Current issues of the current situation of advocates

The article presents the results of the study of topical issues of the current situation of lawyers. On the example of such aspect of their activity as familiarization with the materials of the criminal case, it is shown that the mechanism of realization of this duty of advocates needs improvement. The author sees as problematic the fact that advocates in practice face difficulties in gaining access to the materials of the criminal case, and the fact that access to the materials of the case can be obtained by advocates who do not have the appropriate grounds for this. As a solution to these problems, the author proposes the creation of an electronic database of criminal cases, since one of the key factors in the development of advocates’ activities in modern conditions is digitalization. In order to put this mechanism into practice, according to the author’s position, it is necessary to ensure information security in the advocate’s activity. Analysis of the Rules of Conduct for advocates on the Internet, approved by the Council of the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation, indicates that this document does not sufficiently reflect the aspects of information security. The article presents recommendations on making clarifications to the content of the principle of security in the context of advocates’ activities in the Internet, thanks to which conditions can be created for the safe use by advocates of the electronic database of criminal cases.