General information
These Terms of Use (the "Terms") define the procedure and rules for using the Platform (as defined below), which is administered by the Platform Operator (as defined below). The Platform Operator has the right to review these Terms from time to time, make changes and update these Terms on the Platform.
Please read these Terms carefully before accessing, authorizing or using the Platform or any part thereof. By accessing, browsing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood these Terms and agree to be bound by these Terms (as amended from time to time), as well as other Platform Rules (which are incorporated into these Terms by reference). We strongly recommend that you do not use the Platform if you do not agree to these Terms.
The administrator of the PravoVsim platform assumes that consultations and other free legal assistance provided by registered lawyers, as experts in the field of law in the country in which they are located, comply with the legislation of the respective country.
Definition of concepts
2.1. A Registered User is a User who has registered an electronic account and has the right to use the functionality of the PravoVsim platform:
1. access to the account;
2. the right to communicate with Registered Lawyers through the Platform;
3. the right to receive free Consultations.
2.2. A Registered Lawyer is a Lawyer who has successfully passed authorisation on the Platform, as a result of which they have received:
1. access to their account;
2. the right to communicate with Registered Users through the Platform;
3. the right to provide free Consultations;
4. the right to post their own publications in the ‘Blog’ section free of charge, subject to compliance with the Platform Rules;
5. and other opportunities provided by the Platform's functionality.
2.3. Free legal aid – provision of information by Registered Lawyers regarding legislation and its application for Registered Users online on the PravoVsim platform.
2.4. Collection and processing of personal data – the collection and processing of personal data by the Danish Refugee Council in Ukraine with the consent of the user, whereby the Danish Refugee Council is responsible for the protection and processing of such data in accordance with the legislation on the protection of personal data.
2.5. Consultation is the direct process of a Registered User receiving Free Legal Aid provided by a Registered Lawyer in response to a Request Form submitted by the Registered User, either by electronic means of communication or in person, in the manner determined by the Registered User and the Registered Lawyer.
2.6. A User is a person who needs Free Legal Aid and/or wishes to familiarise themselves with the information posted on the Platform and is, in particular, but not exclusively (i) a citizen of Ukraine who has refugee status or is a person in need of temporary protection, (ii) an internally displaced person, (iii) a person from vulnerable groups of the population (within the meaning of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Social Services’ No. 2671-VIII of 17 January 2019).
2.7. Lawyer – a person who has legal knowledge in the field of legal sciences, legislation and its application in practice, and has obtained a full higher legal education within the meaning of the legislation. For the avoidance of doubt, a Lawyer under Ukrainian law is a person who has obtained a full higher legal education in the specialty ‘Law’ and/or ‘International Law’ within the meaning of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Higher Education’ No. 1556-VII of 27 December 2023.
2.8. Online chat is a feature provided on the platform for registered users to interact with registered lawyers to exchange text messages. It is used by users to obtain information, resolve issues or discuss a specific topic. In the context of legal definition, chat can be used by a lawyer to communicate with a user for the purpose of exchanging legal information and resolving legal issues.
2.9. The administrator of the PravoVsim platform is an authorised person or group of persons responsible for managing, controlling, moderating and ensuring the proper functioning of the PravoVsim digital legal aid platform.
2.9.1 Platform administrator functions:
• Ensuring stable platform operation, resolving technical issues.
• Administering user and lawyer access, managing their accounts.
• Monitoring compliance with platform usage rules by all participants.
• Responsible for ensuring that the platform complies with legal requirements, standards and internal regulations.
• Analysing and implementing compliance procedures, controlling the quality of legal assistance provided.
• Identifying and analysing possible violations by users and lawyers.
• Making decisions on blocking or deleting accounts in case of violations of the rules.
• Forwarding complaints to the appropriate complaints department for further processing.
• Verifying information posted on the platform, including articles, comments, and reviews.
• Deleting or editing content that violates the platform's rules.
• Providing advice on the use of the platform.
• Responding to requests and inquiries, providing technical assistance.
