“In Ukraine, there is a discussion around the law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on a ban on identifying a lawyer with his client. The journalist Sergey Lyamets in the author’s column on Censor.net explained why the document is needed and what myths are criticized. According to Lyatots, identifying a lawyer with a client leads to dangerous consequences: “A lawyer begins to perceive the accomplice of a crime only because he is”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
In Ukraine, there is a discussion around the law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on a ban on identifying a lawyer with his client. The journalist Sergey Lyamets in the author’s column on Censor.net explained why the document is needed and what myths are criticized.
According to Lama, identifying a lawyer with the client leads to dangerous consequences:
“The lawyer begins to perceive the accomplice of the crime only because he performs his duty. The consequences – from moving on social networks to attacks, beating and even murder. “
He emphasizes that the problem has already become systemic: in the first half of 2025 only 32 cases of identification of lawyers with clients were recorded.
“If a lawyer is afraid of life or reputation, he will give up resonant cases. Not only the client but the society as a whole will suffer, because the foundation of the rule of law is destroyed, ”the journalist emphasizes.
The most common argument of critics is as if a blow to freedom of speech. But, according to Lyatots, the law does not contain any prohibitions for journalists or activists:
“There is no ban on whom the lawyer is protected. Only a conscious identification such as the “trait” or “killer lawyer”, if it has led to real threats or harm, is subject to responsibility.
He points out that the procedure for imposing a fine (UAH 3400-5100) provides several levels of inspection-from the qualification and disciplinary commission of the Bar to court.
“The law is written in such a way as to hold only obvious violators. Nothing changes for virtuous journalists and bloggers. ”
Liamets also emphasizes that the Ukrainian norm meets international standards:
“The European Convention for the Protection of Lawyers directly provides:” Lawyers should not be sanctioned or worse due to identifying them with clients. ” 18 countries have already signed the document. Ukraine has to do the same. ”
In his opinion, the law passed by Parliament is an important step towards increasing justice and democracy:
“A lawyer killed or beaten is not a problem of a group of lawyers, it is a blow to the country’s reputation. A protected lawyer means protected rights of every citizen. ”
Recall the identification of the lawyer with the client is unacceptable and legally forbidden. Yuri Radziyevsky’s partner of the Barristers Association puts this emphasis.
Lawyer Alexei Shevchuk, partner and spokesman of the Barristers Advocacy Association and Candidate for the competition commission for selectionHe outlined his own vision criteria which should be formed by the future judicial corps.
Earlier, Alexei Shevchuk He noticed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only enforces the decisions made by the National Security and Defense (NSDC). Therefore, in his opinion, it is incorrect to speak about the direct actions of the President.
