To become a lawyer, a serviceman can overcome incompatibility after the war

If, during the war, the regional bar council has decided to issue a certificate of the right to practice law to a person performing military or alternative service, the latter must eliminate the circumstances of incompatibility within six months after the lifting of martial law.
The relevant amendment was made to the Regulation on the Organisation and Procedure for the Internship for Obtaining a Certificate of the Right to Practice Law (Decision of the BCU No. 89 dated 11-12 August 2023).
It is worth reminding that according to part 1 of Article 7 of the Law «On the Bar and Practice of Law», the following activities are incompatible with the practice of law:
1) work in the positions of persons referred to in clause 1, part 1, Article 3 of the Law «On Prevention of Corruption» (public service);
2) military or alternative (non-military) service;
3) notary activity;
4) forensic expert activity.
And according to the general rule of clause 11.13 of the said Regulation, if, based on the results of the internship assessment, the regional bar council decides to issue a certificate of the right to practice law to a person in respect of whom there are circumstances of incompatibility, this person must eliminate them within 30 days from the date of the relevant decision of the Bar Council and before taking the oath of the Ukrainian advocate. If the candidate fails to do so, he or she cannot be sworn in, and the regional bar council must cancel its decision to issue a certificate of the right to practice law. After that, the person may repeat the internship, but if, at the time of the repeated referral to the internship, the certificate of passing the qualification exam is valid.
Thus, the Bar Council of Ukraine has actually protected the interests of those candidates for the bar who have passed all the necessary qualification procedures for obtaining a certificate but were called up for military service. In order to prevent the defenders of Ukraine from losing their opportunity to become advocates, the deadline for them to eliminate the incompatibility circumstances was extended.
Popular news

Advocacy
Temporary protection, work, study: what Ukrainians should know about France and UK
What is the procedure for obtaining temporary protection status in France and the UK? When can it be refused and is it possible to appeal such a decision? What are the options for legalization and change of status? What about employment, education and business opportunities?

Advocacy
«Military advocates» have nothing to do with advocacy – UNBA statement
The activities of the «military advocates» who forcefully «repel» mobilized persons liable for military service in the TCC have nothing to do with legal practice based on the principles of the rule of law and legality.

Advocacy
Commentary to the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of the profession of lawyer translated into Ukrainian
Along with the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe also approved an explanatory report to it. This document is a kind of official commentary to be used by countries in the application of the international treaty.

Advocacy
«The Convention will enhance the quality of human protection from criminal prosecution», - Valentyn Gvozdiy, the Vic…
Recently, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, an international treaty that guarantees the independence, security and self-governance of lawyers. The latter call it a key step towards strengthening the rule of law. But what does this mean in practice, why is the Convention of extraordinary value - these and other questions were answered by Valentyn Gvozdiy, the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU, to the host of Fakty ICTV.

Advocacy
Ratification of the Convention on the protection of the legal profession will strengthen the legal system – UNBA
The Ukrainian National Bar Association has called on MPs and relevant ministries to ensure the expedited signing and ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer by Ukraine.

Advocacy
The BCU declared inadmissible the reorganization of the Odesa Law Academy
The Bar Council of Ukraine considers it appropriate to support the preservation of the National University Odesa Law Academy as an independent university, whose decades-long traditions and high standards of education and academic independence determine its distinctive uniqueness.

Advocacy
Ukraine should be one of the first to ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer - V. Gvozdiy
Ukraine definitely needs to be among the countries that will be the first to ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, adopted by the Council of Europe on March 12, in order to confirm its status as a legal and democratic state.

Advocacy
Convention on the protection of the profession of advocate adopted by the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe at its 1522nd meeting, held on March 11 and 12, 2025, adopted the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.
Publications

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

Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…

Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences

Lydia Izovitova Interview with Lydia Izovitova on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of UNBA: We are the voice of t…