The Council of Europe supports the development of UNBA
The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine will provide all possible support for the development of the Ukrainian National Bar Association and its initiatives for the benefit of Ukrainian society.
This was stated by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine Maciej Janczak during a working meeting with the leadership of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, held in Kyiv on July 16.
The Ukrainian side was represented by Lidiya Izovitova, the President of the UNBA, BCU, her Deputy Valentyn Gvozdiy, and Vadym Krasnyk, Head of the UNBA Secretariat.
The topic of discussion was the challenges of war in the context of UNBA 's activities and possible ways of cooperation to strengthen the implementation of Council of Europe standards. As a reminder, on December 14, 2022, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine «Resilience, Recovery and Rebuilding» 2023-2026.
Among the measures aimed at ensuring the support of the justice system in accordance with European human rights standards, paragraph 2.1 of the Plan provides for the provision of strategic and legal advice to public authorities, as well as to the bar and the system of free legal aid. In addition, it is planned to strengthen the professional capacity of lawyers, improve the quality of legal education and support the development of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, other legal associations and FLAs, as well as the free legal aid system.
As a result of the meeting, it was agreed to hold an operational meeting with the Council of Europe project managers to identify further concrete actions to support the UNBA.
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
