Аңдатпа
The essence and significance of the institution of advocacy and legal practice, the role of a lawyer as a defence counsel in criminal proceedings in the Republic of Kazakhstan, his procedural rights and obligations, as well as his legal status are comprehensively examined. The main objective of the study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the activities of a lawyer as a defence counsel in a criminal case, his powers and legal status in criminal proceedings. To achieve these objectives, tasks have been set to define the main functions of a lawyer in preliminary investigations, their role in procedural actions, the collection of evidence, the provision of defence in court, and many others. Issues related to strengthening the legal guarantees of the institution of advocacy, improving the effectiveness of professional activities, and strengthening the independence of lawyers in criminal proceedings are analysed. The normative legal acts regulating the legal basis of the institution of advocacy, the procedural status of lawyers, their professional responsibility and ethical standards, as well as mechanisms for restricting and ensuring the protection of lawyers' activities are studied. In addition, the role and place of lawyers in the Kazakh legal system is compared with best international practices and standards, and situations encountered in Kazakh legislation and law enforcement practice are analysed. The comparative legal method clearly demonstrated the current state of the institution of advocacy, the level of its legal status, as well as its role and place in the mechanism for protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. Using a comprehensive legal approach, the complex nature of legal practice is revealed, including organizational and structural, procedural and legal, and professional and ethical aspects. The results of the study can serve as a basis for developing specific recommendations and practical measures to improve the effectiveness of advocacy, ensure procedural equality, strengthen the fairness of criminal proceedings and justice, strengthen the institution of the legal profession, and ensure the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms and fair justice through the active participation of lawyers in the process, the formation of a sustainable legal culture, and the establishment of the rule of law.