the self-governing profession and in the emergence of a «shadow market» surrounding the Ukrainian advocacy.
Discussion
ETAIDF and MMC: where the system fails
The new system for assessing a person’s daily functioning and the practice of undergoing medical-legal examinations have already raised numerous questions — ranging from unclear procedures to difficulties in appealing decisions. These issues were examined by advocates during the roundtable discussion «Problematic issues of the ETAIDF and MMC», organized by the UNBA Committee on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and the All-Ukrainian public organization «Human rights union of persons with disabilities».
Rule of Law Roadmap
Access to the advocate profession: a subgroup has identified the direction of change
On Monday, March 16, a meeting was held of the subgroup «Access to the profession and training of advocates. Organizational forms of legal practice» of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap.
Appointment
A representative of the UNBA has arrived in Cairo
Advocate Irena Maria Ostrozka-Sangushko has been appointed as the representative of the Ukrainian National Bar Association in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in the city of Cairo. The corresponding Order No. 80, dated March 10, 2026, was signed by the President of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova.
Rule of Law Roadmap
Organization of advocacy: subgroup agrees on approaches to regulatory reform
On March 13, a meeting was held of the «Organization of the advocacy and self-government» subgroup of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap regarding bar reform. The event was conducted via videoconference.
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
