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

Advocacy
Another conflict with the TCC: an advocate's leg was broken and his client jumped out of a window
On June 19, at the premises of the military medical commission, where a bus from the Krasnograd Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support delivered several people, an incident occurred involving the use of physical force against an advocate.

Advocacy
Independence of advocacy and accountability of expertise: different models, shared responsibility
Two different models of professional organization coexist in Ukraine: advocacy with established self-government and judicial and expert activities that remain under state control. How can approaches be balanced, the openness of expert opinions ensured, and effective interaction between specialists established?

Advocacy
The Bar Council of Ukraine appealed to the High Council of Justice due to delays in forming the Competition Commission of t…
On June 13, 2025, Lidiya Izovitova, President of the Bar Council of Ukraine, addressed Grigory Usik, Head of the High Council of Justice, regarding the violation of the deadlines for forming a new composition of the Competition Commission for the selection of members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine.

Advocacy
UNBA calls for compliance with Council of Europe standards for the legal profession
The recently approved roadmap for EU accession in terms of bar reform refers to non-existent European standards and was adopted in violation of international principles. Therefore, before talking about changes, it is necessary to compare the current model of the bar with the Council of Europe standards embodied in the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.

Advocacy
Andriy Osipov appointed head of the Ukrainian State Film Agency
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Andriy Osipov as head of the Ukrainian State Film Agency.

Advocacy
Mobilization of advocates in court: UNBA records another case of pressure
The Ukrainian advocacy has once again faced extrajudicial influence on advocates with the aim of obstructing the exercise of their legitimate powers related to the provision of professional legal assistance to clients.

Advocacy
BCU demands verification of authenticity of SSU letter on «dangerous» advocacy
The Bar Council of Ukraine will appeal to the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk, regarding the verification of information about «negative trends in the legal profession» disseminated by some media outlets on behalf of the SSU.

Advocacy
Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Advocate open for signature
Thirteen member states of the Council of Europe have signed the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Advocate, which was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on March 12, 2025. Four more countries will do so today. Ukraine is not among them.
Publications

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

Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…

Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences

Lydia Izovitova Interview with Lydia Izovitova on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of UNBA: We are the voice of t…