The UNBA is studying additional opportunities to support advocates
The full-scale invasion has seriously affected the mental health of all Ukrainians. There are certain vulnerable groups that have been most affected by the war in their personal and professional lives, including lawyers.
Representatives of the Ukrainian National Bar Association discussed possible formats of mental health support for Ukrainian lawyers with Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA). The latter has recently paid a working visit to Kyiv.
The prepared program includes three main groups:
1. Lawyers in the areas of active hostilities. Faced with the direct consequences of the war, trying to defend the rule of law, many of them are now balancing personal safety and fulfillment of professional duties.
2. Women lawyers. As many men stood up to defend the country and were mobilized, those women who practiced law in peacetime took on additional responsibilities for childcare, household management, and family support.
3. Young lawyers. These professionals, who are not sure of their future even under normal circumstances, do not know how to build a career today.
The formats being considered for their support include: mental health counseling (hotline for lawyers with professional psychological support); creation of mutual support groups that would include mentoring and emotional support; seminars and trainings on mental health management and resilience; introduction of a digital platform with relevant methodological materials; and emergency financial support for the most vulnerable lawyers.
The International Bar Association was invited to join this mental health initiative. This will help build a more resilient legal community that will continue to uphold the principles of the rule of law and justice in Ukraine in the face of war.
Popular news
Rule of Law Roadmap
Reform without data and advocacy: what the Ministry of Justice’s launch has revealed
The Ministry of Justice hosted the first meeting of the working group on bar reform. But instead of professional preparation of legislative changes, we saw exactly what Armada Network Director Dale Armstrong had spoken about the day before in Kyiv: not reform, but a struggle for control over the agenda through a narrow circle of “stakeholders” who create an echo chamber of influence for themselves.
Rule of Law Roadmap
Advocacy, European integration and the limits of intervention: an American report presented in Kyiv
Following its presentation in Brussels, the report «The Ukrainian advocacy in the context of the rule of law and European integration» made its way to Kyiv. It highlighted critical issues both in understanding the very nature of the self-governing profession and in the emergence of a «shadow market» surrounding the Ukrainian advocacy.
Discussion
ETAIDF and MMC: where the system fails
The new system for assessing a person’s daily functioning and the practice of undergoing medical-legal examinations have already raised numerous questions — ranging from unclear procedures to difficulties in appealing decisions. These issues were examined by advocates during the roundtable discussion «Problematic issues of the ETAIDF and MMC», organized by the UNBA Committee on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and the All-Ukrainian public organization «Human rights union of persons with disabilities».
Rule of Law Roadmap
Organization of advocacy: subgroup agrees on approaches to regulatory reform
On March 13, a meeting was held of the «Organization of the advocacy and self-government» subgroup of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap regarding bar reform. The event was conducted via videoconference.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Ukraine has signed the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer
Today, on 9 March, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Mykola Tochytskyi signed the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. This makes our country the 28th to sign this important international treaty.
Discussion
Detention as a rule: the UNBA discussed standards for proving risks
The state interferes most intensively with the human right to liberty when choosing a preventive measure. At this stage, the standard of proof of risk becomes the actual measure of the real meaning of the presumption of innocence.
European integration
«Freedom or security» — a false formula: speech by L. Izovitova at the conference of bar presidents
Is the state protecting society from crime today, or is it gradually destroying the rule of law under the guise of this fight? These alarming trends were outlined by the President of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova, during her speech at the 54th European Conference of bar presidents.
Discussion
AI in advocacy and justice: ethics, regulation, limits of application
The Ukrainian National Bar Association held a roundtable discussion entitled «Artificial Intelligence in the цork of advocates: ethics, responsibility, legal process engineering». Participants discussed how artificial intelligence systems are already being used in the professional activities of advocates and where the ethical boundaries of what is permissible lie.
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
