The Bar Council of Ukraine begins its meeting
Today, April 2, a meeting of the Bar Council of Ukraine is taking place in Kyiv. On the agenda are issues related to the activities of bar self-governing bodies, consideration of a decision by the High Council of Justice, a number of appeals, as well as a discussion of the current state and pressing issues regarding the functioning of the legal aid system.
According to the approved agenda, members of the BCU are to consider the approval of the revised Regulations on the Bar Council of Cherkasy Region and the Regulations on the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar of Cherkasy Region.
Separately, the agenda includes consideration of the High Council of Justice’s decision regarding measures to ensure the independence of HCJ member R. Maselko in connection with the actions of bar self-governing bodies.
The agenda also includes consideration of three appeals related to the conduct and legality of the actions of BCU member Serhiy Osyka: from Iryna Didenko, deputy head of the Department of international cooperation at the Office of the Prosecutor General; advocate Vitaliy Bilous and Serhiy Osyka himself.
In a separate item, BCU members will discuss the status and current issues regarding the functioning of the free legal aid system.
Read about the decisions adopted during this BCU meeting in the news feed on the website of the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
Popular news
Legislation
The path to ratification of the Convention must not end in yet another delay — L. Izovitova
Ukraine’s preparations for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer have already passed key stages. Now, government institutions must submit the matter to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration. In doing so, Ukraine may complete the ratification process faster than EU member states.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Ukraine could be the first to implement a European mechanism for the protection of advocates. What’s holding it back?
Ukraine has a chance to be the first country to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer. Political support for this exists, but the government’s legislative package has not yet been submitted to parliament. Meanwhile, the number of violations of advocates’ rights is on the rise.
Educational events
How can an advocate verify that work has been completed if the client refuses to sign the report?
When billing by the hour, the primary document for determining the fee may be a detailed report on the time spent by the advocate and the work performed. To prevent the client from withholding payment, the contract should specify in advance the procedure for submitting and approving such a report.
Self-government
The BCU took note of the public appeal from the HCJ
The Bar Council of Ukraine has determined that, given the current security situation, it is objectively impossible to hold, in accordance with the procedure established by the Law «On the advocacy and the practice of law», meetings of advocates, regional conferences of advocates and the Congress of Ukrainian Advocates, including for the purpose of electing two members of the High Council of Justice under the quota allocated to the Congress of Ukrainian Advocates.
War
The BCU has launched a digital project «Wall of Remembrance and Honor»
The Bar Council of Ukraine has adopted a resolution to launch the digital project «Wall of Remembrance and Honor». To this end, the UNBA is beginning to collect information on advocates and paralegals who lost their lives as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Legal defence of military personnel
«Advocate+» has expanded its operations to 18 military units
The «Advocate+» project of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, which assigns advocates to military units, has expanded its operations to 18 units. Specialists have already been assigned to the new participants and are set to begin consultations next week.
Appointment
The UNBA has established a Committee on cybersecurity and virtual assets
A permanent collegial advisory body — the Committee on cybersecurity and virtual assets has been established under the UNBA.
Legal defence of military personnel
Medical care, veterans' benefits and legal assistance: what changes are needed to protect service members
The consequences of torture and illnesses suffered by Ukrainian servicemembers while in captivity are not always properly documented or taken into account when providing social benefits. Therefore, a medical examination is crucial during the reintegration phase; it is also necessary for documenting war crimes.
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
