National pressure records / Article
How Has Access to Legal Aid Changed in Belarus in 2024?
Published March 7, 2025
On 26 February 2025, an expanded meeting of the Belarusian Republican Bar Association (BRBA) Council took place. During the review of results, BRBA Chairman Alexey Shvakov emphasised that "the number of attorneys in the country has increased by five over the past year, now totalling 1,605 attorneys," and that "there are no legal consultations (LCs) without attorneys".
For several years, our project has been conducting a regular assessment of the numerical state of the legal profession in Belarus. In previous reports, we identified the phenomenon of "Schrödinger's” legal advice offices, referring to territorial legal consultations where no specialists were listed, despite Shvakov's claims. The absence of attorneys providing qualified legal assistance within an administrative district means that the right to legal defence is not fully realised. This is in addition to other violations of this right, such as the revocation of attorneys’ licences, the inability to hire a lawyer of one’s choice, and the denial of access to clients.
At first glance, having at least one attorney in an LC already seems like a positive outcome. However, upon closer examination, a single lawyer serving an entire district of several tens of thousands of residents is far from an ideal situation. Special attention should be given to LCs where there is only one attorney, particularly if their licence was obtained recently (2023 or 2024). While it cannot be said that "new attorneys" lack the necessary qualifications — some less-experienced specialists may be more ambitious, energetic, and engaged — the absence of a mentor or senior colleague to share knowledge and provide guidance ultimately affects the quality of legal assistance, and consequently, the well-being of individuals relying on it.
The presence of LCs without lawyers, or with only one lawyer, is a direct consequence of the state’s repressive policies against professionals involved in high-profile cases or those otherwise deemed "inconvenient" to the prevailing ideology, which has infiltrated the entire legal profession.
Below, we present comparative tables for each territorial bar association to verify the accuracy of Shvakov's statements. The analysis compares data from April 2024 to January 2025. The conclusions follow the tables.
Yellow highlights indicate LCs where the number of lawyers remained unchanged; pink highlights indicate a decrease in the number of lawyers; green highlights indicate an increase, while red highlights indicate LCs with only one remaining lawyer.
For several years, our project has been conducting a regular assessment of the numerical state of the legal profession in Belarus. In previous reports, we identified the phenomenon of "Schrödinger's” legal advice offices, referring to territorial legal consultations where no specialists were listed, despite Shvakov's claims. The absence of attorneys providing qualified legal assistance within an administrative district means that the right to legal defence is not fully realised. This is in addition to other violations of this right, such as the revocation of attorneys’ licences, the inability to hire a lawyer of one’s choice, and the denial of access to clients.
At first glance, having at least one attorney in an LC already seems like a positive outcome. However, upon closer examination, a single lawyer serving an entire district of several tens of thousands of residents is far from an ideal situation. Special attention should be given to LCs where there is only one attorney, particularly if their licence was obtained recently (2023 or 2024). While it cannot be said that "new attorneys" lack the necessary qualifications — some less-experienced specialists may be more ambitious, energetic, and engaged — the absence of a mentor or senior colleague to share knowledge and provide guidance ultimately affects the quality of legal assistance, and consequently, the well-being of individuals relying on it.
The presence of LCs without lawyers, or with only one lawyer, is a direct consequence of the state’s repressive policies against professionals involved in high-profile cases or those otherwise deemed "inconvenient" to the prevailing ideology, which has infiltrated the entire legal profession.
Below, we present comparative tables for each territorial bar association to verify the accuracy of Shvakov's statements. The analysis compares data from April 2024 to January 2025. The conclusions follow the tables.
Yellow highlights indicate LCs where the number of lawyers remained unchanged; pink highlights indicate a decrease in the number of lawyers; green highlights indicate an increase, while red highlights indicate LCs with only one remaining lawyer.
BRBA (Brest Regional Bar Association)
In summary, the number of LCs with only one attorney in BRBA remained the same: two in both 2024 and 2025. While previously problematic LCs in Lyakhovichi and Zhabinka have improved, Malorita and Gantsevichi have now taken their place. The situation in Gantsevichi is particularly concerning: a single attorney with a newly obtained licence serves a population of 24,000 persons, with no experienced colleague for support.
