The Ombudsman is concerned about the state of the FLA system
The Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights is ready to join the development of proposals for amendments to the legal acts developed by the Ukrainian National Bar Association that will improve the functioning of the free legal aid system.
The UNBA was informed about this by the Ombudsman's Office after studying the Report on topical issues of the functioning of the legal aid system in Ukraine, which was presented last week.
The report demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationships that determine the existence of problems in the FLA system and effective ways to solve them, in particular in terms of monitoring the quality of FLA provision, distribution and execution of secondary assistance orders, payment for lawyers' services, appointment of defense counsel to participate in a separate procedural action, as well as in criminal proceedings in absentia, identification of a lawyer with a client, termination of legal aid in suspended criminal proceedings.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets expressed his gratitude for the position formed on the basis of the analysis. He is also concerned about the conclusions regarding violations of the rights of lawyers providing free legal aid, as well as the problems that arise during the functioning of the FLA system.
Lidiya Izovitova, the President of the UNBA,BCU has previously noted the need for legislative changes and the introduction of a different organizational model of the legal aid system.
As a reminder, a pilot project on providing professional legal aid to citizens has recently been launched in Zakarpattia, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne and Khmelnytskyi regions under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Ombudsman and the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
Popular news
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.
Rule of Law Roadmap
The UNBA is developing a model for reforming the legal profession
The reform of the advocacy profession is part of the negotiation process regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, and the Rule of Law Roadmap explicitly identifies the Ukrainian National Bar Association as one of the key stakeholders in the process.
Legal defence of military personnel
Missing in action: advocates explain the procedure to the families of servicemembers
As part of the «Advocate+» pilot project, advocates continue to work with military personnel in the brigades, helping to resolve practical legal issues — ranging from social benefits and payments to undergoing medical examinations and processing paperwork.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Police to investigate the NACP's attempts to reform advocacy
The Office of the Prosecutor General has opened a criminal investigation into alleged abuse of power by employees of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention.
Interaction
Advocates and patent attorneys combine their expertise in the field of intellectual property
Joint legislative proposals, expert opinions on regulatory changes and professional discussions on key issues in the field of intellectual property will form the basis of cooperation between the Ukrainian National Bar Association and the National Association of Patent Attorneys of Ukraine.
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
