The provision of legal aid to citizens is regulated by the Law of Ukraine "On Free Legal Aid". Legal aid is of two types: primary and secondary.

Article 7. The concept of primary legal aid

1. Free primary legal aid is a type of state guarantee, which consists in informing a person about his/her rights and freedoms, the procedure for their realization, restoration in case of their violation and the procedure for appealing against decisions, actions or inaction of state authorities, local self-government bodies, officials and officers.

2. Free primary legal aid includes the following types of legal services:

1) provision of legal information;

2) provision of consultations and explanations on legal issues

3) drafting applications, complaints and other documents of a legal nature (except for documents of a procedural nature)

4) providing assistance in ensuring access to secondary legal aid and mediation.

Article 13. The concept of secondary legal aid

1. Secondary legal aid is a type of state guarantee, which consists in creating equal opportunities for access to justice.

2. Free secondary legal aid includes the following types of legal services:

1) defense; (clause 1 of part two of Article 13 as amended by the Law of Ukraine of 14.10.2014 N 1697-VII)

2) representation of the interests of persons entitled to free secondary legal aid in courts, other state bodies, local self-government bodies, and before other persons;

3) drafting procedural documents.

Can persons with disabilities receive secondary legal aid (FLA)?

- Yes, Persons with disabilities who receive a pension or assistance in lieu of a pension in an amount not exceeding two subsistence minimums for persons unable to work.

What documents are required to obtain such legal aid?

To receive secondary legal aid, you need

a passport or other identity document, a taxpayer registration number (except for individuals who, due to their religious beliefs, refuse to accept a taxpayer registration number and have notified the relevant supervisory authority and have a note in their passport) of such person and/or his/her representative, guardian, trustee;

a pension certificate or a certificate confirming the appointment of social assistance, or a certificate from the medical and social expert commission (MSEC) on the establishment of disability;

a certificate of pension amount or a certificate of the amount of social assistance granted instead of pension for the last month preceding the date of application.

The list of documents is not exhaustive. A person who wishes to receive free secondary legal aid has the right to submit any other document confirming his/her belonging to the subject of the right to free secondary legal aid.

Also, if you or a relative has been detained on suspicion in a criminal proceeding, call 0 800 213 103 to appoint a lawyer.

Where do I go to get help?

- If you are in the city of Kovel, you should contact the Kovel Local Center for Free Secondary Legal Aid. Phone: (03352) 5-30-63. Address: 5 Stepan Bandera St., Kovel, Volyn region, 45004

or to the Regional Center for Free Secondary Legal Aid in Volyn region. Phone: (0332) 78-79-96 / (0332) 78-79-95. Address: 22 Chopin str., Lutsk, Volyn region 43005