Trust crisis and the need for reforms: lawyers discussed the transformation of the profession
On December 20, 2024, on the occasion of the Day of Advocacy, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted a thematic discussion “Transformation of the Bar in the Context of Ongoing War”. The event was held in the Chatham House format and brought together lawyers from different regions of Ukraine, including those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as representatives of civil society and human rights organisations working in the field of justice reform.
Photo: Artem HalkinAmong the speakers of the event: Nazar Kulchytskyy, Head of Nazar Kulchytskyy & Partners Law Firm; Daria Svyrydova, Partner of AZONES Law Firm; Yaroslav Kuzyshyn, Advocacy Manager of DEJURE Foundation; Roman Tytykalo, Lawyer and Partner of Moris Law Firm.
The discussion was moderated by Alona Horova, Head of the board of the Institute for Peace and Common Ground.
During the discussion, the participants discussed whether the reform of the Bar and changes to the legislation on the practice of law are timely in the context of the ongoing war. They raised the issue of systemic problems in the bar that cause a crisis of trust in the bar self-government bodies, as well as the transformations that are of paramount importance in the context of the war and the European integration process. The opportunities and influence of civil society on the bar reform were also discussed.
“The Ukrainian Bar is an integral part of justice and plays an important role in ensuring access to justice for victims of the war. However, today the Ukrainian bar faces systematic challenges, including a crisis of trust in bar self-government bodies, a lack of open platforms for discussing problems and finding solutions, and insufficient attention to the rights and safety of lawyers working in the occupied or frontline territories“, said panellist Daria Svyrydova.
Daria Svyrydova (photo)According to the Head of Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Tetiana Pechonchyk, the recommendations of the shadow report to the European Commission’s report on Ukraine for 2023 also indicate the need for changes in the bar.
“Since the beginning of the war in 2014, the leadership of the bar self-government bodies has been virtually ignoring the protection of the rights of some lawyers and the assessment of the dishonest activities of others under occupation, failing to ensure the restoration of certain bar self-government bodies from the territories occupied by the RF, etc. All this has a negative impact on the protection of human rights“, she added.
Tetiana Pechonchyk (photo)The discussion was an important step towards finding ways to transform the bar and strengthen its role in the process of justice reform and European integration.
The event was organised by JustGroup, DEJURE Foundation and the Human Rights Centre ZMINA. The event was held with the financial support of the European Union.
