The European Commission demands Bar reform, but there is no progress — presentation of the Bar Reform Roadmap
Over the past three years, the European Commission has repeatedly emphasised the need to reform the Ukrainian Bar. As of the beginning of this year, Ukraine had around 70,000 practising attorneys. In addition, the Bar has a significant influence on the establishment of the rule of law within the justice system, given attorneys’ exclusive role in court proceedings, their involvement in appointments to key judicial bodies, participation in selection competitions, and more. However, no positive changes have occurred.
The key problems and ways to address them were outlined by the DEJURE Foundation, the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, and the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform in the Bar Reform Roadmap. The Roadmap and the accompanying analytical brief were presented by experts on 17 December 2025 in Kyiv at the event “Reforming the Bar on the Path to the European Union.”
Bar reform is not merely a matter of desire—it is a necessity. The European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Report clearly sets as an objective ensuring transparent, reliable, and accountable formation of the governing bodies of the National Bar Association of Ukraine, as well as the sustainable improvement of qualification and access-to-the-profession procedures and other related processes. These are not just recommendations; they are road signs on Ukraine’s path to the European Union.
— Dmytro Leikin, Policy Section Representative, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
One of the key questions is whether the Bar itself is capable of carrying out the reform, or whether external assistance is required. If the legal community truly wanted to implement fundamental changes, it would have succeeded over nearly 35 years of independence. If that has not happened, then, as with the judiciary, external support is needed.
— Mykhailo Zhernakov, Executive Director of the DEJURE Foundation.
Since 2012, when the current Law on the Bar was adopted, the same individuals have remained in power: Lidiia Izovitova continues to head both the National Bar Association of Ukraine and the Bar Council of Ukraine, and the membership of these bodies has remained virtually unchanged. The fact that Bar reform has been mentioned in the last three European Commission reports indicates that the problem is so acute that it has reached the European level.
— Yaroslav Kuzyshyn, Advocacy Manager, DEJURE Foundation.
At present, the legal profession is the only one within the justice triangle for which no integrity requirements are imposed—either on members of the profession or on candidates seeking entry. This must change.
— Artem Donets, attorney.
