Lawyers collect statements from faithful to defend Kyiv Metropolia in court

UOC lawyers are collecting statements in defense of the Kyiv Metropolia. Photo: AI-generated

Lawyers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are collecting statements from clergy and laypeople wishing to participate in the court proceedings over the DESS lawsuit seeking the dissolution of the Kyiv Metropolia. UOC attorney Archpriest Nikita Chekman published a legal procedure on his Telegram channel allowing faithful to join the case as third parties supporting the Church.

According to the attorney, the DESS lawsuit has caused considerable concern among the faithful. Lawyers have therefore received numerous requests from people seeking to apply for participation in the case on the side of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC as third parties without independent claims.

To provide legal assistance, the lawyers published the necessary materials, including a sample application, step-by-step filing instructions, a sample postal inventory of enclosed documents, and a copy of the DESS statement of claim.

Bishops, priests, deacons, monastics, and laypeople who believe that the dissolution of the Metropolia would violate their rights and interests may take part in the proceedings.

“Each person must decide independently whether to submit the relevant application, taking into account their own circumstances and the possible impact of the court’s decision on their rights, freedoms, or legitimate interests,” the attorney stressed.

Examples of the applications and instructions for completing them in order to participate in the court proceedings are available on Archpriest Nikita Chekman’s Telegram channel.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the court had postponed consideration of the DESS lawsuit seeking the dissolution of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC until September 10.

Read also