What data is sufficient to identify the client in the warrant was investigated by the BCU
When filling out an order for legal aid, a lawyer, if he or she deems it necessary, may additionally indicate the client's RNOKPP or EDRPOU code as an identifying feature. At the same time, it would be excessive formalism to require this as a mandatory requisite of the order form.
The Bar Council of Ukraine provided such a response to a citizen's proposal to clarify the form of the order for legal aid in terms of the characteristics of the client of legal services.
As a reminder, in accordance with the Regulation on the order for the provision of legal aid, this document of the established form is a proper and sufficient confirmation of the lawyer's authority to act in the interests of the client. One of its requisites is the surname, name, patronymic or name of the person to whom legal aid is provided.
According to the applicant, the disadvantage of this requisite is that the full name or surname does not allow to establish the reliability of information about the customer of the service. Accordingly, doubts arise as to the reliability and legitimacy of the grounds for drawing up and issuing the warrant in general. Therefore, the identifying feature should be the RNOKPP or the EDRPOU code, which would distinguish legal entities with the same name (title).
The citizen considers the reference in the warrant to the details of the legal aid agreement insufficient. After all, the agreement itself, which is the basis for the warrant, is not available for public inspection and depends solely on the lawyer's good faith and is not an absolute guarantee of authenticity, validity and legality.
After analyzing the arguments set forth in the application, as well as the provisions of the Regulation on the Order for Legal Aid, the members of the Bar Council of Ukraine concluded that such formalization was inappropriate, noting that the RNOKPP or the EDRPOU code, if necessary, can be indicated in the order by the advocate independently, if he or she sees the need to clarify the client's identity.
Popular news
Legislation
The path to ratification of the Convention must not end in yet another delay — L. Izovitova
Ukraine’s preparations for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer have already passed key stages. Now, government institutions must submit the matter to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration. In doing so, Ukraine may complete the ratification process faster than EU member states.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Ukraine could be the first to implement a European mechanism for the protection of advocates. What’s holding it back?
Ukraine has a chance to be the first country to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Professions of Lawyer. Political support for this exists, but the government’s legislative package has not yet been submitted to parliament. Meanwhile, the number of violations of advocates’ rights is on the rise.
Educational events
How can an advocate verify that work has been completed if the client refuses to sign the report?
When billing by the hour, the primary document for determining the fee may be a detailed report on the time spent by the advocate and the work performed. To prevent the client from withholding payment, the contract should specify in advance the procedure for submitting and approving such a report.
Self-government
The BCU took note of the public appeal from the HCJ
The Bar Council of Ukraine has determined that, given the current security situation, it is objectively impossible to hold, in accordance with the procedure established by the Law «On the advocacy and the practice of law», meetings of advocates, regional conferences of advocates and the Congress of Ukrainian Advocates, including for the purpose of electing two members of the High Council of Justice under the quota allocated to the Congress of Ukrainian Advocates.
War
The BCU has launched a digital project «Wall of Remembrance and Honor»
The Bar Council of Ukraine has adopted a resolution to launch the digital project «Wall of Remembrance and Honor». To this end, the UNBA is beginning to collect information on advocates and paralegals who lost their lives as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Interaction
Energy law: the UNBA and the ADMGE have agreed to cooperate
Advocates will deepen their professional expertise in the field of energy law, and participants in the distributed and flexible generation market will have greater opportunities to obtain professional legal assistance.
Educational events
Where does an advocate's time go and what do they get in return
To assess balance in life, it’s worth identifying the areas where the most effort, time, and money are directed, and then determining what a person receives in return: income, respect, support, love, a sense of significance or the fulfillment of an important idea.
Court practice
The SC has clarified the different ways to respond to a lawyer's request that is ignored
If there is no response to an advocate’s request, the advocate has the right to file a petition with the Bar Association to hold the person administratively liable. An advocate may challenge the failure to provide information necessary for the provision of legal assistance on behalf of the client, rather than in their own name.
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