BOCA saw a net increase of 21 attorneys, with five leaving or being excluded, while 26 new ones entered the profession. A notable increase was observed in the "Legal Line" LC.
BOCA saw a net increase of 21 attorneys, with five leaving or being excluded, while 26 new ones entered the profession. A notable increase was observed in the "Legal Line" LC.
VRBA (Vitebsk Regional Bar Association)
One of the most problematic regional bar associations, VRBA, has shown signs of improvement. For instance, there are now no legal consultation offices without attorneys: in Sharkovshchina and Dubrovno districts — which lacked legal representation in 2024 — there is now one lawyer each. However, it’s worth noting that the sole attorney in Sharkovshchina only obtained their license in 2023.
That’s where the good news ends. The districts of Lepel and Miory have joined the list of LCOs with just one attorney. This brings the total number of such “Schrödinger’s LCOs” to 15: two new additions and two more where the number of active lawyers has dropped.
VRBA saw 12 new attorneys join over the year, while three were removed from the registry. Compared to 2024, when our project matched the actual number of lawyers to the minimum set by the Ministry of Justice, nine LCOs in the Vitebsk region still fall short of the required minimum: LCO No. 2, as well as those in Orsha, Gorodok, Glubokoe, Dokshitsy, Dubrovno, Postavy, Tolochin, and Sharkovshchina districts.
That’s where the good news ends. The districts of Lepel and Miory have joined the list of LCOs with just one attorney. This brings the total number of such “Schrödinger’s LCOs” to 15: two new additions and two more where the number of active lawyers has dropped.
VRBA saw 12 new attorneys join over the year, while three were removed from the registry. Compared to 2024, when our project matched the actual number of lawyers to the minimum set by the Ministry of Justice, nine LCOs in the Vitebsk region still fall short of the required minimum: LCO No. 2, as well as those in Orsha, Gorodok, Glubokoe, Dokshitsy, Dubrovno, Postavy, Tolochin, and Sharkovshchina districts.
GRBA (Gomel Regional Bar Association)
Compared to 11 “problematic” LCs in 2024, nine remain so in 2025. Each of these has just one attorney on staff. The Narovlya district finally gained an attorney, making it no longer “lawyerless,” while Chechersk saw its numbers drop from two to one. Narovlya had no attorney of its own since February 2023.
The net increase in the region? Just one attorney. Eight joined, while seven left GRBA.
The net increase in the region? Just one attorney. Eight joined, while seven left GRBA.
Grodno Regional Bar Association
Grodno Regional Bar Association stands out as the only regional bar with a negative net change: two attorneys joined, while eight left.
A dramatic decline is visible in the Leninsky District of Grodno, where the number of practising lawyers fell by six in a single year. In Ivye and Ostrovets, LCOs that once had two attorneys are now down to one. For instance, Anna Girut’s license — granted in 2022 — was suspended in November 2024, just a few months ago.
As a result, five LCOs now operate with just one attorney. The actual number of practising lawyers stands at 90 — six fewer than the minimum threshold set for the region. For comparison, in April 2024 the region was short just two attorneys (96 vs. 98). This clearly signals a worsening personnel crisis, especially considering that in 2014 the region planned for 105 specialists. Now it struggles to maintain even 90.
A dramatic decline is visible in the Leninsky District of Grodno, where the number of practising lawyers fell by six in a single year. In Ivye and Ostrovets, LCOs that once had two attorneys are now down to one. For instance, Anna Girut’s license — granted in 2022 — was suspended in November 2024, just a few months ago.
As a result, five LCOs now operate with just one attorney. The actual number of practising lawyers stands at 90 — six fewer than the minimum threshold set for the region. For comparison, in April 2024 the region was short just two attorneys (96 vs. 98). This clearly signals a worsening personnel crisis, especially considering that in 2014 the region planned for 105 specialists. Now it struggles to maintain even 90.
