UNBA urged Government to extend priority vaccination on advocates
UNBA urged Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and National Security and Defense Council to extend of priority vaccination on advocates, subject to their individual consent.
The relevant decision was made by the Bar Council of Ukraine (hereinafter – BCU) on the session on April 2 of 2021.
BCU emphasized that judicial system continued operation during the quarantine since the constitutional right to judicial protection must not be restricted even in the state of emergency.
At the same time, the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine in a letter dated March 20, 2020, № 14-5711/20 noted that the institutions of the justice system can be classified as institutions at risk of coronavirus infection, and the Council of Judges of Ukraine in a letter dated March 16, 2020, № 9-rs- 186/20 recommended that courts introduce a special regime of courts for the period of quarantine measures.
Despite the introduction of quarantine and the epidemic situation in Ukraine due to the spread of acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, attorneys have performed and continue to perform their professional duties, including providing legal assistance. Thus, attorneys did not stop for a single day, even during periods of rapid growth in the incidence of acute respiratory disease COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
The Bar Council of Ukraine stressed that only during the last week of March 2021 it became known about the death of two practicing attorneys from this disease. Many attorneys have contracted acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in connection with their professional duties, as the attorney`s work is directly related to daily communication with clients, law enforcement officers, judges, experts, witnesses, constant movement by regions, visiting remand centers, colonies, hospitals, etc.
On February 8, 2021, UNBA and the BCU addressed Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with a request to include attorneys in the list of persons subject to priority vaccination (letter № 153/0 / 2-21 of 08.02.0221). However, the UNBA did not receive a response to this letter.
After discussing the situation, BCU decided to send a second appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the National Security and Defense Council to include attorneys in the priority vaccination register.
Popular news
European integration
A translation of the report on advocacy presented to the European Parliament has been published
A translation of a research report on the Ukrainian advocacy profession in wartime, previously presented to the European Parliament in Brussels, has been published. The document is presented as a basis for discussion on the rule of law, Ukraine's European integration aspirations, and countering Russian disinformation in the legal sphere.
Legislation
The Verkhovna Rada Committee criticized the format of the government working group on advocacy
The implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law (approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 475-r of May 14, 2025) in relation to advocacy raises the practical question of who exactly should prepare legislative changes and how.
Self-government
The BCU demands a review of the composition of the government working group on reforming the advocacy profession
The President of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova, appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to review the composition of the working group on improving legislation in the field of advocacy and legal practice.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The President has determined, who will sign the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy authorized Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Mykola Tochytskyi to sign the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.
Discussion
Why lowering the age of marriage lacks legal logic
Although until 2012 there was a provision in family law that allowed children to marry from the age of 14 under certain circumstances, its return to Ukrainian law would contradict international obligations and the logic of criminal law.
European integration
Open dialogue between the UNBA and the European Commission on the path to EU
The Ukrainian National Bar Association held a working meeting in Brussels with Mr Wolfgang Nozar, Head of Unit for Governance, Rule of Law and Financial Assistance, Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), European Commission.
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?
European integration
UNBA and Ukraine's representation to the EU have synchronized their priorities
On February 5, in Brussels, the President of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova held a working meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, Representative of Ukraine to the European Union Vsevolod Chentsov.
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
