This article analyzes a draft law of Ukraine that proposes to expand the list of individuals eligible for free secondary legal aid (FSLA).

Analysis of the Draft Law on the Provision of Free Secondary Legal Aid to Orphans and Persons Deprived of Parental Care

An important legislative initiative has emerged in the area of safeguarding the rights of socially vulnerable groups of citizens. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law of Ukraine “On Amending Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Free Legal Aid’ regarding the expansion of the list of persons entitled to free secondary legal aid,” No. 14098, dated October 3, 2025

This draft law aims to eliminate the existing legal gap and ensure the right to free secondary legal aid for orphans and children deprived of parental care.

The current version of the Law of Ukraine “On Free Legal Aid” establishes the right to free secondary legal aid (FSLA) for children.

However, according to the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring Organizational and Legal Conditions for the Social Protection of Orphans and Children Deprived of Parental Care,” “orphans and children deprived of parental care” are defined as individuals who have reached the age of 18 but are not older than 23 and who have the corresponding status.

In fact, adults (aged 18–23) who are no longer under guardianship, but who require special protection due to their status as orphans or children deprived of parental care, were excluded from the list of individuals eligible for free legal aid. This created significant difficulties in exercising their right to judicial protection and representation of their interests.

Proposed Changes and Their Significance

The draft law proposes amending paragraph 2 of part one of Article 14 of the current law, revising it to read as follows:

“2) children and persons who are orphans or children deprived of parental care, for all types of legal services provided for in Part 2 of Article 13 of this Law;”

Key implications of this change:

1. Expansion of the scope of beneficiaries: Young people aged 18 to 23 who have the status of orphans or individuals deprived of parental care are officially included in the list of persons eligible for free legal aid.
2. Full scope of assistance: These individuals will be entitled to all types of secondary legal aid, including:

• Defense.
• Representation of interests in courts, other government agencies, local government bodies, and before other individuals.
• Drafting of procedural documents.

Conclusion

The adoption of this bill will have a direct positive impact on the interests of one of the most vulnerable groups of young people in Ukraine—those who grew up without parental care. Providing them with guaranteed access to free secondary legal aid will be an important step in ensuring their right to judicial protection and effective representation in all legal matters.

It is expected that the implementation of the law will help these individuals integrate more easily into society and defend their rights (to housing, inheritance, social benefits, etc.) during the critically important period of transition to adulthood (up to age 23).