The business ombudsman was presented with a book about his grandfather, an advocate
The life story of Ukrainian advocate Kornel Vashchuk, who combined military experience and legal integrity, was included in the scientific and documentary publication «100 years of the Union of Ukrainian Advocates: articles, materials, documents».
A copy of this book was presented on October 14 to the grandson of the prominent advocate Roman Vashchuk, who served as Canada's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine from 2014 to 2019 and is currently the Business Ombudsman.
«For us, this is not just the story of one family, but an example of the continuity of Ukrainian advocacy, which even in the most difficult times remained the bearer of legal culture and civic dignity, - said the editor of the publication, head of the Center for advocacy and law research of the UNBA Iryna Vasylyk. - The story of Kornel Vashchuk reminds us that advocacy is a service to society, regardless of borders and political circumstances. We strive to preserve the memory of such figures so that the current generation of advocates can see their professional roots in them».
In 1914, after studying in Lviv, Kornel Vashchuk volunteered for the Legion of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen, participated in the battles for independence as part of the Ukrainian Galician Army, and commanded a hundred soldiers. After the defeat of the Ukrainian liberation forces, he emigrated to Czechoslovakia, where he graduated from the Faculty of Law at Charles University in Prague and obtained a doctorate in law (1924).
Returning to Galicia, he confirmed his diploma at Jagiellonian University and in March 1933 was admitted as an advocate of the Lviv Bar Association and worked in the city of Deliatyn.
Vashchuk specialized in defending peasants in court. He was known as a fair and accessible advocate who did not shy away from difficult cases and remained close to the community. He also headed the local sports club «Prut» and supported Ukrainian cultural initiatives.
Due to his social activism, he was under surveillance by the Polish police, was arrested in 1939, and imprisoned by the Gestapo during the German occupation. After the war, in West Germany, he obtained compensation by proving that he had been persecuted on the basis of his nationality, which is an example of his perseverance.
After emigrating to Canada, he continued his activities in veterans' and Ukrainian community organizations, maintaining his authority as a person for whom the law remained a form of service — both to his profession and to the people.
It should be noted that the publication, prepared by the National Bar Association of Ukraine in conjunction with the Bar Council of Lviv Region, was dedicated to the centenary of the Union of Ukrainian Advocates, the largest Ukrainian professional bar association in the interwar period of the last century. Its activities took place in the difficult socio-political circumstances of its own statelessness and the need to incorporate into the legal field of the Polish state. However, the Ukrainian advocacy of Galicia managed to unite and for 16 years lead an organized professional life, subordinated to the principles of law and morality, patriotism, and justice.
The book contains reports from participants in the round table discussion «The Union of Ukrainian Advocates in the service of justice and Ukraine», as well as materials from open lectures at the Solemn Academy dedicated to the anniversary. Selected articles from the UUA magazine «Life and Law» and photographs are also published.
«Such publications are unique, so we do not sell them, - said the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU Valentin Gvozdiy. - We publish them and distribute them among young advocates so that they can study the history of the country and learn about the origins of our profession. This is extremely important. We are for the continuity of generations, for history, for the memory of all the challenges that life brings».
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