he Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA), in cooperation with the International Bar Association (IBA), is launching a unique pilot mentorship program for judges, prosecutors, and defence lawyers involved in war crimes cases.

This initiative offers a rare opportunity for personalized support from international experts with experience in international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and human rights protection.

Program format: written exchange (case analysis submitted by participants), discussion of complex legal issues, and thematic Zoom sessions.

• Duration: up to 3 months

• Participants: only 1–2 legal professionals during the pilot phase – ensuring a truly individual approach

• Mentors: international experts with war crimes experience

• Facilitation and translation: UBA will facilitate communication and provide translation of all materials to/from English

OBJECTIVES OF THE PILOT

• To test a format of individualized mentorship for Ukrainian legal professionals working on war crimes cases

• To collect initial feedback and assess the effectiveness of written communication and facilitated translation

• To lay the groundwork for future program expansion to a broader group of participants

FORMAT OF INTERACTION

• Regular written communication (approximately once a week or every two weeks depending on the topic and participant engagement):

  • Participants submit a brief description of a specific case or professional challenge

  • UBA Secretariat translates the request and forwards it to the mentor

  • The mentor provides written feedback, comments, and suggestions, with a focus on legal arguments and international practice

• Thematic online sessions with interpreter (Zoom, up to 1.5 hours):

  • Thematic discussions

  • Q&A

  • Exchange on common challenges

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Trust and safety: All cases are discussed without disclosure of personal data

• Equal partnership: Participants and mentors engage with mutual respect and openness

• Feedback culture: All participants are invited to evaluate the program at the end of the pilot

PARTICIPANT SELECTION CRITERIA

Who we are looking for:

• Legal professionals actively working on war crimes cases

• Able to dedicate 1–2 hours per week and join monthly Zoom sessions

• Motivated to develop professionally through exchange with international experts

• Committed to the principles and rules of the program

Selection procedure:

• Application through Google Form

Applications accepted until 6 May (inclusive) via the link

• UBA will review applications based on experience, motivation, and case relevance

• A short interview may be conducted to clarify expectations and availability

• Final selection and announcement of results

PARTICIPANT BENEFITS

• Personalized feedback on real professional challenges
• Engagement with the international legal community
• Access to resources and best practices from international law
• Certificate of participation in UBA's pilot mentorship program
• Opportunity to serve as a mentor or coordinator in the full-scale program

This pilot will allow us to test key elements of the mentorship model, gather feedback, and refine the approach for future implementation. It is the first step towards building a sustainable platform of professional support for Ukrainian legal professionals working in the highly demanding field of war crimes.