Status of a foreign lawyer in the Czech Republic: Prospects for obtaining it
For those Ukrainian lawyers who left for the EU because of the war and continue to practice, it is of particular importance to obtain the status of a foreign lawyer in the host country. At the very least, it is a matter of ensuring the preservation of the attorney-client privilege.
Olena Maksymenko, the UNBA representative in the Czech Republic, spoke about the prospects of obtaining the relevant status for Ukrainian lawyers in the Czech Republic during a meeting with the leadership of the Czech Bar Association (Česká advokátní komora, ČAK): President Robert Nemec and Vice Presidents Monika Novotna and Martin Meissner.
In particular, foreign colleagues were very interested in the possibility of Ukrainian lawyers to continue their work online from anywhere in the world.
Therefore, the UNBA representative spoke about the possibilities of signing and submitting electronic documents, showed the applications that have already become an integral part of the legal profession in Ukraine (Electronic Court, Diia), demonstrated the nuances of work on the examples of submitting a power of attorney for representation to the court, an agreement for the provision of legal services, and promised to prepare an article for Czech lawyers on Ukraine's experience in the digitalisation of legal proceedings, which will be published in the ČAK newsletter.
At the same time, representation of clients' interests is inextricably linked to compliance with the guarantees of activity, in particular, the preservation of attorney-client privilege. To do so, one must have the appropriate status in the host country.
To help Ukrainians in this matter, O. Maksymenko suggested developing a basic seminar for lawyers that would explain in detail the requirements for them as foreign lawyers, as well as the specifics of preparing for the qualification exam. The possibility of conducting such an exam in Ukrainian was also discussed. The ČAK emphasised that such a proposal could be implemented through the approval of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic.
It should be reminded that the Czech Bar provided the largest amount of assistance (€80 thousand) and was the first among all international donors and partners of the UNBA to do so.
For reference: useful information for persons in need of temporary protection in the Czech Republic is available on the website of the Czech Chamber of Advocates at the link.
Popular news
URAU
Access to advocate contacts in URAU has been restored
The Bar Council of Ukraine has opened up public access to data from the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine, which was closed at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The decision was made at a meeting on December 12–13.
Self-government
BCU has identified 12 areas for implementing the Roadmap for advocacy
During its meeting on December 12, the Bar Council of Ukraine considered the Roadmap on the Rule of Law, approved by Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 475-r dated May 14, 2025. The document provides for the development and adoption of a draft law on improving the legal regulation of advocacy by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The UNBA presented a report on violations of advocates' rights in the TCC
The Committee for the protection of advocate's rights and guarantees of legal practice of the UNBA has prepared a consolidated report on violations of advocate's professional rights and guarantees of legal practice by territorial recruitment and social support centers for the period from 2022 to the first half of 2025.
Self-government
Statement by the UNBA Committee regarding manipulative journalistic material
Statement by the UNBA Committee on information policy and interaction with the media regarding manipulative journalistic material aimed at discrediting the advocacy institution.
Greetings
Congratulations on the anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian National Bar Association
November 17 marks the thirteenth anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, a professional self-governing organization that has united advocates from all regions of the country into a single independent institution.
Guarantees of the practice of law
10 changes necessary for the implementation of the Convention on the protection of the profession of advocate
Most of the standards enshrined in the Convention on the protection of the profession of advocate have already been implemented in Ukrainian legislation. At the same time, in order to ensure a higher level of guarantees for the independence of advocacy, certain amendments should be made to the codes and the relevant law.
Guarantees of the practice of law
L. Izovitova: today advocacy maintains its independence and fights for guarantees for the profession
The Ukrainian advocacy remains an independent, constitutionally recognized institution of justice, which, in the conditions of war, has not only retained its subjectivity, but also consistently fights for guarantees to protect the profession.
Access to the profession
For candidates for the advocate: BCU has reminded them of the rules for crediting teaching experience
For the purposes of admission to the qualification exam, a candidate's work in scientific and teaching positions may be counted as experience in the field of law only if the position requires legal education.
Publications
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
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
