Violation of media guarantees of advocacy is being studied by the UNBA
An open appeal of the Ukrainian National Bar Association's Committee on Information Policy and Interaction with the Mass Media to the advocates.
By defending or representing clients in high-profile cases, Ukrainian attorneys-at-law attract additional media attention to their personalities.
At the same time, journalists, when covering the circumstances of such cases and the work of the attorney, unfortunately, do not always adhere to professional standards: balance of opinions, reliability, separation of facts from comments, accuracy and completeness.
There are quite common cases when information about the activities of a defense counsel is presented in a biased manner, using false, unverified or inaccurate data, without clarifying the point of view of the lawyer mentioned in the material. Emotional coloring and distortion of the work of providing legal aid, which is provided for by the Constitution of Ukraine and the procedural codes, has become almost the norm today.
At the same time, the guarantees of the practice of law are directly violated. Due to the disregard for the presumption of innocence, when defendants are called criminals before the verdict and lawyers are called defenders of criminals, lawyers are actually identified with clients, which is expressly prohibited by the Law «On the Bar and Practice of Law».
As a result, the public has a negative attitude towards both a particular defense lawyer (which affects the person's business reputation) and the institution of the Bar as a whole.
The protection of advocates from external information influence is one of the tasks of the UNBA Committee on Information Policy and Media Relations.
Therefore, the Committee asks lawyers who have faced violations of guarantees of their activities by the media and individual journalists to provide information about such facts to o.shevchuk@mail.unba.org.ua or fill out the appropriate Google form.
Since it is also a matter of disregard for journalistic standards and the provisions of the Law of Ukraine «On Media», the collected information on specific facts will be sent to the state media regulator to find ways to resolve this problematic issue.
Chairman of the UNBA Committee
on Information Policy
and Media Relations O. Shevchuk
04.03.2024
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
UNBA discussed removing barriers at border crossings for families with children with disabilities
Families of children with disabilities face additional requirements when traveling abroad, particularly regarding consular registration. What is happening and what changes are needed to remove these obstacles were discussed during the roundtable «Borders without barriers for families of children with disabilities».
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.
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
