UNBA representatives visited Spain
On June 11-13, the UNBA delegation, headed by the head of UNBA, BCU Lidia Izovitova, was in Spain with an introductory visit.
During the visit, the Head of UNBA, BCU Lidia Izovitova had the chance to reach a fundamental agreement on further cooperation over a personal meeting with the Head of the Spanish Bar Association Victoria Ortega Benito. Also, the Ukrainian delegation met with representatives of the Spanish Bar and Bar Council of Madrid: familiarized with the organization of their work, discussed a number of relevant issues of institutional interaction with Ukrainian lawyers. Particularly interesting aspect of such cooperation is the provision of free legal aid: Spanish model has convincing advantages and deserves further research in order to study the implementation of some of its components in Ukraine. The topic of the legal aid was central during a meeting of the UNBA delegation with the Ministry of Justice of Spain.
The UNBA delegation also held a meeting in the Supreme Court, which is currently considering cases involving participants in the conflict around Catalonia. In this context, the experience of the interaction of advocates and law enforcement agencies in resonant cases was discussed, and it was emphasized that the priority of law is unconditional.
Ukrainian advocates also had an excursion to the Parliament of the Kingdom of Spain.
The delegation included the Head of the Committee on International Relations Ivan Grechkivskii and his deputy Vitalii Vlasiuk, Head of HQDBC Sergii Vylkov, heads of regional bar councils Sergiy Udovychenko, Viktoria Gaivoronska, Galyna Rudenko, Tetiana Leshchenko, Galyna Yakuba and Head of the UNBA Secretariat Vadym Krasnyk.
Head of UNBA, BCU Lidia Izovitova noted the effective efforts of the Head of the UNBA's foreign office in Spain Lilia Mykolayiv and the UNBA Committee on International Relations to organize this visit and its program content, and also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Embassy of Ukraine in Spain for the support of the visit of Ukrainian delegation.
We remind that UNBA continues to develop a network of foreign offices to help Ukrainians living or staying in other countries, as well as promoting foreign investment. In November 2018 UNBA signed corresponding Memorandum on Cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
Popular news
Interaction
The UNBA is developing a concept for a Center for expert research
The Ukrainian National Bar Association has begun work on a concept for a Center for expert research, which is intended to provide advocates and their clients with access to specialized knowledge and the ability to have expert opinions professionally reviewed.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Ombudsman calls for a firm response to violence against advocates
Every instance of obstruction of an advocate’s lawful activities, use of physical force, delaying an investigation, or concealment of evidence must be subject to a proper legal assessment. The state is obligated to ensure that the right to a defense is a genuine guarantee.
Greetings
The UNBA congratulates Denis Maslov on his appointment as Minister of Justice
Denis Maslov’s many years of experience as a advocate, his work as a judge and his tenure as chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’s Committee on legal policy have given him a deep understanding of how the legal system functions and the challenges it faces.
Legislation
The Verkhovna Rada explained why the section on advocacy should be removed from the anti-corruption strategy
The section on advocacy and legal aid in the draft anti-corruption strategy for 2026–2030 goes beyond the scope of anti-corruption policy and is inconsistent with the constitutional guarantees of the independence of the legal profession.
Announcements
Advocates are invited to the III UAA Arbitration Academy 2026
The UNBA, at the initiative of the Committee on alternative dispute resolution, invites advocates, lawyers, students, judges, government officials and anyone interested in international arbitration to participate in the III UAA Arbitration Academy 2026.
Educational events
How can an advocate recharge if fatigue persists after the weekend?
Fatigue resulting from prolonged stress does not always go away after sleep, a weekend, or a vacation. In situations of chronic stress, it is important for advocates not only to «take a break» but also to understand exactly which resource has been depleted and what type of rest is needed.
Discussion
Complaints, time limits and prosecutorial powers: what gaps in the CPC do advocates see?
During the pretrial investigation stage, the effectiveness of the defense depends to a large extent on the proper implementation of procedural safeguards: the timely consideration of complaints, the advocate’s access to information regarding the progress of the proceedings and so on.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The NACP’s clarification regarding the declaration of membership in the UNBA should be clarified – BCU
An advocate’s membership in the UNBA is an element of professional status arising by virtue of law, rather than a voluntary private membership in an association. Therefore, failure to disclose it in a declaration should not automatically lead to the conclusion of unethical conduct or the concealment of a private interest.
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