IBA Executive Director Mark Ellis met with the UNBA leadership
On February 27, 2023, at the invitation of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association, arrived in Kyiv as part of a working visit.
At the UNBA, he met with Ms. Lidia Izovitova (the UNBA President), Igor Kolesnikovthe (the UNBA Bar Council Secretary), the Head of the Highest Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar Serhii Vilkov, and the Head of the UNBA Secretariat Vadym Krasnyk. The meeting was also attended by Hanna Lazarchuk, a member of the Bar Council of Ukraine and Chairwoman of the UNBA Board of Trustees, and Oleg Klymiuk, Secretary of the UNBA International Relations Committee.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the activities of the Ukrainian Bar during the period of martial law, as well as problematic issues related to the development of the Bar.
The UNBA President thanked the IBA for assisting Ukrainian lawyers, including purchasing the necessary equipment for the arrangement of the Ukrainian Bar Support Centers.
Mark Ellis assured that the IBA would continue to support the Ukrainian Bar. This assistance is currently focused on purchasing 30 Starlink systems further to arrange the Advocates' Support Centers in the regions of Ukraine.
It is Mark Ellis' second working visit to Ukraine during martial law. The first one took place in August 2022.
Popular news
European integration
The UNBA presented the CCBE with an overview of legal reform and challenges
Reform of the legal profession, Ukraine’s European integration commitments, guarantees of the profession’s independence, and practices of bar self-governance in European countries — these issues were the subject of discussion at the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).
Discussion
New rules, old problems: the UNBA discussed the work of the ETAIDF and MMC
The reform of medical-social assessment and military medical commissions has changed procedures but has not resolved practical issues. People face situations where documents are not issued, decisions are based on technicalities, assessments are delayed, and they struggle to demonstrate their actual health status in specific life situations.
Discussion
Co-parenting shouldn't be reduced to a 50/50 formula, — roundtable discussion
Following a divorce, joint custody can serve as a mechanism for ensuring equal parental rights. However, this model requires clear criteria and cannot be applied automatically without taking into account the child’s age, the level of conflict between the parents, the risk of violence, and the feasibility of enforcing the future decision.
Legislation
Penalties for errors in military registration require clear rules, – UNBA
The liability of officials for violations of military registration rules must be legally defined, proportionate, and effectively enforceable. Otherwise, the new fines will not protect citizens from registration errors but will create additional risks.
European integration
Lidiya Izovitova: In the context of European integration reforms, advocacy is a partner of the state, not a target of reform
The war has significantly altered the working conditions for advocates, while European integration has presented the profession with new institutional challenges. The ongoing negotiation process covers issues such as the rule of law, judicial independence, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The Verkhovna Rada discussed the next steps for ratifying the Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on legal policy held a working meeting to prepare for the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. The meeting was attended by members of parliament, representatives of the Office of the President, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Valentin Gvozdiy: Ukraine’s ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer – is a matter…
Exactly one year ago, on May 13, 2025, in Luxembourg, during the 134th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer was opened for signature. Today, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on legal policy held a working meeting to prepare for its ratification. Between these two dates lies a year, during which (on March 9) Ukraine became the 28th signatory state. We spoke about this new phase with the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU Valentin Gvozdiy, who was personally involved in the preparation of this international instrument.
Support
Mental health, archives and cybersecurity: The UNBA and the IBA reviewed the progress of joint projects
The Ukrainian National Bar Association and the International Bar Association (IBA) reviewed the progress of joint projects that are of practical importance in the context of the war: supporting the mental health of advocates, digitizing archives, and strengthening the cybersecurity of the legal infrastructure.
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
