Frequently asked questions

Call, or send a message through the form on the Contact page. Appointments are by prior arrangement, so that your matter gets its own dedicated time.

It depends on the complexity of the matter, the volume of work and the time involved. The fee, how it is calculated and how it is paid are set out in the legal-services agreement (Art. 30 of the Law on Advocacy and Advocates' Activity). Call to find out an indicative figure for your own situation.

Do not give explanations without a lawyer, and do not sign anything you have not read carefully. You have the right to legal assistance at any stage and the right not to incriminate yourself (Art. 63 of the Constitution of Ukraine). First establish in what capacity you are being summoned — witness, suspect or victim. There is more in What to do if you're summoned for questioning and on the Criminal law page.

The right to a defence lawyer arises from the moment of detention, not after the first interview. Say that you are exercising your right to a lawyer, and give no explanations until they arrive. Call yourself, or ask someone close to you to call — the number is on the Contact page.

Yes. Advocate–client privilege is a duty binding on every advocate under Art. 22 of the Law on Advocacy and Advocates' Activity — it is not a separate service. It covers the very fact that a person sought legal assistance, is unlimited in time, and applies whether or not an agreement is ultimately signed. That said, please do not send case details or copies of documents through the website form — describe the question in a sentence or two and we will discuss the rest in person.

The format — in person, by phone or by video — is agreed when booking, depending on the matter and its stage. Write or call and we will settle on something convenient.

The main place of work is Odesa and Odesa Oblast. A certificate of the right to practise as an advocate is valid throughout Ukraine, so involvement in matters in other regions is possible and is arranged separately.

Bring anything connected with the matter: identification, summonses, court rulings, records, contracts, correspondence with state bodies, and copies of them. If you have no documents, or cannot get at them, that is not an obstacle — come with what you have.

A legal-services agreement is concluded in writing (Art. 27 of the Law on Advocacy and Advocates' Activity). It records the scope of assistance, the fee and the payment arrangements. To act in a case, the advocate files an ордер (warrant) confirming their authority.

No — and no advocate is permitted to promise one. The Rules of Advocates' Ethics expressly prohibit statements about the likelihood of a successful outcome, because the result depends on the evidence, the court's position and circumstances no party controls. What can be done is to assess the prospects candidly, explain the possible scenarios, and work your position through methodically.

An advocate's status can be verified in the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine (ЄРАУ), maintained by the Ukrainian National Bar Association, searchable by surname. The register is public and free, and it — rather than anything stated on a website — is the official confirmation.