Jeremy McBride, international consultant of the Council of Europe, barrister, and co-author of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, took part in a professional discussion on the topic “Protecting Lawyers from Identification with Their Clients: International Standards and Ukrainian Legislation”. The event was held in a hybrid format on 8 September 2025 and gathered lawyers, representatives of state authorities, international organisations, journalists, and experts to discuss the current challenges faced by the legal community, particularly in times of war. The discussion was organised by the EU-funded Project “Pravo-Justice”.
Participants were welcomed by representatives of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Justice, the National Bar Association of Ukraine, and international partners.
Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, also delivered welcoming remarks.
The discussion covered European standards, relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, and best practices from EU member States.
Separate sessions focused on the issue of identifying lawyers with their clients in the public sphere and the specific challenges this presents under martial law. Special attention was paid to the risks faced by lawyers defending cases of treason, war crimes, or members of illegal armed groups.
Background:
In March 2025, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer – an international legal instrument designed to ensure the safety and independence of lawyers in their professional activities. The Convention sets out obligations for States to guarantee the free and unhindered exercise of the legal profession, to protect lawyers from threats, harassment, or unlawful interference, and to establish conditions for the proper functioning of the legal profession as an institution ensuring access to justice.
The document also provides safeguards for lawyers’ rights to freedom of expression, confidentiality of communication with clients, fair disciplinary procedures, and protection against unfounded sanctions. The Convention aims to strengthen the rule of law and public trust in the justice system, while its implementation is considered an important step towards enhancing legal guarantees in Council of Europe member States.
