European integration and advocacy: development of the institution through constructive dialogue
Today, unfortunately, there are many pseudo-experts who are confidently undertaking to reform the institution of the bar. At the same time, they are unwilling to study the issue from the inside and deliberately ignore the disastrous consequences of their initiatives for the country.
This was emphasized by Lidiya Izovitova, the President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association and the Bar Council of Ukraine, during a regular meeting of the Bar Council, which is taking place today, December 13, in Lviv region.
We must remember that the Law on the Bar and Practice of Law, adopted in 2012, was one of the laws that allowed us to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union. Our current law embodies the European standards of legal profession and bar self-government. And with its adoption, Ukraine fulfilled its international obligations to the Council of Europe.
The President of the UNBA thanked her colleagues who publicly defend the independence of the Bar and ensure its evolutionary development.
L. Izovitova noted the speech of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Minister of Justice Olga Stefanishyna in the Verkhovna Rada, when she emphasized the need to establish cooperation between the Ministry and the legal community.
Another important message she delivered was that the rule of law roadmaps being prepared as part of Ukraine's EU accession negotiations should include the abandonment of competitions and the appointment of positions based on integrity assessments by international experts as a sign that Ukraine has built a stable, strong, democratic system of state institutions.
In this regard, it is important that on April 6, 2025, the Bar Council of Ukraine becomes a subject of the formation of a competition commission, which is formed to hold a competition for the position of a member of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and to form a list of candidates for the position of a member of the HQCJ. Today, taking into account the transitional provisions of the Law «On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges», this commission is formed and operates with the participation of international experts.
Popular news
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A report on Ukrainian advocacy was presented in the European Parliament
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Guarantees of the practice of law
Proceedings opened following attack on advocate in Dnipro
The Committee for the protection of advocates' rights and guarantees of legal practice of the UNBA appealed to law enforcement agencies in connection with an advocate's report of an attack while performing his professional duties. The information was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations and a pre-trial investigation was initiated.
Abroad
UNBA office opens in EU capital
To strengthen the institutional presence of the Ukrainian advocacy community at the European level, an office of the Ukrainian National Bar Association has been opened in Brussels (Belgium), which will serve as a permanent platform for dialogue with European partners.
Guarantees of the practice of law
The President was urged to sign the law on strengthening guarantees for advocacy activities
The professional community of advocates called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign Law No. 4547-IX, which strengthens guarantees for advocates' activities, in particular by introducing liability for identifying an advocate with a client.
Greetings
Lidiya Izovitova received an award from the Czech Bar Association
On January 23, during the gala evening of the Lawyer of the Year 2025 competition in Prague, Monika Novotná, President of the Czech Bar Association (ČAK), presented Lidiya Izovitova, President of the UNBA, BCU, with the Order of the Czech Bar, an award for distinguished representatives of foreign bar associations.
Appointment
Oleksiy Shevchuk appointed to the Competition Commission for the selection of SAPO management
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko issued order No. 405 of December 23, 2025, on the appointment of members of the Competition Commission, which will select candidates for vacant administrative positions in the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
Guarantees of the practice of law
Identifying an advocate with a client is a blow to justice, — V. Gvozdiy
By defending individuals in criminal proceedings, advocates are in fact fighting for every person's right to a fair trial. Therefore, any identification of an advocate with their client is a blow not only to the profession, but also to justice itself.
Guarantees of the practice of law
Impunity for public stigmatization of advocates violates the constitutional right to defense
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