The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a decree, thereby launching the process of an initiative to set up across the country 428 legal aid bureau offices of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine which was presented by the Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko at the Cabinet’s meeting on February 11.

The decree provides for the elimination of 586 territorial bodies of the Ministry of Justice and in the regional centers and establish in district and regional centers 428 legal aid bureaus to provide Ukrainian citizens with legal protection and to ensure access to e-services opened by the Ministry of Justice.

"Last year we launched a system of free legal aid in administrative civil and criminal cases, which enumerated 100 centers. Due to the budget funding and economy within the Ministry of Justice, we are expanding the network of free legal aid centers and run 428 legal assistance bureau offices throughout Ukraine", explained Pavlo Petrenko.

According to him, the newly established offices will share activities of the launched centres of free legal assistance, thus covering the entire Ukraine’s territory including district centers and cities of regional significance.

"In these centers citizens on legitimate grounds, will be able to exercise their right to counsel. This applies to the low-income, the disabled, pensioners, displaced persons, ATO participants and the families of the victims. In these centres our citizens will be provided consultative support and on-line services of the Ministry of justice. Also, these legal centers will provide primary assistance, i.e. advice to all the people who don't need a lawyer but require simple legal support", said the Minister of Justice.