The use of IT technologies in the process of improving the qualifications of a lawyer

Abstract

This article reveals the legal nature of a lawyer's professional duty to improve his qualifications through the prism of the use of information technologies in the process of improving such qualifications. The position is argued, according to which the acceleration of the pace of the use of information technologies in the context of the professional activity of a lawyer, including in matters related to the improvement of his qualifications, is in a certain way determined by the requirements of today, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic in the world in recent years, as well as the military Russia's aggression against the Ukrainian people.
 Within the framework of this article, the experience of leading foreign countries (in particular, the USA, Great Britain, Japan, Canada) was disclosed, primarily regarding professional development through distance education of lawyers. Emphasis is placed on the positive aspects of the reform of the Institute for the Advancement of Lawyers, as a result of which the Internet platform of the Accreditation Center of the Higher School of Advocacy of the National Bar Association of Ukraine was first created, which includes information on all accredited current and ongoing measures for the advancement of attorneys’ qualifications, which significantly simplifies access to information on their implementation.
 It is concluded that, on the one hand, the development by the Higher School of Advocacy of NAAU of special, adaptation courses (instructions) of professional development online for interns, assistant attorneys and persons, in the case of renewal of their right to engage in advocacy, is positive, and on the other hand, taking into account the fact that professional development is a professional obligation that applies to all Ukrainian lawyers, who are not exempted from the obligation to pay contributions precisely to ensure the implementation of lawyer self-governance, and therefore the passage of relevant measures (programs) developed by this institution must take place on a free basis.