On December 6, the 9th Kyiv Criminal Law Forum served as a platform for discussing reforms in criminal justice, international legal aspects of criminal practice, successful defense cases involving corruption offenses, modern technologies and communications, as well as other pressing issues in criminal law—served as a platform for discussion.

The event was traditionally opened by Zoya Yarosh, President of the AAU, and representatives of the forum’s General Partners—Taras Poshyvanyuk, partner at EQUITY Law Firm, and Oleksiy Shevchuk, partner at Barristers LLC , a member of the AAU Board of Directors.

The first session was devoted to the major changes that have taken place in criminal law over the past year.

During the session, participants discussed amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the practice of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine, groundbreaking decisions by the Constitutional Court in criminal proceedings, criminal offenses, judicial practice, an assessment of trends in the Supreme Court’s legal positions, and the 20.20 client defense strategy. The speaker was Oleksandr Shadrin, a partner at Barristers Law Firm.

Panel Discussion 2A of the 9th Kyiv Criminal Law Forum, moderated by Oleksiy Shevchuk—a partner at Barristers Law Firm and a member of the UBA Board—was dedicated to modern technologies and communication in criminal justice.

The following issues were addressed:

• how best to protect information when using modern means of communication;
• electronic evidence: issues of proof, examination, and rebuttal;
• how attorneys should interact with the media and activists when handling high-profile cases;
• searching for relevant information in a lawyer’s daily practice;
• public oversight of law enforcement agencies and the role of lawyers in this process.

Numerous case studies of effective defense in criminal proceedings were examined during Session 2B of the 9th Kyiv Criminal Law Forum.

The session addressed current ECHR case law in criminal matters; Interpol: methods and techniques of cooperation; procedural safeguards for individuals whose rights and interests are restricted by pretrial investigations; international cooperation in NABU cases; violations of the inviolability of the home and its protection in criminal proceedings. Andriy Levkovets, a partner at Barristers Law Firm, served as a speaker and expert.

Session 3A was devoted to “Anti-Corruption Battles” and successful defense cases from the past year.
The topics for discussion were:

• “Disclosure of Pre-Trial Investigation Materials to the Other Party: What, How, When, and to Whom?”
• High-profile cases of the year and a lawyer’s ironic take on information from open sources, documenting the receipt of unlawful benefits, and sharing the latest trends in this area.
• The issue of the subject in cases involving official misconduct.
• "The attorney as the applicant’s representative in criminal proceedings"

Session 3B was devoted to current issues:

• Distinguishing between a bribe and its provocation.
• Criminal liability for corporate raiding in Ukraine.
• Issues related to the identification, tracing, and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes.
• The whistleblower as a new participant in criminal proceedings.
• Ethical and psychological aspects of a lawyer’s work with a client in criminal proceedings.
• Specifics of psychological preparation for interrogation based on personality traits.

General Partner of the event: “Barristers” Law Firm.

See you at the next AAU events!