Щодо необхідності прийняття Стандарту підвищення кваліфікації українського адвоката

The relevance of the study lies in the need to transform the system of advanced training of lawyers from a formal to a competency-based approach. The implementation of long-term programs and a single Standard will ensure the systematic professional growth of lawyers, the improvement of their skills and values, which will contribute to improving the quality of legal aid and strengthening the legal profession as a whole. This article is aimed at revealing the need to implement comprehensive and systematic long-term advanced training programs, develop a Standard for Advanced Training of Lawyers and ensure the quality and accessibility of measures to improve their qualifications as the quintessence of the effectiveness of the mechanism for advanced training of lawyers in general. Attention is drawn to the fact that the Procedure for Advanced Training of Lawyers currently in force is largely focused on the formal fulfillment of requirements, rather than on the real improvement of their professional competencies. This state of affairs reduces the effectiveness of measures carried out primarily by the National Bar Association of Ukraine, taking into account, in particular, the lack of a single standard for the professional development of lawyers and comprehensive and long-term advanced training programs. All this unbalances the institution of advanced training of Ukrainian lawyers, while the introduction of the standard is able to provide a methodical and systematic approach to the organization of relevant measures. The position is argued according to which the existence of such a Standard for the Advanced Training of Lawyers will determine the methodology for the formation and implementation of measures to improve such qualifications, which will include determining the required amount of knowledge, approving the curriculum, a varied schedule, work programs of its relevant components, and developing appropriate educational material. The conclusion is made about the need to approve the Standard for the Advanced Training of Lawyers, a kind of plan for his professional development, and long-term (for example, for 5 years) programs for the advanced training of lawyers, which would take into account the multifaceted types of legal activity, the specifics of the legal status of a lawyer. The article analyzes the experience of foreign countries (England, Germany, New Zealand and other countries), where there are effective mechanisms for the advanced training of lawyers, the introduction of which would allow Ukraine to adapt to world standards more quickly.