The article analyzes the provision of free legal aid to internally displaced persons in Ukraine. The relevance of this issue has become particularly acute in connection with the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine and the forced displacement of a significant number of citizens within the country.
It is worth focusing on international standards and regulatory legal acts of Ukraine that regulate the scope of free legal aid, in particular: the Constitution of Ukraine, the Laws of Ukraine, such as: “On Free Legal Aid”, “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons”, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “Some Issues of Payment for Services and Reimbursement of Expenses of Lawyers Providing Free Secondary Legal Aid” and others. The importance of implementing the constitutional right of every person to legal aid, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, is emphasized, and attention is also paid to international documents in this area under the legal regime of martial law.
The features of providing free legal aid to internally displaced persons are analyzed, in particular regarding the grounds and procedure for its receipt. The role of the free legal aid system operating in Ukraine and consisting of primary and secondary legal aid is considered. The types of legal services that can be provided to internally displaced persons within the framework of free legal aid are characterized. The role and powers of centers for providing free secondary legal aid in ensuring the right to legal aid to internally displaced persons are highlighted.
The article emphasizes the current problems that internally displaced persons face in exercising their right to free legal aid, such as: difficulties with document processing, restoration of lost documents, access to social benefits and benefits, etc.
Ways are proposed to improve the current legislation and mechanisms for exercising the right to free legal aid for internally displaced persons, taking into account international experience.
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