UNBA's experience can be used in any country to develop the independence of the bar
The Ukrainian Bar is ready to share its experience with the bar of different countries to build an independent institution.
This was announced by the President of UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova during the conference "EU and Eastern Neighborhood", which took place in the Hague on November 23, 2021.
"On today's platform, which covers the professional audience of all member states of the Eastern Neighborhood of the European Union, I would like to demonstrate the openness of the Ukrainian legal profession to share its own experience of building an independent legal profession," said Lidiya Izovitova.
Among the successful projects she named the creation and development of the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine, the system of professional development, strong self-government and more. In addition, in her opinion, foreign colleagues may be interested in the core law "On the Bar and Practice of Law" in 2012.
President of UNBA, BCU noted that for 9 years this law has not changed significantly, which indicates that it implements European standards of legal profession independence and provides the legal community with effective tools for building a self-governing organization capable of ensuring a high level of professional standards of advocates and guarantee advocates to protect their rights and guarantees.
"The experience of the Ukrainian Bar in the implementation of this law can be used with the support of European institutions in any country of our region in order to strengthen the bar as a human rights institution in the interests of all citizens. We are ready to participate in any projects, events and consultations on the transfer of our success, our know-how, "said Lidiya Izovitova.
Currently, the Ukrainian Bar maintains contacts with colleagues in the countries of the Eastern region. In particular, relations with the bar associations of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan have already been established and developed. Relations include exchanges of visits, invitations to professional events on a national scale, mutual support within international organizations such as the CCBE or the Council of Europe, the provision of expertise on changes to national legislation, and more.
Popular news
Legislation
The path to ratification of the Convention must not end in yet another delay — L. Izovitova
Ukraine’s preparations for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer have already passed key stages. Now, government institutions must submit the matter to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration. In doing so, Ukraine may complete the ratification process faster than EU member states.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Ukraine could be the first to implement a European mechanism for the protection of advocates. What’s holding it back?
Ukraine has a chance to be the first country to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer. Political support for this exists, but the government’s legislative package has not yet been submitted to parliament. Meanwhile, the number of violations of advocates’ rights is on the rise.
Educational events
How can an advocate verify that work has been completed if the client refuses to sign the report?
When billing by the hour, the primary document for determining the fee may be a detailed report on the time spent by the advocate and the work performed. To prevent the client from withholding payment, the contract should specify in advance the procedure for submitting and approving such a report.
Self-government
The BCU took note of the public appeal from the HCJ
The Bar Council of Ukraine has determined that, given the current security situation, it is objectively impossible to hold, in accordance with the procedure established by the Law «On the advocacy and the practice of law», meetings of advocates, regional conferences of advocates and the Congress of Ukrainian Advocates, including for the purpose of electing two members of the High Council of Justice under the quota allocated to the Congress of Ukrainian Advocates.
War
The BCU has launched a digital project «Wall of Remembrance and Honor»
The Bar Council of Ukraine has adopted a resolution to launch the digital project «Wall of Remembrance and Honor». To this end, the UNBA is beginning to collect information on advocates and paralegals who lost their lives as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Interaction
Energy law: the UNBA and the ADMGE have agreed to cooperate
Advocates will deepen their professional expertise in the field of energy law, and participants in the distributed and flexible generation market will have greater opportunities to obtain professional legal assistance.
Educational events
How glasses help you switch off advocate mode – a lifehack
The constant need to be available to clients, thinking about cases outside of work hours, and internalizing others’ emotions blur the line between an advocate’s professional and personal life. That is why it is important to practice switching between contexts, use external «anchors» and separate one’s own responsibilities from those of the client.
Educational events
Where does an advocate's time go and what do they get in return
To assess balance in life, it’s worth identifying the areas where the most effort, time, and money are directed, and then determining what a person receives in return: income, respect, support, love, a sense of significance or the fulfillment of an important idea.
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