We know the value of our self-government: L. Izovitova congratulated on the 12th anniversary of UNBA

On November 17, 2024, the Ukrainian National Bar Association, a professional organization that unites all Ukrainian lawyers, will celebrate its 12th anniversary.

Lidiya Izovitova, the President of the UNBA, BCU, expressed her gratitude to the lawyers who supported their colleagues in difficult times in recent years during a regular meeting of the Bar Council of Ukraine, which is taking place in Kyiv today, November 15.

«I would like to congratulate all of you and every lawyer on the 12th anniversary of our independent professional organization. After all, we have traveled this difficult path together. The last four years have been particularly difficult: two years of the pandemic and two and a half years of war, - she noted. - And we know the value of our self-governance thanks to the level of support shown by the lawyers».

She recalled the challenges that the bar had to overcome and expressed her gratitude to all her colleagues who showed their best qualities and aspirations:

• members of the bar self-government bodies together with the heads of the Bar Councils of the regions organized a chain of assistance in the western region for lawyers and their families who suffered the misfortunes of war and were looking for a new home. They were assisted with accommodation, food and all the necessary materials and supplies;
• bar councils organized free legal advice to displaced persons, military personnel and volunteers, working pro bono on a round-the-clock basis;
• regional bar self-government bodies equipped their mobilized advocates and assisted them in the future;
• the members of the QDCB and the H QDCB did not stop access to the profession and disciplinary procedures during the war;
• the Board of Trustees made transparent decisions on the provision of charitable assistance and each decision was experienced as a human fate;
• the UNBA Secretariat ensured the full-fledged activity of the UNBA's bodies and the smooth functioning of the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine.
• The advocates selflessly worked and work in the UNBA committees;
• UNBA representatives abroad constantly communicate with the embassies and consulates of Ukraine, with the bar associations of the host countries and help our refugees in every possible way.

«Under the conditions of martial law, all together, our large professional community of Ukrainian lawyers continues to defend the independence of the institution, protect each lawyer, and create the most favorable conditions for the best standards of professional protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens», - summarized L. Izovitova.