Children face situations that call for professional legal support: violations of their rights, violence, family disputes, paperwork, questions of housing, inheritance, social payments or schooling. In all these cases, help is available free of charge.

The explanation of the amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Free Legal Aid" was published by the Boyarka City Council.

What primary aid covers

It means legal consultations, explanation of a child's rights and information on how to exercise or defend a right that has been breached. It also covers help in drafting applications, appeals and complaints, and preparing other legal documents — except those intended for court.

This is the level at which most everyday questions are settled: when you need to understand whether a right has been breached, and what to do next.

When the matter reaches court

Secondary aid means representing the child's interests in courts, in state bodies and local self-government bodies, and before other parties. It covers drafting statements of claim, court filings and procedural documents.

These services are provided by the free legal aid system — a state network of access points operating across Ukraine. You can approach it in person, by phone or online.

What changes with age

For children under 14, aid in court-related matters is provided through legal representatives — parents, adoptive parents or guardians.

From the age of 14 a child may apply independently, but only on certain matters: defending their rights in cases of inadequate parental care, deprivation of parental rights, establishing paternity, and revoking an adoption or having it declared invalid.

From 16, the list expands to include permission to marry, dissolution or annulment of a marriage, and the granting of full civil capacity.

The right does not end at adulthood

Orphans and those deprived of parental care keep the right to free legal aid until they are 23 — five more years after coming of age.

That is precisely the period when a person has to work through housing, payments and documents alone, without yet having the habit of turning to a lawyer.

Nota bene

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