The subgroup on disciplinary procedures and ethics has begun reviewing proposals.
On March 2, the Ukrainian National Bar Association hosted a meeting of the subgroup «Disciplinary procedures and advocacy ethics» of the Working Group on the implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers' Resolution No. 475-r of May 14, 2025.
The meeting participants, who were joined by the heads of other thematic subgroups, discussed organizational steps for preparing proposals to improve the regulation of disciplinary procedures in the context of European standards. The Roadmap provides for the preparation of a draft law on improving the legal regulation of advocacy by the fourth quarter of 2026, as well as a focus on «transparent and effective disciplinary procedures».
As reported, by decision of the BCU dated 12.12.2025 No. 125, the Program for the implementation of the Roadmap in terms of reforming the advocacy sector was approved and a working group was created. In addition to representatives of the bar association, members of parliament who are part of the subcommittee on the organization and activities of the advocacy of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on legal policy, as well as an international component formed at the level of the CCBE and national institutions of the European advocacy, joined the work.
The President of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova, previously said that the working group operates on several levels: plenary sessions as a platform for adopting framework decisions, a coordination bureau for compiling documents and calendar control, and thematic subgroups for preparing norms and their justification.
During the meeting of the subgroup «Disciplinary procedures and advocacy ethics», participants determined the approach to further work and agreed to prepare materials within the established deadlines, in particular in the format of comparative tables and explanatory justifications. The next meeting is scheduled after the coordinator has reviewed the developments and their initial systematization.
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