The Council of Advocates and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) supports the institutional independence of the Ukrainian legal profession
November 01, 2022, UNBA Vice President Valentyn Gvozdiy held a working meeting with the President of the Council of Bar and Legal Societies of Europe (CCBE), James MacGill, and the head of the organization's secretariat Simone Cuomo during the annual conference of the International Bar Association (IBA) in Miami (USA)
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Law Enforcement, Ukrainian MP Sergii Ionushas, also took part in the meeting, emphasizing the exceptional importance of the work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the field of European integration.
As you know, with our country receiving the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union, the Ukrainian National Bar received the opportunity to raise its status in the CCBE from an observer member to associate member status. This opens up new possibilities and access to more information regarding regulating the legal profession.
Integrating such an important institution as the Institute of Advocacy into the European Legal Community is essential for Ukraine. Building a solid institution to protect Ukraine's human rights is a prerequisite for strengthening the rule of law. This is the condition the EU has set for Ukraine to grant membership.
The Ukrainian National Bar Association cooperates with European colleagues almost daily, informing them about the current state of the legal system in the country and the challenges facing the legal profession during the war.
It will be recalled that the CCBE provided significant charitable assistance to Ukrainian lawyers affected by the war and, having developed with UNBA, adopted the necessary recommendations to facilitate the access of Ukrainian advocates to the market of legal services in European countries.
Founded in 1960, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is an international non-profit association that, since its inception, has been at the forefront of promoting the views of European lawyers and protecting the legal principles on which democracy and the rule of law are based.
Popular news
Guarantees of the practice of law
Ombudsman calls for a firm response to violence against advocates
Every instance of obstruction of an advocate’s lawful activities, use of physical force, delaying an investigation, or concealment of evidence must be subject to a proper legal assessment. The state is obligated to ensure that the right to a defense is a genuine guarantee.
Greetings
The UNBA congratulates Denis Maslov on his appointment as Minister of Justice
Denis Maslov’s many years of experience as a advocate, his work as a judge and his tenure as chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’s Committee on legal policy have given him a deep understanding of how the legal system functions and the challenges it faces.
Legislation
The Verkhovna Rada explained why the section on advocacy should be removed from the anti-corruption strategy
The section on advocacy and legal aid in the draft anti-corruption strategy for 2026–2030 goes beyond the scope of anti-corruption policy and is inconsistent with the constitutional guarantees of the independence of the legal profession.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The NACP’s clarification regarding the declaration of membership in the UNBA should be clarified – BCU
An advocate’s membership in the UNBA is an element of professional status arising by virtue of law, rather than a voluntary private membership in an association. Therefore, failure to disclose it in a declaration should not automatically lead to the conclusion of unethical conduct or the concealment of a private interest.
Discussion
The history of Ukrainian constitutionalism was discussed during a lecture
To mark Ukraine’s Constitution Day, the Center for research on the legal profession and law of the UNBA in collaboration with the «Bykivnia Graves» National Historical and Memorial Reserve organized an online lecture on the history of the Ukrainian constitutional process.
Legislation
The UNBA is counting on the swift ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer
The ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer must be accompanied by targeted amendments to legislation to strengthen safeguards for advocates, but should not be used as a pretext for dismantling the self-governing model of advocacy.
Legal defence of military personnel
Advocates are expanding their legal support for the military and affected businesses
Legal assistance for military personnel should begin with simple and quick consultations, but it should not end there. Typical requests from brigades are compiled into summaries, digital services and proposals to government agencies.
Interaction
A manifesto on AI in law was presented in Europe. The UNBA has joined the initiative
On June 24, as part of European Legal Sovereignty Day, which took place in Brussels, the Manifesto for a Referential of Human Guarantee in the Legal Use of AI was presented.
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
