The current realities of war in Ukraine have posed exceptionally complex challenges for the legal profession, particularly regarding the defense of individuals accused of war crimes.

There arises the problem of reconciling the fundamental human right to defense, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and international treaties, with societal expectations demanding strict and inevitable punishment of the guilty. In these circumstances, lawyers face significant moral and social pressure, which generates specific ethical dilemmas in their professional activity. The unresolved nature of these issues creates a risk of undermining the authority of the legal profession and violating the principles of the rule of law.

The aim of the article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the moral and ethical challenges faced by lawyers in cases of war crimes, to define the limits of their professional and moral responsibility, and to justify the necessity of ensuring the independence of legal practice under societal and political pressure.

The main findings of the study indicate that legal practice in war crimes cases is accompanied by the stigmatization of the lawyer as a “defender of the enemy”, creating pressure from society, the media, and even the professional community. This complicates the lawyer’s key function – ensuring fair trial proceedings. It is established that the right to defense cannot be restricted by the severity of the alleged crimes, and the lawyer should not be equated with the actions of the client but rather guarantees compliance with the law. Particular attention is paid to the problem of the lawyer’s internal moral conflict, which may contradict personal beliefs and patriotic stance. In this context, the lawyer’s right to refuse a case on grounds of conscience is justified, provided the state ensures the appointment of another defender.

In conclusion, it is emphasized that moral and ethical dilemmas in war crimes cases are not merely personal issues for the lawyer but reflect fundamental principles of the rule-of-law state.

Ensuring the independence of the legal profession, protection from social pressure, and compliance with international professional standards are essential prerequisites for guaranteeing a fair trial.

Addressing these issues will contribute not only to increasing trust in the legal profession but also to strengthening the Ukrainian legal system as a whole.

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