MogRBA (Mogilev Regional Bar Association)
There are two key takeaways from the Mogilev region — one mildly positive, the other less so. On the bright side, Slavgorod and Chausy districts are no longer “Schrödinger-style” legal consultations: both now have one practising attorney.
However, the number of LCs with only one attorney has not changed. MogOKA still leads in the number of single-lawyer district offices — 15 in total, two more than in April 2024 due to the addition of newly staffed LCs.
In the end, 15 out of 21 districts raise serious concerns about access to legal assistance. The net gain matches that of GRBA: just two attorneys (five joined, three left).
However, the number of LCs with only one attorney has not changed. MogOKA still leads in the number of single-lawyer district offices — 15 in total, two more than in April 2024 due to the addition of newly staffed LCs.
In the end, 15 out of 21 districts raise serious concerns about access to legal assistance. The net gain matches that of GRBA: just two attorneys (five joined, three left).
MCBA (Minsk City Bar Association)
As usual, MCBA remains the strongest performer in the legal aid landscape. While the regions continue to raise serious concerns, the capital city shows growth. The “Change” column has more pluses than minuses: 27 new attorneys joined, while 10 left.
Today, 589 attorneys provide legal services to 1.9 million residents. That’s one attorney per 3,383 people. In September 2023, the ratio was 1:3,265 — indicating a deterioration in just a year and a half. For comparison, Moscow boasts a ratio of 1:1,022 — three times better than Minsk. This casts serious doubt on the adequacy of the legal support system in the Belarusian capital.
Today, 589 attorneys provide legal services to 1.9 million residents. That’s one attorney per 3,383 people. In September 2023, the ratio was 1:3,265 — indicating a deterioration in just a year and a half. For comparison, Moscow boasts a ratio of 1:1,022 — three times better than Minsk. This casts serious doubt on the adequacy of the legal support system in the Belarusian capital.
MRBA (Minsk Regional Bar Association)
The Uzda District LC, previously the only one in the Minsk region without a single attorney, now has a specialist. Meanwhile, Berezino, Krupki, and Vileika districts each saw a reduction to just one attorney. In total, there are now nine single-lawyer LCOs across the region.
Surprisingly, despite the capital Minsk gaining 17 attorneys over the year, the Minsk region saw only modest growth: 10 new attorneys joined, while 6 left, resulting in a net increase of four.
A case worth highlighting is Stolbtsy District, which has been under our scrutiny since it lost its attorneys due to repressive actions from the bar’s self-governance bodies. For the second consecutive report, there has been no further decline: currently, two lawyers work there (despite the statutory minimum being four). One of them, M. Miguro, is a former deputy head of the internal affairs department – chief of criminal police in the Stolbtsy district.
Surprisingly, despite the capital Minsk gaining 17 attorneys over the year, the Minsk region saw only modest growth: 10 new attorneys joined, while 6 left, resulting in a net increase of four.
A case worth highlighting is Stolbtsy District, which has been under our scrutiny since it lost its attorneys due to repressive actions from the bar’s self-governance bodies. For the second consecutive report, there has been no further decline: currently, two lawyers work there (despite the statutory minimum being four). One of them, M. Miguro, is a former deputy head of the internal affairs department – chief of criminal police in the Stolbtsy district.
Conclusions
Number of attorneys in district Legal consultations as of January 1, 2025 (excluding regional consultations and the city of Minsk)
*on the map: Legal consultations with one attorney. March 2025
Red - Legal consultations, in which there is one attorney (for the entire district)
Pink - Legal advice offices where the number of attorneys is decreasing
Green - Legal advice offices seeing an increase in the number of attorneys
The number is the actual number as of January 1, 2025, and the number in brackets is the decrease/increase during 2024 (if any)
Red - Legal consultations, in which there is one attorney (for the entire district)
Pink - Legal advice offices where the number of attorneys is decreasing
Green - Legal advice offices seeing an increase in the number of attorneys
The number is the actual number as of January 1, 2025, and the number in brackets is the decrease/increase during 2024 (if any)
Recently, we reported that for the first time since 2020, the “birth rate” of attorneys exceeded the “death rate”. This shift is now reflected in the status of legal consultations: according to official data, there are no longer any lawyerless LCs in Belarus. Every consultation now has at least one attorney.
