What you need to know
Free secondary legal aid is available in specified court proceedings concerning legal capacity, guardianship, compulsory psychiatric care and compulsory hospitalisation.
A lawyer can explain the proceedings, review the evidence, represent the person’s interests and appeal a decision where there are legal grounds.
How legal aid can help
Understand your rights
Receive a confidential consultation and a clear explanation of the available procedures.
Prepare documents
Get help with applications, complaints, claims, appeals and other procedural documents.
Protect your interests
Where provided by law, a lawyer may defend you or represent your interests in court and before public authorities.
Matters you can raise
Legal capacity
Limiting, restoring or recognising a person’s civil legal capacity.
Guardianship
Appointment, replacement or release of a guardian or custodian.
Psychiatric care
Court proceedings concerning compulsory psychiatric assessment, care or hospitalisation.
Appeals
Reviewing court documents and challenging decisions that affect the person’s rights.
How to start
Choose a safe contact channel
Call, write online or visit a legal aid bureau. You may apply where you actually live.
Explain what happened
Tell the lawyer what decision or action you need to challenge and what documents you currently have.
Confirm the legal ground
The lawyer will check eligibility, explain the scope of services and identify any supporting documents.
Do not delay your first consultation because documents are missing. Bring what you have, and tell the lawyer if contacting you by telephone or message could create a safety risk.
The right to free secondary legal aid and its scope are defined by Article 14 and other provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Free Legal Aid”.