Where to get legal assistance

Free initial advice: who can use it

Everyone under Ukraine’s jurisdiction is entitled to free primary legal aid. It covers legal information, advice, explanations and help preparing non-procedural applications and complaints. You do not first have to prove eligibility for free court representation to request initial advice. ^[1]

Call 0 800 213 103 free within Ukraine, or +380 44 363 10 41 from abroad at your operator’s rate. Telephone advice is available Monday–Friday, 08:00–18:00 Kyiv time. The official page also provides written contact channels and an office finder; written advice hours are 09:00–17:00 on weekdays. ^[2]

Representation or documents for court

Defence, representation and preparation of procedural documents are secondary legal aid. Children and internally displaced persons are entitled to all its types under Article 14 of the Law. For IDPs and certain other groups listed in the law, aid is limited to six grants during a budget period and no more than six concurrent decisions granting aid. For other categories, entitlement may be tied to a particular issue or proceeding. ^[1]

For example, close relatives and family members of a person missing under special circumstances are entitled to representation and procedural documents to protect rights under the missing-persons law. For people whose deprivation of liberty has been formally recognised, assistance covers rights and interests violated through that deprivation. Victims of sexual offences, torture or cruel treatment during war have an entitlement in the relevant criminal proceedings. Separate grounds cover challenging refusal of conflict-related sexual violence survivor recognition and protecting rights under the special law. ^[1]

A written request normally requires identifying information and documents supporting the relevant eligibility category; the centre may obtain some confirmation from state registers. Explain the issue first and ask which evidence applies to your grounds. If a document is missing, say so: an incomplete file is not a reason to postpone initial advice. ^[1]

Help with a Register of Damage claim

The RD4U directory provides civil society organisations’ contacts, assistance types and subject areas. Organisations supply their own information; the Register does not manage their work or accept responsibility for its results. Contact the chosen organisation directly about assistance, conditions and adviser availability. ^[3]

Right to Protection describes free legal assistance for people affected by war and forced displacement, including personal and property documents and damaged housing. Its own service page and RD4U directory entry are linked below. ^{[4] [5]}

Support after violence

The government’s 1547 line is free and available around the clock within Ukraine for trafficking, domestic violence, gender-based violence and violence against children. It offers advice and psychological support and registers referrals to public authorities. Before giving a detailed account, you can ask what information will be recorded and who will receive the referral. ^[6]

Preparing for the conversation

• Explain your question in one or two sentences; mention a known deadline or refusal date, if any.
• Keep available documents nearby. You do not need to circulate a passport, medical records or a detailed account of violence merely to choose a contact channel.
• If necessary, ask for a safe time and method of contact. Before sending material, clarify the recipient, purpose and secure channel.
• Do not give another person your passwords, login codes or electronic signature.

These are practical first-contact suggestions, not additional eligibility conditions. A link does not establish a partnership with the Foundation or guarantee acceptance of a case. Foundation contacts are for this section’s materials and cooperation: “Cooperation with the Foundation: guidance and research”.