The “Barristers” Law Firm, as a team of qualified attorneys, was invited to oversee the searches at the District Administrative Court of the capital. Today, August 13, 2020, Oleksiy Shevchuk, a partner and attorney at the “Barristers” Law Firm, received a summons to participate in investigative and procedural actions, including questioning as a WITNESS, the service of procedural documents, etc., as part of the pretrial investigation in criminal proceeding No. 22020120000000019 dated July 17, 2020.

Mr. Oleksiy Shevchuk and the team at Barristers Law Firm view this as pressure on the defense and the attorneys, as well as an attempt to gain access to attorney-client privilege, which is an unacceptable violation of current legislation and an interference with the practice of law.

In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Article 65 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

The following may not be questioned as witnesses:

1) defense attorneys in criminal proceedings—regarding circumstances that became known to them in connection with the performance of their duties as representatives or defense attorneys;

2) attorneys—regarding information that constitutes attorney-client privilege.

Pursuant to paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Bar and the Practice of Law,” it is prohibited to require an attorney to disclose information that constitutes attorney-client privilege.

Pursuant to Article 397 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, it is prohibited to obstruct, in any form, the lawful activities of a defense counsel or a person’s representative in providing legal assistance, or to violate the guarantees established by law regarding their activities and professional secrecy.