The funding gap in the Free Legal Aid System (FLAS) will be the subject of a separate working group study
A meeting of the Committee on Free Legal Aid was held with the participation of Oleksii Boniuk, Director of the Coordination Center for Legal Aid.
The central topic of the meeting was the situation with the accumulation of arrears for the provided legal aid in the system of free legal aid. According to the chairman of the committee, Serhii Vilkov, the committee receives appeals and lawyers' complaints about this problem that has arisen all over the country. During the meeting, appeals from lawyers of Kyiv and Lviv were considered.
The FLAS Committee will address the Council of Lawyers of Ukraine with the initiative to set up a working group to study these issues, as well as a working group to study the distribution of cases in the FLAS system.
In turn, the director of the Co-ordinating Center Oleksii Boniuk assured that the problem was communicated to the leadership of the Ministry of Justice and will be resolved in the near future. In addition, in order to prevent its occurrence next year, the Ministry of Justice will submit the necessary proposals to the 2019 draft budget.
The committee discussed the concept of mentoring, which is planned to be introduced for advocates of FLAS in order to improve the quality of legal aid. Serhii Vilkov and Oleksii Boniuk noted the constructive nature of the cooperation between the profile committee of the UNBA and the Coordinating Center, which contributes to the increase of the level of provision of FLAS, the professional protection of the rights and interests of citizens and the establishment of a rule of law state.
Popular news
Edition
Advocate or lobbyist? The UNBA has presented a guide to distinguishing between the professions
The Ukrainian National Bar Association has prepared a guide that helps distinguish between the legal status of an advocate and a lobbyist, explains the limits of permissible activities for each, and prevents possible violations of ethical and legal standards when participating in public policy-making.
Announcements
Essay contest on the synergy of human and artificial intelligence in diplomacy has begun
The Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv invites students from higher education institutions in Ukraine to participate in the Second All-Ukrainian essay competition on the topic «Modern Ukrainian diplomacy: synergy of human and artificial intelligence in defending national interests».
Abroad
Where is the line between respect for the court and the dignity of an advocate?
Ukrainian advocates sometimes complain about condescending attitudes or tactless remarks from judges. But such conflicts are not unique to Ukraine. In various countries, advocates raise issues of communication culture in court, mutual respect, and the inadmissibility of humiliating participants.
Discussion
Occupational safety during wartime: legal risks and employer liability
On October 21, the National Bar Association of Ukraine held a round table discussion on «Occupational safety in conditions of martial law». Participants discussed how the war has changed the requirements for safe working conditions, what guarantees remain for employees, and what responsibility employers bear for violations of legislation in this area.
Abroad
The Czech advocacy has spoken out in defense of the professional independence of its Ukrainian colleagues
The Czech Bar Association (Česká advokátní komora, ČAK) will appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian authorities to ensure the preservation of the independence of advocacy in Ukraine.
Legal defence of military personnel
When agreement is (im)possible: family disputes involving military personnel
The number of family cases involving military personnel is growing, with the most common issues being divorce, division of joint property, alimony, deprivation or contestation of parental rights, adoption, establishment of guardianship, and cases related to domestic violence.
Self-government
Marina Stavniychuk: The UNBA is a professional organization, not a monopoly
A unitary state requires uniform standards for access to the profession and disciplinary responsibility, which is why the Ukrainian National Bar Association acts as a professional organization. Accusations of monopoly are false, because public associations cannot replace professional self-government.
Legislation
UNBA warned about the risks of uncoordinated changes regarding incapacitated persons
The Ukrainian National Bar Association supports the idea of strengthening guarantees for persons declared legally incompetent by a court, but warns against adopting changes that are not coordinated with each other. To ensure real, rather than declarative, protection of rights, a systematic review of the provisions of the Civil Code and the Code of Civil Procedure is necessary.
Publications
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
Iryna Vasylyk Advocacy in the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine
Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…
Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences
