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
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.
Legislation
The UNBA is counting on the swift ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer
The ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer must be accompanied by targeted amendments to legislation to strengthen safeguards for advocates, but should not be used as a pretext for dismantling the self-governing model of advocacy.
Interaction
A manifesto on AI in law was presented in Europe. The UNBA has joined the initiative
On June 24, as part of European Legal Sovereignty Day, which took place in Brussels, the Manifesto for a Referential of Human Guarantee in the Legal Use of AI was presented.
Court practice
Lidiya Izovitova identified 7 challenges in administrative proceedings for advocates
The predictability of judicial practice, jurisdictional disputes, cassation filters, enforcement of judgments against the state, the burden of proof, written proceedings, and guarantees for the practice of law remain key issues in administrative justice for advocates.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Preparations for the ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer are in the final stages
On June 9, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on legal policy held a working meeting to prepare for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer. The Ministry of Justice and the Ukrainian National Bar Association agreed on approaches to draft laws regarding the ratification and implementation of the Convention. Participants have been given 10 days to prepare the draft laws that will be submitted for consideration.
Announcements
Internships at German law firms: IRZ is accepting applications from Ukrainians
In 2026, the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) plans to organize a multilateral internship program for young advocates from partner countries. Participants will attend an introductory seminar in Bonn and complete internships at law firms in Germany.
Appointment
A representative of the UNBA will be stationed in Düsseldorf
By Order No. 159 of the President of the UNBA, BCU, dated June 3, 2026, advocate Vyacheslav Us has been appointed as the representative of the Ukrainian National Bar Association in the Federal Republic of Germany, in the city of Düsseldorf.
Legislation
Accountability for denying the Holodomor requires clear boundaries – UNBA
Criminal liability for denying the Holodomor as genocide must be formulated in a way that avoids the risk of arbitrary interpretation of the law. Otherwise, it becomes possible to criminalize not only unlawful acts but also scientific or historical debate.
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