How the UNBA is developing a legal support system for war victims
The UNBA Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms and European integration legal support for recovery in the Context of European Integration held an off-site meeting in Mykolaiv.
The discussion focused on the initial results of the «Advocate+» project, the development of digital tools for filing complaints, the preparation of guidance materials, and proposals for amendments to subordinate legislation.
The «Advocate+» project has already completed its first month in a pilot format. Its essence lies in assigning advocates to military units to provide primary legal assistance to service members and their family members. The Committee decided to continue the pilot and expand it to other brigades.
Service members and their families need assistance not only with issues related to military service, payments, medical boards, document restoration, or the status of family members of deceased service members. Some inquiries also concern civilian matters — family, inheritance, credit, and other issues that remain relevant regardless of military service.
The «Advocate+» project’s digital platform was also presented. It is designed to simplify access to primary legal aid for service members, veterans, and their family members. Through the platform, users can submit a request for a consultation, specify their military unit, and describe the issue they are seeking assistance with. The platform will also feature practical resources and provide an opportunity for advocates to join the project.
Another area of the Committee’s work has been the preparation of methodological materials. These address issues related to military service, obtaining status, financial support, social guarantees, rehabilitation, housing, discharge from service, as well as action plans for families of missing, captured, and deceased service members.
Meeting participants also discussed the need for systematic legal support for individuals returning from captivity or from temporarily occupied territories. Such individuals often face challenges in restoring documents, confirming legal status, receiving benefits, accessing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and social guarantees.
Based on the collected appeals and practical cases, the Committee prepared a package of proposals for amendments to government resolutions and ministerial orders.
Popular news
Support
Protecting the legal profession, cybersecurity and support for advocates: common themes for the IBA and the UNBA
On September 18, a working meeting was held at the office of the Ukrainian National Bar Association with Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA) Mark Ellis. The parties discussed the Ukrainian advocacy profession’s participation in European legal processes, the protection of the UNBA’s digital infrastructure, psychological support for advocates and future areas of cooperation.
War
Are Europe's advocacy associations prepared for a potential war? V. Gvozdiy shared lessons from the Ukrainian experience
The continuity of the bar’s self-governance, the protection of professional registries and archives, as well as equal guarantees of employment for advocates, judges, and prosecutors must be enshrined in advance in legislation in the event of war or another emergency.
Educational events
How DISC helps manage «tigers», «monkeys», «elephants» and «turtles»
The same instruction from a manager may motivate one employee to take action, while leaving another without the necessary guidance. People perceive work tasks differently: for some, a deadline and the expected outcome are enough, while others need explanations, time or a detailed plan.
Legislation
The Verkhovna Rada is preparing a bill to implement the Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer
Members of Parliament plan to introduce a bill in the near future to implement the main provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer. This parliamentary initiative may also prompt the government to expedite the preparation of the ratification package.
Educational events
What an advocate should consider when a fee dispute escalates into a complaint to the QDBC
If an advocate files a lawsuit seeking to recover fees from a client, the client may in turn file a complaint with the High Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar in an effort to compel the advocate to withdraw the lawsuit. How do the advocacy’s disciplinary bodies handle such cases?
Edition
Veteran-advocates returning to the practice of law: the UNBA has prepared recommendations
Military service is incompatible with the practice of law; therefore, an advocate suspends their practice for the duration of their service. However, upon returning, they must reinstate their right to practice law, refresh their knowledge and reestablish their organizational and digital processes.
Educational events
Energy, focus and priorities: how an advocate should plan their day
A rigid workday schedule becomes irrelevant when your routine depends on air raid alerts and disrupted sleep caused by nighttime explosions. Under such conditions, advocates should assess the resources they can actually manage.
Discussion
Appeals by NGOs and advocates' access to the SLC were discussed with the State Geocadastre
Advocates’ access to data from the State Land Cadastre remains limited: there is no separate access, and a court order is required to obtain coordinates. At the same time, the functionality for generating extracts from the State Land Cadastre as of a specific date still needs further refinement. The State Geocadastre is working on this.
Publications
Vasyl Kolishnyi, «Law and Business» Supporting mental health should become part of the professional culture of the Bar, - H. Udovenko
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
