American analysts in Brussels reject unfounded criticism of Ukraine's legal profession
Photo: US analysts in Brussels speak out against unfounded criticism of Ukraine’s legal profession (press service)
US analysts in Brussels presented a report defending Ukraine's legal profession against what they described as unfounded criticism. Experts urged policymakers to rely on real data rather than rumors being used to manipulate opinion in Europe, according to the RBC-Ukraine correspondent.
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Dale Armstrong, director of the Armada Network, stressed that the study is based on actual surveys of more than 1,000 Ukrainian legal professionals rather than subjective opinions.
"Empirical data is what matters most. We wanted to present something more than just someone's opinion or an echo chamber," Armstrong said.
He added that he was surprised to see criticism directed at institutions trying to survive during wartime. The Ukrainian National Bar Association is seen as an effective organization that has defended the independence of the profession throughout 11 years of war, and this deserves respect rather than attempts to dismantle it.
Government and public affairs specialist Chris Holzen, who has worked in Ukraine for more than 20 years, warned against placing excessive trust in so-called "shadow reports" prepared without the participation of the legal community itself.
Holzen emphasized that there is an ecosystem of grant-funded NGOs that are interconnected and often simply repeat each other's commentary. They try to blur the line between a professional association established by law and ordinary NGOs. In his opinion, attempts to give such groups control over the legal profession risk the institution being captured by a narrow circle of people rather than bringing real reform.
The experts concluded that any reforms of the legal profession on Ukraine’s path toward EU membership should be evolutionary rather than revolutionary and must take into account the realities of martial law in the country.
Earlier, former US congressman and professional prosecutor Gregg Harper warned against attempts to destabilize Ukraine’s legal profession through so-called "shadow reports" and manipulation by external influence groups.
