Our president I. Stephanie Boyce said:
“We condemn the actions of the Russian Federation, which are in contravention of international law. There is no doubt that these actions are a direct threat to the rule of law.”
Read our full statement and make sure you’re compliant with recent sanctions
Action from the legal profession
If you’re a lawyer looking to help advise Ukrainians pro bono, make sure that you have the requisite expertise in any areas you’re volunteering to advise in.
Ukraine Advice Project UK
Immigration lawyers have launched an advice service to provide free help and support to Ukrainians seeking refuge in the UK in the wake of the Russian invasion.
The project is being supported by DLA Piper.
Get in touch by emailing projectu@dlapiper.com if you’re:
- a qualified immigration lawyer looking to volunteer pro bono advice, or
- a Ukrainian national seeking immigration legal advice
Find out more about the Ukraine Advice Project UK
Ukraine Justice Alliance
Lawyers, law firms and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have formed a coalition offering legal expertise and support to Ukrainian people, Ukrainian NGOs, civil society organisations and the government of Ukraine.
The group plans to focus on activities such as:
- accountability and prosecutions
- evidence-gathering and information provision
- strategic refugee and asylum advice
The immediate focus is on practical assistance for Ukrainians on the ground and critical legal issues, such as immigration and preservation of evidence.
Find out more about Ukraine Justice Alliance
If you’re a lawyer with relevant expertise (such as international criminal law) looking to help, email contact@ukrainejusticealliance.com.
Please note that this is a rapidly evolving area, and the above pro bono initiatives are only the ones the Law Society is aware of at time of publishing. There may be others that will be added in the future. The Law Society cannot comment on the operations of the above pro bono initiatives.
England and Wales are open to Ukrainian lawyers
Ukrainian lawyers who relocate to England and Wales are entitled to practise under their home-country professional title.
They can provide legal services in Ukrainian law, international law and English law (including drafting contracts) with the only exception of a small number of activities.
They can work:
- in a UK law firm
- in a company as in-house lawyers
- as sole practitioners, or
- in partnership with, or be employed by, English and Welsh solicitors or other international lawyers
Find out more about practising in England and Wales
Requalifying in England and Wales
Ukrainian lawyers who wish to requalify in England and Wales can sit the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).
The SRA welcomes applications from lawyers from Ukraine and is happy to discuss individual circumstances. It will make decisions on a case-by-case basis, using the available evidence.
Where it is difficult to access to certain documents required for the exam, alternative documentation can be used to support an application.
Read the SRA’s guidance for qualified lawyers in jurisdictions where there is political unrest
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