Legal Aid From "Kolo"

Pro Bono services in Ukraine, unlike Western Europe or the United States, can only be described as not very popular and for some Ukrainian law firms it is a completely unknown phenomenon. "Yurydychna Gazeta" has decided to actively promote Pro Bono in its columns, because in today's world such services are essential ethical duties of a lawyer.

However, when it comes to companies that pay attention to Pro Bono services in Ukraine, we have what to be proud of. The projects of these companies are internationally recognized that is a reason for pride and an example for inspiration.

So, let`s begin this year with the publication of cases of companies that were awarded in a national contest of corporate social responsibility (hereinafter - CSR) Pro Bono Awards 2016, which is traditionally organized by the Center "Development of corporate social responsibility" supported by "Yurydychna Gazeta".

In this issue we present the case of Legal Alliance Company, whose charitable project "Kolo" was acknowledged the best CSR project in 2016.

Problem situation

Military conflict in eastern Ukraine and launched due to this anti-terrorist operation demonstrated major problem with material and technical resources and supply of armed forces. Later it became necessary to conduct explanatory work among ATO veterans concerning their rights, benefits and compensations, to help in psychological rehabilitation of the soldiers and to provide financial assistance to families of deceased soldiers.

The solution of the problem situation

In March 2014 some members of the legal market initiated organization of voluntary movement. In August 2014 partners of Legal Alliance Company established Charitable Foundation for the purpose of structuring of volunteer efforts aimed to help the soldiers in the ATO area and their families (more information about “Kolo” Foundation is available via links: http://kolofund.org/; https://www.facebook.com/fond.kolo/).

Focus areas of the Foundation are:

• psychological support;
• social adaptation;
• legal assistance;
• material and technical support of soldiers;
• raising public awareness on issues of problems of soldiers and their families.

Along with the main activity of “Kolo” Foundation, the project "Legal aid to ATO participants" was launched. The precondition of the project`s launch became the need for legal support and provision of qualified answers to the frequently asked questions of mobilized soldiers.

The main areas of inquiries are:

• assistance in obtaining of veteran status and benefits provided by this status;
• clarifying the issue of financial provision of military personnel within ATO area and the wounded soldiers in hospitals;
• procedural formalities of financial aid to the wounded soldiers and families of the deceased soldiers;
• advice on the registration of status of disabled veterans and disability pensions;
• restructuring of loan liabilities, exemptions from the accrual of interest and penalties;
• assistance in obtaining information and documents confirming participation in the ATO, assistance in obtaining financial aid;
• advice on the securing of land rights.

Results:

Due to unification and structuring of the volunteer efforts in the course of work of the Foundation, over 2 million hryvnia were spent and 40 direct deliveries to the ATO area were carried out. Besides, several projects aimed to provision of soldiers with unmanned fighting complexes (3 units), satellite communication equipment (2 units), night vision devices (6 units), thermal cameras (2 units), radios, uniforms (over 300 sets), summer and winter sleeping bags (over 100 units), individual first-aid kits (over 100 units), warm clothing, shoes, food, were implemented.

Comment:

Illya Kostin, Partner of Legal Alliance Company

"The main purpose of the Foundation`s activity is paying attention to the soldiers who defend Ukraine and to their families. I myself served from spring 2014 and I know that these people needed and still require logistical support as well as legal and psychological assistance. We want to help those who still remain on the front line or adjust to civilian life".