2.10. Platform Rules – all rules, conditions, disclaimers and warnings, including, but not limited to, (i) those provided for in these Terms and Conditions, (ii) those posted on the Platform by the Platform Administrator, and those that must be agreed to during authorisation on the Platform in order to obtain the status of a Registered User / Registered Lawyer status.
2.11. Request Form – a text that a Registered User fills out when registering for a consultation in order to receive a Consultation. This feature allows a Registered Lawyer to obtain the necessary information to provide legal assistance to a Registered User.
2.12. A third party providing free legal assistance on a digital platform is any organisation or specialist that provides free legal assistance to persons who need legal support but do not have the financial means to pay for a consultation or other legal services.
Such parties may include:
• non-governmental organisations;
• human rights organisations;
• charitable foundations;
• bar associations;
• volunteer lawyers;
• lawyers;
• government agencies that provide access to justice for civilians affected by armed conflict.
The main goal of third parties is to ensure equal access to justice for all, regardless of their financial status, promoting the protection of human rights and the implementation of the principle of the rule of law.
Rights and obligations
3.1. By using the services of the PravoVsim platform, the User confirms their agreement that they use the platform and its services at their own risk ‘as is’, assesses and bears all risks associated with receiving free assistance on the PravoVsim platform (contacting a lawyer via online chat, making an appointment for a consultation, providing a description of the request).
3.2. The Administrator is not responsible for the behaviour of Users and Lawyers. The Administrator of the PravoVsim platform, in the event of a violation or conflict on the part of either party (lawyer or user), has the right to initiate an investigation into the situation. The Administrator provides the complainant with contact details for the complaints department. In exceptional circumstances, the Administrator may request either party to provide access to communications. During the investigation, the Administrator has the right to request additional explanations or supporting materials from the parties to the conflict.
The results of the investigation may be used to make decisions regarding the further use of the platform by the relevant party. The Administrator reserves the right to apply sanctions, including temporary blocking, functional restrictions or permanent deletion of the account without the right to restore it, if a significant violation of the platform rules is established.
The administrator urges users to be cautious and use common sense when using the platform's services. Use of the platform implies that the user is aware of and accepts all risks and agrees that the administrator is not responsible for the actions or inaction of the user.
3.3. The User has the right to notify the Administrator of the fact of violation of his rights to use the services on the platform by the other party, the ‘lawyer’, using the ‘Contact Us’ function.
3.4. The PravoVsim platform Administrator encourages Users to refrain from providing personal data (including, but not limited to, identity documents, title documents, etc.) in ways not expressly provided for in the Platform Rules. Registered Lawyers are responsible for the processing of such personal data.
3.5. Comments, reviews and/or other statements, interactions between Registered Lawyers and/or representatives of the Platform Administrator and/or Registered Users must not contain forms of disrespect for individuals or public morality, profanity, or insults that disparage human honour and dignity.
3.6. Registered Users have the right to:
3.6.1. leave feedback about a Registered Lawyer and the Consultation provided by them, consisting of a comment and a rating on a five-point scale;
3.6.2. interact with the Platform via Online Chat, Video Calls, and the Information Portal, and receive legal and other reference information through it; and
3.6.3. leave comments under the information materials in the Information Portal section on the platform.
3.7. The administrator of the PravoVsim Platform has the right to:
1. delete comments, reviews or other statements made by Registered Users and/or Registered Lawyers that violate clause 4.6 of these Terms and Conditions;
2. block the access of a Registered User and/or Registered Lawyer to the Platform and its functions in case of systematic violation of clauses 3.5 and 3.13 of these Terms. A violation committed more than once is considered systematic.
3.8. Registered Users and/or Registered Lawyers have the right to report the detected fact using (i) the ‘Contact Us’ section or (ii) the telephone numbers posted on the Platform.
3.9. Lawyers who have violated the terms of use of the platform, the privacy policy, or who have been found to be dishonest with regard to the rules of use, are subject to immediate blocking. After conducting an investigation, the Administrator has the right to decide on the final deletion of their profile from the PravoVsim digital platform.
If the violation has caused harm to the user or created obstacles to access to legal assistance, the Administrator, with the consent of the affected user, may automatically offer to replace the lawyer with another specialist from the platform. This will ensure the continuity of legal services and the protection of users' rights.
