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Secondary legal aid

Who may receive state-funded defence and representation of interests in court

Check whether you belong to a category entitled to state-funded defence, representation of interests in court and assistance drafting procedural documents.

Choose your situation

People who may receive free secondary legal aid

If you cannot find an exact match, please contact us for advice. A lawyer will check the legal grounds and explain the procedure.

People on low incomes and people with disabilitiesIncome, pension and social assistance eligibility rules. Internally displaced personsIDP status, payments, documents, housing and employment matters. War veterans and military service membersStatus, payments, military service and protection of rights. ChildrenLegal aid for every child, regardless of family income. Survivors of domestic or gender-based violenceProtective orders, safety, documents and court proceedings. Legal capacity and compulsory care proceedingsRepresentation of interests in court proceedings defined by law. People detained, imprisoned or otherwise deprived of libertyDefence and legal aid in criminal and administrative proceedings. People affected by the warWar crimes, lost documents, property and other consequences of war. Residents of temporarily occupied territoriesRemote access and protection of rights violated because of occupation. Families of fallen Defenders and missing personsStatus, payments, legal facts and protection of family interests. Foreign nationals, stateless persons and people without documentsStatus, identification, documents and appeals against decisions. Survivors of trafficking in human beingsProtection of rights, status, compensation and representation in court. Rehabilitated persons and victims of Nazi persecutionStatus, benefits, payments and restoration of rights. People deprived of liberty as a result of armed aggressionLegal services during captivity and after release. Survivors of conflict-related sexual violenceConfidential assistance with status, guarantees and reparations.
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Eligibility and application procedure

What you need to know

Free secondary legal aid enables eligible people to receive defence, representation of their interests in court and assistance drafting court documents without paying for legal services.

Not sure whether you qualify?

Start with a consultation. Primary legal aid is available to everyone under Ukraine’s jurisdiction. A lawyer will review your situation and explain whether secondary legal aid is appropriate.

Services covered

01

Defence

Assistance from a lawyer in criminal proceedings and other cases where defence is provided by law.

02

Representation of interests in court

Representation in courts, before public authorities, local government bodies and other persons.

03

Court documents

Drafting claims, applications, appeals and other procedural documents.

Who may receive free secondary legal aid

The categories below are grouped by life circumstances. The exact scope of services depends on the category and the legal issue.

Social status, age or consequences of war
  • people on low incomes and certain people with disabilities receiving a pension or state social assistance;
  • children;
  • internally displaced persons and people appealing a refusal to register them as internally displaced;
  • Ukrainian citizens living in temporarily occupied territories or areas of hostilities, for rights violated because of the armed aggression;
  • war veterans, military service members in categories provided by law and people applying for the relevant status;
  • family members of fallen veterans and Defenders of Ukraine, and families of persons missing under special circumstances;
  • rehabilitated persons and victims of Nazi persecution.
Violence, exploitation or loss of liberty due to war
  • survivors of trafficking in human beings;
  • survivors of domestic or gender-based violence;
  • survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, torture or ill-treatment;
  • people found to have been deprived of personal liberty as a result of the armed aggression against Ukraine.
Detention, criminal proceedings or imprisonment
  • people subject to administrative detention or administrative arrest;
  • people detained under the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine;
  • people held in custody or requiring appointed defence in criminal proceedings;
  • people serving custodial sentences in categories provided by law.
Documents, citizenship and migration
  • refugees and people seeking complementary or temporary protection;
  • foreign nationals and stateless persons detained for identification and enforced removal;
  • people applying for recognition as stateless persons;
  • people without identity or citizenship documents who need a court to establish facts required for obtaining documents.
Specific court proceedings and public-interest protection
  • people involved in court proceedings on legal capacity, compulsory psychiatric care or other cases specified by law;
  • whistleblowers seeking protection connected with a corruption report;
  • people in other categories expressly listed in Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Free Legal Aid”.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Ask for a consultation

    Call, write online or visit a legal aid bureau. A lawyer will clarify the circumstances and your possible eligibility.

  2. 2

    Submit a written application

    You may apply based on your actual place of residence, regardless of your registered address.

  3. 3

    Provide supporting documents

    Documents usually identify you and confirm the relevant statutory category. Some information may be checked in state registers.

  4. 4

    Receive a decision

    For most written applications, the centre decides within 10 working days after receiving the application and supporting documents. Urgent procedures apply to detention and appointed defence.

What “free” means

You do not pay for the legal services of the lawyer or Free Legal Aid system employee assigned to your case. Court fees, expert examinations, translations and other case-related expenses are separate; your lawyer will explain possible exemptions or deferrals.

Could not find your situation?

Please contact us anyway. A lawyer will check the legal grounds and explain other ways to protect your rights.

Choose how to contact us