UNBA reporting conference – results of work





On 17 December 2015 the UNBA reporting conference "New Ukrainian Bar - Moving Forward", devoted to the Day of the Bar of Ukraine, took place in Kyiv.
The conference commenced with the welcoming words and introductory speeches by Mrs Lydia Izovitova, UNBA/BCU President, Mrs Valentyna Simonenko, President of the Council of Judges of Ukraine, Mr Pavlo Lutskyuk, member of the Higher Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, Chairman of the Bar Council of Rivne Region, Mrs Olena Kafidova, Judge of the Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine, and Mr Vasyl Gumenyuk, Supreme Court judge.
The first session of the conference was devoted to the presentation of the UNBA results, during which Mr Valentyn Gvozdiy, UNBA/BCU Deputy President, presented a report on the UNBA activities. In particular, he informed the participants of the conference about the institutional achievements of the Ukrainian bar, communication, partnerships, maintenance of the URAU, legal cases which involved the UNBA, continuous legal training of advocates, work of the UNBA Secretariat and Charity Foundation for advocates. In turn, Mr Ivan Grechkivsky, Deputy Chair of the UNBA International Relations Committee, Chair of the Center for UNBA Initiatives "Bar of the Future", reported on the UNBA international activities and its prospects, international partnership development and implementation of the project of electronic library for advocates at the UNBA portal and a possibility of introducing distance-learning system of training for advocates. Mrs Oksana Kadenko, BCU member, presented the results of the BCU activities, outlined key decisions taken by the BCU and made good news that from now on, all BCU decisions are stored in the legal database electronic system “LeagueZakon”. Mr Oleksandr Drozdov, President of the Higher Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar, described the HQDCB activities. Mrs Inna Mokina, BCU member from the Kherson region, presented the report on the activities of the regional bar councils, and Mr Mykola Pavlov, member of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar of the Kyiv region, reported on the activities of the regional QDCBs.
The UNBA report on the results of 2015 (three quarters) can be found here.
The second session of the event was dedicated to the strengthening of the profession and to the prospects of development of the Bar. The particular issues were as follows: the exclusive right of advocates to represent clients in the courts, insurance of advocates’ professional liability and to the UNBA strategic planning. Leaders of the bar self-government bodies, advocates and international experts acted as speakers.
In the course of the discussion, all participants reaffirmed a unanimous opinion on the need to introduce an exclusive right of advocates to represent clients in the courts.
Summarizing the session, moderator Valentyn Gvozdiy noted: “The Ukrainian Bar has chosen the European vector of development and it is rapidly implementing quality standards for legal aid in our profession. Therefore, the introduction of the advocates’ exclusive right to represent clients in the courts will allow the Ukrainian legal profession to take its deserved place at the forefront of our European and international colleagues”.
The Ukrainian National Bar Association expresses its gratitude to the leaders of the bar self-government bodies, advocates, lawyers, international experts and other participants of the conference for the fruitful work to the benefit and strengthening of the Ukrainian legal profession.
Popular news

Advocacy
UNBA Committee for the protection of advocates' rights responds to accusations regarding the case of «hacker lawyers»
Dzerkalo Tyzhnia's publications about «hacker lawyers» contain false information, distortions and manipulations that undermine the authority of the Bar. They are a form of unlawful pressure on the UNBA and may be an element of a paid-for campaign.

Advocacy
Problems of implementation of the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer discussed in the Verkhovna Rada
On April 16, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy held a joint working meeting to discuss the feasibility of implementing the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer and introducing the necessary amendments to the current legislation.

Advocacy
The BCU creates a working group to monitor violations of the rights of lawyers and will consider appealing to the Verkhovna…
During an extraordinary meeting on April 16, 2025, the Bar Council of Ukraine decided to establish a working group to monitor and summarize the facts of violations of the rights of lawyers and guarantees of the practice of law over the past three years, including the situation with the detention of lawyer Olga Panchenko.

Advocacy
Temporary protection, work, study: what Ukrainians should know about France and UK
What is the procedure for obtaining temporary protection status in France and the UK? When can it be refused and is it possible to appeal such a decision? What are the options for legalization and change of status? What about employment, education and business opportunities?

Advocacy
«Military advocates» have nothing to do with advocacy – UNBA statement
The activities of the «military advocates» who forcefully «repel» mobilized persons liable for military service in the TCC have nothing to do with legal practice based on the principles of the rule of law and legality.

Advocacy
Commentary to the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of the profession of lawyer translated into Ukrainian
Along with the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe also approved an explanatory report to it. This document is a kind of official commentary to be used by countries in the application of the international treaty.

Advocacy
«The Convention will enhance the quality of human protection from criminal prosecution», - Valentyn Gvozdiy, the Vic…
Recently, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, an international treaty that guarantees the independence, security and self-governance of lawyers. The latter call it a key step towards strengthening the rule of law. But what does this mean in practice, why is the Convention of extraordinary value - these and other questions were answered by Valentyn Gvozdiy, the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU, to the host of Fakty ICTV.

Advocacy
Ratification of the Convention on the protection of the legal profession will strengthen the legal system – UNBA
The Ukrainian National Bar Association has called on MPs and relevant ministries to ensure the expedited signing and ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer by Ukraine.
Publications

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

Iryna Vasylyk Advocacy in the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine

Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…

Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences

Lydia Izovitova Interview with Lydia Izovitova on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of UNBA: We are the voice of t…