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
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.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Restrictions on the right to legal assistance in pretrial detention centers are unacceptable – statement by the BCU
The Bar Council of Ukraine has stated that it is unacceptable to restrict the right to professional legal assistance, the guarantees of legal practice, and the confidentiality of communications between advocates and clients in pretrial detention facilities operated by the State Criminal-Executive Service of Ukraine.
European integration
The UNBA presented the CCBE with an overview of legal reform and challenges
Reform of the legal profession, Ukraine’s European integration commitments, guarantees of the profession’s independence, and practices of bar self-governance in European countries — these issues were the subject of discussion at the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).
Rule of Law Roadmap
The UNBA is compiling the findings of the subgroups regarding the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap
Today, May 28, the Ukrainian National Bar Association hosted a meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap regarding the reform of the advocacy profession. Following a series of meetings by thematic subgroups, the work is now moving to the stage of consolidating proposals and preparing a coordinated package of recommendations.
Discussion
UNBA discussed removing barriers at border crossings for families with children with disabilities
Families of children with disabilities face additional requirements when traveling abroad, particularly regarding consular registration. What is happening and what changes are needed to remove these obstacles were discussed during the roundtable «Borders without barriers for families of children with disabilities».
Discussion
New rules, old problems: the UNBA discussed the work of the ETAIDF and MMC
The reform of medical-social assessment and military medical commissions has changed procedures but has not resolved practical issues. People face situations where documents are not issued, decisions are based on technicalities, assessments are delayed, and they struggle to demonstrate their actual health status in specific life situations.
Legislation
Reports from digital platforms should not disclose attorney-client privilege – UNBA
The introduction of automatic exchange of income information via digital platforms is linked to Ukraine’s fulfillment of its international obligations and the alignment of its legislation with EU rules. However, the new tax regime should not create a mechanism through which tax authorities would obtain data on clients’ communications with advocates.
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