These changes clarify the mechanisms for investigating conflicts, add flexibility in the application of sanctions, and include provisions for automatically redirecting users to a new lawyer in the event of a violation by the previous one.
Terms of liability
4.1. The Administrator cannot control the external communication of Registered Users/Registered Lawyers on the Platform if the communication was not carried out via Online Chat, video calls, or the ‘Contact Us’ request, i.e., via functionality that is not related to the functionality of the PravoVsim platform.
4.2. The Administrator cannot control internal communication through the electronic accounts of Registered Users / Registered Lawyers on the Platform, video calls, Online Chat or in any other way related to the functionality of the PravoVsim platform;
4.3. The PravoVsim platform administrator is not responsible to the Registered User for the quality, appropriateness, usefulness, and accuracy of the Consultation;
4.4. The administrator is not responsible for malfunctions in the Platform caused by technical failures in the user's equipment and software.
4.5. The PravoVsim platform administrator is responsible for the functioning of the Platform.
4.6. The PravoVsim Platform Administrator is not responsible for the storage and protection of personal data provided by Registered Users:
1. through an external electronic communication system with a Registered Lawyer (outside the PravoVsim platform);
2. through Online Chat; and
3. during Consultations via video link.
Platform functionality
5.1. The Platform provides the opportunity to provide Free Legal Aid to Registered Users and allows Registered Lawyers to receive Request Forms from Registered Users for further provision of Consultations by Registered Lawyers.
5.2. The Platform provides Registered Users with the opportunity to book Consultations in order to receive Free Legal Aid both by electronic means of communication and in the manner determined by the Registered User and the Registered Lawyer.
5.3. The Platform functions as a system for tracking Registered Users' request forms for Consultations to be provided by Registered Lawyers.
5.4. The Registered User sends a message to the relevant Registered Lawyer in the relevant country. The Registered Lawyer who receives the message processes it and contacts the Registered User in the manner specified in the Platform Rules.
5.5. Solely for the purpose of improving the functions and information content of the Platform, as well as maintaining reports and statistics on the functioning of the Platform, the Registered Lawyer fills out a form based on the results of the Consultation. In the fields of the form, the Registered Lawyer indicates the information that he considers sufficient for the purposes specified in this Article 8.12. In each case, the Registered Lawyer shall refrain from disclosing information that constitutes attorney-client privilege and other information, the disclosure of which may cause harm to Registered Users, Users, the Platform Administrator, the Owner and/or third parties.
5.6. After each consultation, the beneficiary automatically receives a questionnaire in which they can fill in information about the consultation received, if they wish. This questionnaire also contains questions regarding the lawyer's requirements for payment for services rendered and their compliance with all rules defined by DRC policies.
5.7. When a Registered Lawyer receives a Notification, in accordance with the Platform Rules, they process the Request Form and provide a response to the Registered User who sent it, by electronic means of communication or by other means specified by the Registered User and the Registered Lawyer.
Information for platform users
6.1. The Platform's ‘Questions and Answers’ section contains useful legal and other reference information, organised into categories and subcategories.
6.2. If Users cannot find an answer to their question in the ‘Questions and Answers’ section of the Platform, they have the right to (i) write in the Online Chat or (ii) register on the Platform to sign up for a Consultation with a Registered Lawyer.
6.3. The activities of the PravoVsim digital platform cover a wide range of legal issues arising in connection with the humanitarian response to the consequences of war. We strive to provide comprehensive legal assistance to civilians, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and other categories of persons affected by armed conflict, providing them with legal advice and support in resolving difficult life situations.
However, it is important to note that the lawyers represented on the PravoVsim platform do not deal with criminal cases and cases related to administrative offences, depending on exceptions, unless the lawyer can provide such legal assistance free of charge. Lawyers on the platform do not provide legal assistance to combatants – persons who are directly involved in combat operations or perform military duties in the conflict zone. We focus on supporting those who need legal protection due to the circumstances of war, but our work does not include protecting the rights of combatants or persons actively participating in military operations.
It is also worth emphasising that lawyers working on the PravoVsim platform have the right not to represent victims in court, i.e. they cannot directly act on behalf of clients during court proceedings or participate in court hearings. However, this does not limit their ability to provide valuable assistance in the preparation for court. Lawyers can help platform users with a comprehensive analysis of the case and the development of a defence strategy.
In particular, the platform's lawyers can prepare all the necessary procedural documents, such as statements of claim, motions, appeals, applications for the preservation of evidence, and other documents necessary for conducting a case in court. They can also develop a detailed case management plan that includes risk assessment, selection of the most effective legal tools, and possible options for resolving the dispute.
In addition, lawyers provide advice on case management procedures, explain procedural rights and obligations, and explain how to act at different stages of the trial. This helps users feel confident and well prepared to participate in the judicial process, even if they are representing themselves in court. Thus, although lawyers may not represent clients in court, their assistance during the preparation stage is extremely valuable and allows victims to effectively protect their rights and interests.
The PravoVsim platform works to facilitate the resolution of legal issues arising for war victims, with a particular focus on the social and humanitarian aspects of legal protection.
Authorisation on the platform
7.1. The User has the right to authorise themselves on the Platform and obtain the status of a Registered User.
7.2 To obtain the status of a Registered User, the User must fill out an electronic form to register a Registered User account on the Platform and provide the following information:
1. full name;
2. email address;
3. contact details (telephone number);
4. click the ‘Next Step’ button to activate the verification process
5. By clicking on the ‘Next Step’ button, the User gives their voluntary, full and unconditional consent to the Platform Terms of Use and to the processing of their personal data in accordance with the Platform Rules.
The platform administrator is authorised to process the personal data of Registered Lawyers to the following extent: full name, email address, contact telephone number, proof of a master's degree in law and/or a legal licence (e.g. link to the bar association/register of lawyers, certificate of entitlement to practise law, etc.), proof of experience, area of expertise from the proposed list of legal assistance that a Registered Lawyer can provide.
Request form
8.1. To receive a Consultation, a Registered User:
1. selects the category to which the question belongs in the ‘Find a Lawyer’ section. If the question does not belong to any of the categories, please contact us using the form;
2. after selecting the category of the question, select a Registered Lawyer from the list provided; and
3. after selecting a Registered Lawyer, select the time slot during which the Registered User wishes to conduct the Consultation.
4. The User provides additional information, in which they explain the essence of their request in text form, providing a brief description of the problem for which they need consultation.
8.2. After completing the steps described above, the Registered User can proceed to communicate and send a message via the Online Chat function to the Registered Lawyer, where they disclose the essence of their request with a detailed description of the problem or question that requires consultation. In this message, the user may include all necessary information and circumstances relating to their case to ensure that the lawyer has a proper understanding of the situation and can provide quality advice.
8.3. After the Registered User clicks ‘Send Message’, the message is sent through the Platform system to the Registered Lawyer.
8.4. The Platform system makes such a request available to the selected Registered Lawyer. The Registered Lawyer, who has confirmed the acceptance of the Request Form for processing, sends a response to the Registered User in the manner provided by the Platform functionality.
The Registered Lawyer prepares the response within a reasonable time.
8.5. If the Registered Lawyer has not confirmed acceptance of the Request Form for processing or the possibility of providing Consultations by the time of the consultation, the Registered User may contact them using the feedback form on the ‘Contacts’ page or the telephone numbers posted on the Platform.
Information for lawyers
9.1. To obtain the status of a Registered Lawyer, a lawyer must complete the registration process on the platform, including providing the necessary personal data and documents confirming their qualifications and right to provide legal services. Upon completion of this process, the lawyer sends a final verification request to the Platform Administrator, who verifies the information provided and compliance with all requirements for obtaining the status of a Registered Lawyer on the platform.
9.2. The Platform Administrator has the right to set its own requirements for the qualification, education, experience of the Lawyer, etc., in particular by sending them to such Lawyer after the latter has completed and sent the Lawyer's Electronic Request.
9.3. If the Lawyer does not meet the established requirements and criteria, the Platform Administrator has the right to refuse to authorise the Lawyer. Such refusal is given by sending a notification to the email address specified by the Lawyer in the Lawyer's Electronic Request.
9.4. By completing the authorisation process on the Platform, the Registered Lawyer gives their voluntary, full and unconditional consent to the provision of legal assistance on the Platform on a free basis in accordance with the Platform Rules.
9.5. Registered Lawyers are required to adhere to the basic values and guiding principles of the Platform, in particular, Registered Lawyers are required to:
• not disclose information that constitutes attorney-client privilege without the consent of the Registered User on the PravoVsim platform;
• recognise, protect and uphold fundamental human rights, as enshrined, in particular, in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1950 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights), including the right to equality in dignity and rights regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other beliefs, national or social origin, property, status or other circumstances;
• actively promote compliance with the principles, customs and norms of international law on refugees, forced migrants, displaced persons and asylum, international law, human rights and international humanitarian law;
• respect the dignity of each User, promote understanding, respect, compassion and tolerance, exercise caution and maintain confidentiality where necessary;
• show respect for the culture, customs and traditions of all peoples, take reasonable measures to prevent behaviour that is unacceptable in a particular culture; and
• under no circumstances allow any manifestations of sexual violence and/or exploitation.
9.6. If a violation of the conditions set forth in clauses 8.4-8.5 above is detected, the Platform Administrator has the right to restrict (depending on the nature of the violation - temporarily or permanently) the Registered Lawyer's access to the Platform.
9.7. Authorised Lawyers of organisations (law firms/bureaus, public organisations, etc.) also have the right to obtain the status of Registered Lawyers in accordance with the Platform Rules. Such organisations confirm that their Lawyers are authorised to provide legal advice in their jurisdiction. Such organisations bear the same responsibility for Consultations as Registered Lawyers from the Danish Refugee Council.
9.8. To obtain the status of a Registered Lawyer, a Lawyer must fill in all the mandatory information on the platform during registration:
1. full name;
2. email address;
3. provide the Lawyer's voluntary, full and unconditional consent to the processing of their personal data in accordance with the Platform Rules by clicking the ‘Register’ button.
4. contact telephone number;
5. proof of a master's degree in law and/or a legal licence (e.g. link to the bar association/register of lawyers, certificate of entitlement to practise law, etc.);
6. area of legal assistance that the Lawyer can provide from the proposed list;
7. information about work experience.
9.9. After verification and authorisation of the Lawyer, the latter's profile is posted on the Platform. The Lawyer receives access to their account in the system and further instructions from the Platform Administrator.
9.10. Authorisation on the Platform gives the Registered Lawyer the right to:
1. post their profile on the Platform and access their account;
2. post their own publications for free in the ‘Information Portal’ section of the Platform;
3. provide Consultations.
9.11. Before posting their own author's publication in the ‘Information Portal’ section, the Registered Lawyer agrees it with the Administrator of the Pravovsim Platform..
Actions of the platform administrator regarding the authorisation of lawyers
10.1. The Platform Administrator receives the completed Electronic Request from the Lawyer, checks it for compliance with the established requirements and criteria in accordance with the Platform Rules.
10.2. In order to verify the Lawyer, namely their level of qualification, experience, etc., the Platform Administrator sends the requirements and criteria according to which the verification is carried out to the Lawyer's email address, which they specified in the Lawyer's Electronic Request.
10.3. If the Platform Administrator establishes that the Lawyer meets the established requirements and criteria, the latter acquires the status of a Registered Lawyer.
Notifications
11.1. Registered Lawyers and Registered Users give their voluntary, full and unconditional consent to receive notifications from the Platform to the email address they have specified. Registered Lawyers will receive notifications about new Request Forms (Notifications), while Registered Users will receive notifications about the processing status of the submitted Request Form (Notifications).
11.2. Registered Lawyers and Registered Users also give their voluntary, full and unconditional consent to receive messages from the Platform Administrator at the email address they have specified, which are necessary for its effective use and further development.
Protection of personal data
12.1. Before logging in to the Platform and becoming a Registered User / Registered Lawyer, the User/Lawyer must familiarise themselves with the Platform Rules and, in particular, this clause 12 of the Terms, which contains all the necessary information regarding the processing and protection of personal data in accordance with the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Protection of Personal Data’ No. 2297-VI of 1 June 2010 (the ‘Law’).
