UNBA delegation is attending a CCBE meeting in Vienna
The UNBA delegation, led by UNBA and BCU Chairman, Lidiia Izovitova, attends the plenary session of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe in Vienna, marking the 60th anniversary of Europe's largest professional advocacy organization. The Ukrainian Advocacy is represented by the UNBA and BCU Deputy Chairman, Valentyn Hvozdii, the Head of the Supreme Bar Audit Committee Maksym Boldin, and the Chairman of the Committee on International Relations Ivan Hrechkivskyi.
UNBA has observer status in the CCBE and is a party to the Memorandum on Mutual Recognition of Professional Development in Europe, which enables Ukrainian advocates to earn points for study abroad.
“For Ukraine, the crucial role of the CCBE is to protect the rights of advocates and the guarantees of advocacy at the international level. The organization is constantly drawing attention to these issues worldwide. So, last year, the CCBE sent 78 letters to 31 countries in defense of advocates whose rights and independence were threatened”, said UNBA and BCU Chairman, Lidiia Izovitova.
The UNBA systematically informs the CCBE regarding the pressure on advocates in Ukraine. Thus, in 2019, 4 applications were received from the UNBA concerning the deprivation of advocate Tselovalnychenko's right to practice in the ECHR; on the decision of the BCU on the priority of the principles of the advocates' activity in rendering professional legal assistance (adopted in response to the violation of the rights of lawyers by the judges of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court), and on obstruction of the work of the State Control Committee in Odessa. These appeals are on the agenda of the PECO Committee, which deals with the defense of the rights of advocates in Europe at the CCBE.
During the meeting of the CCBE Standing Committee, criminal issues were discussed in connection with the introduction of the post of prosecutor; issues of corporate social responsibility for bar associations in the aspect of diversity, draft CCBE legislative regulations on artificial intelligence. The event was attended by the leadership of the CCBE, presidents of the organization over the past 20 years, delegations from 32 CCBE member countries, delegations of associate members and observers, committees and working groups of the CCBE.
Popular news
Self-government
A report on Ukrainian advocacy was presented in the European Parliament
Can a shadow report on advocacy replace the political framework of the Roadmap on the rule of law with demands for the restructuring of self-government? Where is the line between accountability and the seizure of institutions? And how can we respond to narratives with data rather than impressions?
Guarantees of the practice of law
Proceedings opened following attack on advocate in Dnipro
The Committee for the protection of advocates' rights and guarantees of legal practice of the UNBA appealed to law enforcement agencies in connection with an advocate's report of an attack while performing his professional duties. The information was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations and a pre-trial investigation was initiated.
Abroad
UNBA office opens in EU capital
To strengthen the institutional presence of the Ukrainian advocacy community at the European level, an office of the Ukrainian National Bar Association has been opened in Brussels (Belgium), which will serve as a permanent platform for dialogue with European partners.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Identifying an advocate with a client is a blow to justice, — V. Gvozdiy
By defending individuals in criminal proceedings, advocates are in fact fighting for every person's right to a fair trial. Therefore, any identification of an advocate with their client is a blow not only to the profession, but also to justice itself.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Impunity for public stigmatization of advocates violates the constitutional right to defense
The prohibition of identifying an advocate with a client is an international standard enshrined in the Law «On advocacy and legal practice». However, without accountability, this guarantee does not work, which poses a direct threat to the realization of the right to defense and the principle of adversarial proceedings.
Legislation
Inheritance of a share in joint property and more: advocates have made comments
In the event of the death of one of the subjects of joint shared ownership, the shares of each of the co-owners in the joint shared ownership shall be deemed equal, unless otherwise agreed between them, by law, or by a court decision.
Discussion
How the reform of advocacy is «preventing» Ukraine from signing the Council of Europe Convention
During the regular meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on legal policy held on January 12, MPs heard information from the Ministry of Justice on resolving the issue of signing and ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of the profession of advocate.
Legislation
Implementation of the Roadmap: the composition of the working group ensures a high level of expertise
The composition of the Working Group on the implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law in relation to advocacy demonstrates the high institutional level of the experts involved by the Ukrainian National Bar Association in the formation of a package of decisions.
Publications
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
Iryna Vasylyk Advocacy in the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine
