European standards of professional ethics for lawyers and their implementation in Ukraine

Abstract

The article provides a detailed analysis of European standards of professional ethics for lawyers and the processes of their further implementation in Ukraine. Professional ethics for lawyers is traditionally considered one of the key factors in the implementation of legal activities, which directly affects the provision of a number of principles of law. The paper outlines the role of ethical considerations in the professional activities of lawyers, their importance for the formation of standards of proper conduct and maintaining a balance between professional independence and responsibility. The essence, basic principles and key provisions of European standards of professional ethics for lawyers are studied. The article analyzes the main international and European documents that define the ethical principles of lawyers’ activities, in particular the acts of the Council of Europe and the European Union. In addition, the current state of regulatory and legal support for professional ethics in Ukraine is also highlighted, special legislation is analyzed and the main gaps and conflicts between European standards and national practice of implementing ethical norms are identified. Based on a comparative analysis, agreed directions for improving national legislation for the full implementation of European ethical standards in the professional activities of lawyers in Ukraine are proposed.
Thus, the article comprehensively examines the key points of European standards of professional ethics of lawyers and emphasizes that the implementation of these norms into national legislation is an important condition for the formation of a proper ethical course of professional legal relations in the field of legal activity in Ukraine.