12.2. By logging into the Platform and obtaining the status of a Registered User/Registered Lawyer, each such Registered User/Registered Lawyer:
1. gives their full, voluntary and unambiguous consent to the processing of their personal data by the Owner for the purpose of providing Consultations in accordance with the Platform Rules and the Law ‘On the Protection of Personal Data’;
2. confirms that they have been informed about the procedure and purpose, as well as other conditions for the processing of personal data in accordance with Articles 6, 8, 10, 11 of the Law ‘On the Protection of Personal Data’;
3. confirms that they have sufficient legal capacity and capacity under the laws of the country of residence of such Registered User / Registered Lawyer to give consent to the Platform Rules and consent to the processing of personal data under the terms set forth herein.
12.3. The platform administrator is authorised to process the personal data of Registered Users to the following extent: full name, email address and/or contact telephone number.
12.4. For the purpose of conducting Consultations, the Registered Lawyer will be provided with the email address and contact telephone number of the Registered User in order to communicate with them. The provision of other personal data depends on the decision of the Registered User. The scope of Registered Lawyers' powers regarding the personal data of Registered Users is proportional to the achievement of the purpose of processing such data.
12.5. For the purpose of conducting the Consultation, the Registered User will be provided with access to the Online Chat and video call functionality to communicate with the Registered Lawyer. The provision of other personal data of the Registered Lawyer to the Registered User depends on the decision of the Registered Lawyer. The platform administrator is not responsible for the storage and protection by the Registered User of the personal data of the Registered Lawyer provided by the Registered Lawyer directly to the Registered User.
12.6. The personal data of Registered Users/Registered Lawyers will be stored by the Platform Administrator only for the duration of the existence of the corresponding electronic office of the Registered User/account of the Registered Lawyer on the Platform.
12.7. After the storage period expires, the personal data of Registered Users/Registered Lawyers shall be deleted. For reporting and statistical purposes, the personal data of Registered Users/Registered Lawyers may be stored in anonymised form after the storage period expires.
12.8. Registered Users and Registered Lawyers have the following rights regarding personal data processed in accordance with the Platform Rules, in particular, this clause 12 of the Terms:
• to access;
• to receive, within 30 calendar days, a response as to whether their personal data is being processed, as well as to receive the content of such personal data;
• to rectification;
• to erasure of personal data;
• to object to the processing of personal data;
• to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority;
• to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data.
12.9. If you have any additional questions regarding the processing of personal data in accordance with the Platform Rules, Registered Users/Registered Lawyers may contact us using the contact details provided below:
Email: [email protected]
12.10. If you have any technical questions regarding the functioning of the Platform, Registered Users/Registered Lawyers may contact us using the contact details provided below:
Email: [email protected]
Intellectual property rights, use of materials
13.1. All non-property and property intellectual property rights to the design, layout and style of the Platform belong to the Platform Administrator and are protected in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine.
13.2 All non-property and property copyrights to the content of Consultations and materials published by Registered Lawyers on the Platform belong to the authors (Registered Lawyers) and are protected in accordance with Ukrainian law.
13.3 Responsibility for the content of Consultations and other Free Legal Aid provided within the Platform lies with the respective authors (Registered Lawyers).
13.4 Copying, quoting and further distribution of materials posted on the Platform is permitted only if a link to the Platform (the page containing the material at https://pravovsim.org/home) is placed immediately before or after the quoted material.
13.5 Photographic materials may only be used if the logo of the Danish Refugee Council in Ukraine is retained.
Other provisions
14.1. The evaluation of Registered Lawyers based on the results of the Consultations they provide is a subjective assessment by Registered Users, which may be clarified by the Platform Administrator by sending relevant emails to Registered Users.
14.2. Registered Users do not object to the Platform Administrator sending emails to the email address specified by them. If the Platform Administrator gets complaints from Registered Users about how well the Platform works, its info, whether Registered Lawyers follow the Platform Rules, etc., they can get in touch with Registered Users using the contact details in the request form to sort out these issues.