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.
The UNBA Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms and European integration legal support for recovery together with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine has prepared «Guidelines for the return of veteran-advocates to the legal profession».
The document consists of eleven sections, which systematically outline the regulatory and methodological framework, the principles for returning to the practice of law, organizational and legal training, updating professional knowledge and skills, organizing the resumption of practice, mentoring and collegial support, accessibility, individual needs and professional well-being.
It also addresses recommendations for bar self-governing bodies, issues of professional ethics, attorney-client privilege, personal data protection, as well as the implementation and monitoring of the document’s application.
The section on organizational and legal training covers the reinstatement of the right to practice as an advocate, updating information in the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine, professional development and support measures.
As a reminder, pursuant to Decision No. 150 of the Bar Council of Ukraine dated December 13, 2025, veteran advocates of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who suspended their practice for more than one year in connection with the defense of the state were exempted from paying fees for professional development courses for one year following the resumption of their practice. In addition, paragraph 2.7 of the Regulations on Contributions to ensure the implementation of advocacy self-governance, approved by Decision No. 4 of the BCU dated February 3, 2017, provides for the exemption of attorney-veterans from the annual contribution for the year of reinstatement of their right to practice if their practice was suspended for one year or more due to service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The practical section of the publication consists of four appendices: a personal checklist for veteran advocates before resuming practice, a suggested roadmap for resuming practice, guidelines for mentoring support, and an organizational checklist for regional bar associations.
The recommendations are addressed to bar self-governing bodies, the Higher School of Advocacy of the UNBA, bar associations and law firms, participants in mentoring and peer support programs, as well as veteran advocates. The document is informational and methodological in nature and does not establish any special legal status, new professional rights or obligations.
The full text of the publication is available at this link.
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