Lidia Izovitova and Valentyn Gvozdy participated in the 4th International Forum of Advocates in Berlin
The Head of UNBA, BCU Lidia Izovitova and the Deputy Head of UNBA, BCU Valentyn Gvozdii participated in the 4th International Forum of Advocates, which took place in Berlin on April 4-5.
The forum is organized by the German Federal Bar every two years.
This event is an extremely important platform for discussing the whole spectrum of issues of the legal profession throughout the world.
This year Forum was dedicated to the attorney-client priviledge - the forum was called "Confidentiality - Lawyers' Worry." One of the basic principles of the legal profession now faces numerous challenges - from the requirements of law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes, measures to counter terrorism to the development of media and social networks. The forum participants discussed models of attorney-clients priviledge in different countries, ways of preserving confidential data received by advocates and improving the effectiveness of its protection.
The forum's main speaker was Mark D. Agrast, vice president of World Justice Project, who spoke about world trends and threats to attorney-client priviledge.
Three blocks of discussion were devoted to the obligation to preserve the attorney-client priviledge, conflict zones that threaten the attorney-client priviledge, and the existence of the principle of confidentiality in the virtual space. The leaders of the Bars of Germany, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Slovenia, Russia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Tunisia, representatives of the German large business and structures of the European Union, in particular, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), became the participants of the panel discussions.
In Berlin, Lidia Izovitova also held a series of meetings with leading Bars from Europe and around the world, as well as with the President of the IBA. As a result, preliminary agreements were reached to hold joint events for Ukrainian advocates in Ukraine and abroad.
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
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.
Interaction
Energy law: the UNBA and the ADMGE have agreed to cooperate
Advocates will deepen their professional expertise in the field of energy law, and participants in the distributed and flexible generation market will have greater opportunities to obtain professional legal assistance.
Educational events
How glasses help you switch off advocate mode – a lifehack
The constant need to be available to clients, thinking about cases outside of work hours, and internalizing others’ emotions blur the line between an advocate’s professional and personal life. That is why it is important to practice switching between contexts, use external «anchors» and separate one’s own responsibilities from those of the client.
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
