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
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).
Rule of Law Roadmap
The UNBA is compiling the findings of the subgroups regarding the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap
Today, May 28, the Ukrainian National Bar Association hosted a meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap regarding the reform of the advocacy profession. Following a series of meetings by thematic subgroups, the work is now moving to the stage of consolidating proposals and preparing a coordinated package of recommendations.
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.
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
