Round Table in St. Petersburg: Cold Shower for «Witnesses of the «Lawyer Monopoly» from the Federal Chamber of Advocates who Violate the Norms of Lawyer Ethics

The round table in St. Petersburg on August 12, 2025, dedicated to the bill on the «lawyer`s monopoly», revealed a deep divide in the legal community. The author critically examines the arguments of reform supporters from the Federal Chamber of Advocates, highlighting their formalism, contradictions, and detachment from reality, including manipulation of the concept of «qualified legal assistance» and unethical personal attacks (notably by Mikhail Tolcheev). Supporting opponents, the author presents evidence of socio-economic risks, such as infringement on women lawyers’ rights, disruption of models in bankruptcy and consulting, and inefficiency of disciplinary control in the advocacy. Conclusions emphasize the need for modernizing the advocacy instead of enforced monopoly to ensure independence and accessibility of justice.