Yet the situation remains critical in LCs staffed by just one specialist. There are 55 districts nationwide where a single attorney is expected to serve several thousand — or even tens of thousands — of persons.
Summing up, we can now confidently echo the words of A. Shvakov at the BRBA meeting: indeed, there are no LCs without lawyers left in the country. MogRBA, once a leading underperformer, now shows signs of stable development, along with Gomel and Vitebsk regions. Special attention should be given to the Brest region, which gained 26 attorneys in a year while losing only five — resulting in a net increase of 21, surpassing even Minsk's 17 (which usually leads the stats).
The picture is less optimistic in the Grodno region. Its Bar Association remains the only one where the “death rate” still exceeds the “birth rate,” and the number of attorneys continues to decline. This is especially striking given that under our findings Grodno Bar previously had among the fewest “problematic” LCs — those without lawyers or staffed by only one.
It’s worth recalling that our project first flagged lawyerless LCs in March 2023. Now, nearly two years later in March 2025, we can reflect on the path. Since alerting the public to the alarming reality of entire districts without legal aid, the bar’s administration has worked to create a semblance of normalcy. While it is undoubtedly positive that most vacant consultations have now been staffed with at least one lawyer, the broader crisis remains unresolved. Due to ongoing repression and the profession’s deepening personnel shortage, solving the problem of “Schrödinger’s LCs” took two full years.
Lastly, while A. Shvakov spoke publicly of a net gain of five attorneys over the past year — marking the first increase since 2020 — the total of 1,605 attorneys still reflects a 27% decline from pre-purge numbers. We will soon review who became a lawyer in 2024, but the general trend is clear: recent law graduates are being used to plug statistical holes. Furthermore, the profession continues to absorb former prosecutors, judges, investigators, and security officers — who, since 2021, enjoy an expedited path into the bar.
Yet the situation remains critical in LCs staffed by just one specialist. There are 55 districts nationwide where a single attorney is expected to serve several thousand — or even tens of thousands — of persons.
Summing up, we can now confidently echo the words of A. Shvakov at the BRBA meeting: indeed, there are no LCs without lawyers left in the country. MogRBA, once a leading underperformer, now shows signs of stable development, along with Gomel and Vitebsk regions. Special attention should be given to the Brest region, which gained 26 attorneys in a year while losing only five — resulting in a net increase of 21, surpassing even Minsk's 17 (which usually leads the stats).
The picture is less optimistic in the Grodno region. Its Bar Association remains the only one where the “death rate” still exceeds the “birth rate,” and the number of attorneys continues to decline. This is especially striking given that under our findings Grodno Bar previously had among the fewest “problematic” LCs — those without lawyers or staffed by only one.
It’s worth recalling that our project first flagged lawyerless LCs in March 2023. Now, nearly two years later in March 2025, we can reflect on the path. Since alerting the public to the alarming reality of entire districts without legal aid, the bar’s administration has worked to create a semblance of normalcy. While it is undoubtedly positive that most vacant consultations have now been staffed with at least one lawyer, the broader crisis remains unresolved. Due to ongoing repression and the profession’s deepening personnel shortage, solving the problem of “Schrödinger’s LCs” took two full years.
Lastly, while A. Shvakov spoke publicly of a net gain of five attorneys over the past year — marking the first increase since 2020 — the total of 1,605 attorneys still reflects a 27% decline from pre-purge numbers. We will soon review who became a lawyer in 2024, but the general trend is clear: recent law graduates are being used to plug statistical holes. Furthermore, the profession continues to absorb former prosecutors, judges, investigators, and security officers — who, since 2021, enjoy an expedited path into the bar.
