TRANSFORMATION OF BAR IN WARTIME IN UKRAINE: ON THE WAY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF JUSTICE (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE ODESA REGION)

Abstract

Russia's war against Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022, had determined new conditions for the existence of Ukrainian society, the state, and all fields of activity. The Bar was no exception. As an institution of civil society that protects human rights and interests, the Bar is an integral element of fair justice, the right which is inviolable even in wartime. However, the war made its corrections and created new rules, determining the specificity of the attorneys` activity, their behaviour, and the activity of the attorneys` self-governing bodies in wartime. The article presents the analysis of the peculiarities of functioning of the Bar of Ukraine in wartime on the example of the Odesa region. Its choice is due to the history and ancient traditions of Odesa Bar, whose representatives have already experienced periods of military aggression, and the available information about the results of its activity in wartime in the modern period. In wartime, it is impossible to obtain and systematize such data regarding the whole territory of Ukraine because part of the state is under occupation, and active hostilities are taking place on the other part. The author's analysis was based on the decisions of the Odesa Regional Bar Council, the results of the activity of the Odesa Regional Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of the Bar, the results of their interaction with the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Odesa City Council, volunteer formations, volunteer organizations and foreign colleagues. The authors used a chronological method, synthesis and a method of information analysis. Actual statistical and empirical data are used for proper argumentation of the conclusions. A conclusion was made about the internal consolidation, as well as the external ability of the Bar to act together with civil society institutions and public authorities in countering the armed aggression against Ukraine. This article was prepared as part of the scientific project ‘Justice in the Context of Sustainable Development’ Project No. 22BF042-01 (2022-2024).