Who provides free legal assistance in Chernihiv?

Difficult life circumstances. Very often, behind this phrase are real dramas, problems that have not been resolved for years, and most importantly, the fate of people who are trying to protect themselves or defend their own rights guaranteed by the state.

And the state really guarantees us a lot, laws have been passed that protect the rights and freedoms of every person, regardless of the thickness of their wallet. But in real life, it happens that the one who has more opportunities to prove his rightness is right. That is, hire a lawyer, enlist the support of professional lawyers, etc. And what should be done for those who do not have money to pay for legal support, who cannot independently understand the legislation and do not even know where and to whom to complain and how to file a statement?

The state also took care of such people. In 2011, the Law “On Free Legal Aid” was adopted, which guarantees socially vulnerable groups of the population assistance in protecting their rights even in courts. But, unfortunately, an effective mechanism for providing such assistance from the state has not yet been worked out. Another problem is that the articles of the law are being implemented gradually, and it should be fully operational by 2018.

How to bring important information to people

This is not the first time that public organizations have taken on an educational mission, because they have been working with the most vulnerable groups of the population for a long time, providing them with free legal aid. If the authorities are also involved in this matter, fulfilling the requirements of the law, then it is necessary to establish cooperation, to bring information to people about where exactly they can get help.

Here it is appropriate to explain that legal aid is divided into primary and secondary. Primary is consultations, explanations, finding out ways to protect a citizen’s rights. This is very important work. Secondary is the services of lawyers, representation in court, writing lawsuits or complaints. That is, involving narrow specialists in defending rights. Usually, a person does not have the funds for this.

What it looks like in real life

According to the law, free legal aid is assistance guaranteed by the state. The law comes into force in stages, so today, at the expense of the state, citizens are guaranteed only free legal secondary assistance in criminal cases upon detention. Since January 2013, the Chernihiv Regional Center for the Provision of Free Secondary Legal Aid has been operating in the city. Since January 2014, it must also provide secondary assistance in civil cases, that is, when it comes to property issues and violations by state authorities. But the question of postponement is already being raised, since the state cannot financially ensure the payment of the services of the required number of lawyers, and there is no agreed understanding of who and in what volumes should provide free secondary assistance.

Not everything is so bad

Free primary legal assistance, in accordance with the Law, in the Chernihiv region is provided by public reception centers at the district and Chernihiv city departments of justice, the city Center for Social Services for Family, Children and Youth. There are lawyers in other local authorities, but these reception centers work only a few hours a week, and the number of specialists does not meet the needs of citizens. People should know that they can receive primary legal assistance in state institutions. And progress is already the fact that a detained person is given the opportunity to use the services of a lawyer in a criminal trial for free, that is, secondary legal assistance. A large amount of work is carried out by public organizations – their reception offices provide both primary and secondary legal assistance. For example, in the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, the Chernihiv Public Non-Governmental Organization “M’ART”, etc.