Officially: there are more than 70 thousand advocates in Ukraine
Recently, the number of advocates in our country has exceeded 70 thousand. To be more precise, as of today, the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine contains information about 70152 attorneys.
The official statistics were provided by Valentyn Gvozdiy, the Vice President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association and the Bar Council of Ukraine, during a meeting of the Bar Council held today, December 13, in Lviv Oblast.
He said that this year alone, the defense bar has been joined by 2,280 new colleagues. However, there are 47.4 thousand active attorneys (those who practice and have not filed an application to suspend their practice), which is 67.6% of the total number. The URAU also registers 1026 trainees and 3.5 thousand paralegals. And the vast majority (94.7%) of active attorneys use the UNBA's electronic office, which provides access to UNBA services.
In addition, the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU, the UNBA said that in 2024 the level of payment of annual contributions to ensure the implementation of bar self-government increased. Financial discipline is observed by 82% of colleagues. «I believe that this is a very high percentage. And this is the best indicator for any previous years, for which we should thank, first of all, the heads of regional councils», - he explained.
He also said that the Council of Europe is preparing to vote on the draft Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession, which will be the first document in the world to establish international standards for the protection of lawyers and the independence of the institution. «This convention will be binding on the signatory countries. And Ukraine, which has become one of the authors, should be one of the first», - the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU is convinced.
It should be reminded that the Committee of Experts on the Protection of Lawyers (CJ-AV), whose vice president was V. Gvozdiy, was engaged in the development of the concept and drafting of the Convention. The CJ-AV operated under the Committee of Ministers and the European Committee on Legal Cooperation (CDCJ) of the Council of Europe.
Popular news
Practice of law
BCU strengthens its position on the right of advocate to prioritize cases
In legal practice, it is not uncommon for court hearings in different cases to be scheduled at the same time. This raises the question: which case should the advocate attend first, and can the court interfere with this decision?
Edition
Advocate or lobbyist? The UNBA has presented a guide to distinguishing between the professions
The Ukrainian National Bar Association has prepared a guide that helps distinguish between the legal status of an advocate and a lobbyist, explains the limits of permissible activities for each, and prevents possible violations of ethical and legal standards when participating in public policy-making.
Announcements
Essay contest on the synergy of human and artificial intelligence in diplomacy has begun
The Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv invites students from higher education institutions in Ukraine to participate in the Second All-Ukrainian essay competition on the topic «Modern Ukrainian diplomacy: synergy of human and artificial intelligence in defending national interests».
Abroad
Where is the line between respect for the court and the dignity of an advocate?
Ukrainian advocates sometimes complain about condescending attitudes or tactless remarks from judges. But such conflicts are not unique to Ukraine. In various countries, advocates raise issues of communication culture in court, mutual respect, and the inadmissibility of humiliating participants.
Discussion
Occupational safety during wartime: legal risks and employer liability
On October 21, the National Bar Association of Ukraine held a round table discussion on «Occupational safety in conditions of martial law». Participants discussed how the war has changed the requirements for safe working conditions, what guarantees remain for employees, and what responsibility employers bear for violations of legislation in this area.
Abroad
The Czech advocacy has spoken out in defense of the professional independence of its Ukrainian colleagues
The Czech Bar Association (Česká advokátní komora, ČAK) will appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian authorities to ensure the preservation of the independence of advocacy in Ukraine.
Legal defence of military personnel
When agreement is (im)possible: family disputes involving military personnel
The number of family cases involving military personnel is growing, with the most common issues being divorce, division of joint property, alimony, deprivation or contestation of parental rights, adoption, establishment of guardianship, and cases related to domestic violence.
Self-government
Marina Stavniychuk: The UNBA is a professional organization, not a monopoly
A unitary state requires uniform standards for access to the profession and disciplinary responsibility, which is why the Ukrainian National Bar Association acts as a professional organization. Accusations of monopoly are false, because public associations cannot replace professional self-government.
Publications
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
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
