HCJ engages Valentyn Gvozdiy to develop measures to ensure judicial independence
Valentyn Gvozdiy, Vice President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association and the Bar Council of Ukraine, was appointed to the working group on the development and implementation of measures to ensure the independence of judges and the authority of justice.
The relevant decision of the High Council of Justice dated 08/01/2024 No. 2362/0/15-24 was published on the website of the state body.
«The Constitution of Ukraine recognizes the special role of lawyers in ensuring the principles of justice, as they, along with judges, were united in a separate section of the Basic Law. At the same time, the bar is a non-governmental self-governing institution that has proved its independence from attempts to influence it, including from politicians and officials, - noted V. Gvozdiy. - Therefore, the knowledge and experience gained by the bar in law enforcement can be useful for assessing the effectiveness and relevance of the developed tools to ensure the independence of judges and the authority of justice».
According to part 4 of Article 73 of the Law «On the High Council of Justice», the HCJ cooperates with the Council of Judges of Ukraine, the Public Integrity Council, public associations, relevant bodies of other states, international organizations and their bodies to develop and implement measures to ensure the independence of judges and the authority of justice. It was with the aim of fulfilling this constitutional mandate that the working group was established in April 2023. The need to amend its composition is explained by personnel changes in the HCJ Secretariat.
Vice President of the UNBA, BCU V. Gvozdiy is an attorney, founder and managing partner of GOLAW. Valentyn is an honored lawyer of Ukraine (2017) and holds a PhD in Administrative Law and Procedure; Financial Law; Information Law (2020).
Popular news
Legal defence of military personnel
The model for legal assistance to veterans was discussed at the UNBA
A working meeting was held at the Ukrainian National Bar Association, during which representatives of the advocacy profession, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and a foreign expert discussed approaches to providing legal aid to veterans, the role of the advocacy profession in this system, and the experience of other countries.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The CJU has endorsed guarantees of the legal profession’s independence and has proposed a meeting with the BCU
The Council of Judges of Ukraine has responded to a letter from the Bar Council of Ukraine regarding the inadmissibility of the High Council of Justice granting immunity to a member of the High Council of Justice — a privilege not provided for by law — as well as regarding violations of constitutional guarantees of the independence of the legal profession and attorney-client privilege.
Interaction
The UNBA and the Ministry of Veterans are expanding their cooperation
War veterans, their family members, as well as the family members of fallen Defenders of Ukraine are to receive improved access to professional legal assistance and additional opportunities for independent legal protection.
Legislation
Advocates have warned that the draft Labor Code would curtail workers' protections
Certain provisions of the draft Labor Code of Ukraine regarding collective labor disputes undermine labor protections and do not comply with constitutional and international standards.
Legal defence of military personnel
Representatives from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the UNBA discussed veterans' access to justice
On April 3, a working meeting was held at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine with representatives of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, dedicated to improving the effectiveness of legal protection for war veterans and their families.
Educational events
The right of minors to marry: how judicial oversight works
The issue of granting minors the right to marry lies at the intersection of family law, child protection, and judicial discretion. The UNBA Committee on family law dedicated a webinar held on March 30 to this very topic.
Interaction
The UNBA and the Coordination headquarters have agreed to cooperate in assisting those released from captivity
Servicemen released from captivity, family members of prisoners of war, civilians deprived of their personal liberty as a result of armed aggression, as well as persons missing in connection with the war, will gain additional opportunities to access legal assistance and protect their rights.
Self-government
BCU: The HCJ’s decisions undermine the constitutional guarantees of the independence of the advocacy profession
The Bar Council of Ukraine has concluded that, in its recent decisions, the High Council of Justice has, without legal grounds, called into question the right of bar self-governing bodies to protect the guarantees of legal practice and has, in effect, attempted to grant one of its members — who retains the status of an advocate — special immunity from the Rules of professional conduct and disciplinary responsibility.
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