The leading Kazakhstan lawyers specializing in different areas of practice and activities spoke at the Conference on various topical issues.  AEQUITAS Partner, Natalya Braynina, spoke on the introduction of the English law institutes in Kazakhstan.  Partner Yulia Chumachenko and Senior Associate Karina Sultanaliyeva participated in the discussion regarding application of personal data protection legislation.

One of the issues topical for Kazakhstan's legal practitioners is that of the so-called "advocate (defense attorney) monopoly."  During the Conference, this issue was subject to discussion between commercial lawyers and representatives of the advocate profession.  AEQUITAS was represented by its Senior Litigation Advisor, former judge of the RK Supreme Court, Violetta Kim. The proposals voiced and formulated in the course of discussion will be presented on behalf of KazBar to the governmental agencies engaging in the draft law preparation.    

One of KazBar's main achievements in the year 2013 was the approval of the Code of Conduct, one of its pivotal documents. 

The Code was presented at the conference by Elena Bychkova, KazBar Deputy Chairman and AEQUITAS Deputy Director for Business Development.  Elena is one of the Code developers and a member of the KazBar Ethics Commission. The Code lays the fundamental principles binding on the Association members in their exercise of professional activities.  It is based on the provisions of the Code of Ethics of IBA whose officially recognized subdivision in Kazakhstan is KazBar.     

Adoption of the Code was hailed not only by the KazBar members, but also by representatives of governmental agencies and higher educational institutions.  Some higher educational institutions are proposed to introduce a special course "Lawyer's Professional Ethics," which is planned to be prepared by AEQUITAS lawyers, among other. 

The Conference made another important decision concerning KazBar activities - issuance to its members of recommendations to be admitted to render professional legal services.  

In the nearest future, the Association members will be issued personal certificates confirming the recommendation, based on their special attestation.   KazBar is pursuing its various format activities aimed at attaining one of the Association's main objectives - to enhance the professional level of Kazakhstan lawyers and the status of the legal profession in general.