UNBA published the third Report on international charity assistance to lawyers during martial law
During the nine months of unjustified armed aggression, Ukrainian advocates felt the powerful all-around support of the international legal community: moral, financial, and organizational. This support crossed the borders of the states and strengthened faith in the bar's mission as a defender of human rights, the rule of law, and a defender of every lawyer who finds himself in trouble.
We are grateful to our foreign colleagues from all over the world who donate funds to help the injured Ukrainian lawyers and their families, host our colleagues who were forced to leave their homes due to hostilities, help them settle in new conditions, find work and start life anew.
To provide targeted assistance to war-affected lawyers and their families inside the country, in March 2022, the Trustee Council was established to distribute aid received by UNBA from international organizations.
Funds are distributed as quickly as possible and within transparent procedures. The Board of Trustees treats each application for assistance with special responsibility and understanding because behind each application lies the fate of colleagues. More than 400 Ukrainian lawyers have received aid since the beginning of the activities of the Board of Trustees.
Reports on the costs of international aid must be provided to our donors. The documents are published on the official website of the UNBA in Ukrainian and English and are addressed to international donors. The first Report was published in May 2022, and the second summarizes the fundraising work of charitable funds transferred to UNBA from February to June 2022.
The third Report on international aid contains detailed infographics on receipts, distribution of charitable funds, and analysis of decisions of the Board of Trustees of the UNBA for nine months of martial law in Ukraine.
Unfortunately, Russia's military aggression against Ukraine continues. Many Ukrainian lawyers continue to defend our land heroically. Still, many of our colleagues lose relatives and loved ones under enemy fire, are injured, need constant treatment and expensive medicines, and remain homeless. That is why we continue to appeal to lawyers in European countries and the whole world with a request to provide financial assistance for our lawyers.
Popular news
Guarantees of the practice of law
Independent oversight is necessary before using CISA materials against an advocate – Lidiya Izovitova
Before the prosecution uses information obtained during covert investigative actions and related to an advocate’s activities, independent procedural oversight must be conducted. It is necessary to determine whether such information is covered by attorney-client privilege and whether it may be disclosed.
Self-government
Efforts to develop advocacy must be brought to fruition — A. Misyats
The Ukrainian advocacy profession is currently going through a critical phase. Amid the war, it must ensure the continuity of legal aid, defend the independence of the profession, and improve qualification and disciplinary procedures in accordance with European standards. The work that has been started must be brought to a practical conclusion.
Support
Protecting the legal profession, cybersecurity and support for advocates: common themes for the IBA and the UNBA
On September 18, a working meeting was held at the office of the Ukrainian National Bar Association with Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA) Mark Ellis. The parties discussed the Ukrainian advocacy profession’s participation in European legal processes, the protection of the UNBA’s digital infrastructure, psychological support for advocates and future areas of cooperation.
Educational events
Tax residency of Ukrainians abroad: what matters
The determination of tax residency for Ukrainians who have been living abroad for an extended period depends on the combination of their personal and economic ties to each country. The established status determines the procedure for reporting income, paying taxes and fulfilling CFC reporting obligations.
War
Are Europe's advocacy associations prepared for a potential war? V. Gvozdiy shared lessons from the Ukrainian experience
The continuity of the bar’s self-governance, the protection of professional registries and archives, as well as equal guarantees of employment for advocates, judges, and prosecutors must be enshrined in advance in legislation in the event of war or another emergency.
Legal defence of military personnel
Payments to military personnel require clear and uniform criteria — UNBA Committee
The vagueness of terms in subordinate regulatory acts leads to differing interpretations of the grounds for paying additional compensation to military personnel. The UNBA has proposed harmonizing these acts and establishing transparent criteria for the allocation of funds.
Legislation
The UNBA will prepare guidelines on lawyers' requests
By the end of 2026, the UNBA Committee on the prevention of administrative offenses committed against advocates will develop guidelines on drafting advocate inquiries and responding to refusals to provide information. There are also plans to standardize the practice of applying Article 212-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Other
The CEC has recognized Andriy Misyats as an elected member of the Ukrainian parliament
The Central Election Commission has adopted a decision recognizing Andriy Misyats as an elected People’s Deputy of Ukraine. He is currently serving as acting chairman of the High Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar.
Publications
Vasyl Kolishnyi, «Law and Business» Supporting mental health should become part of the professional culture of the Bar, - H. Udovenko
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
