· There is considerable evidence that Ukraine citizens are prepared to assert
rights and claims against the state. Demand for USAID supported legal
counseling is high, written complaints to the President, the Ombudsman, and
other visible points of access are overwhelming.
· There is also considerable evidence to suggest that citizens do not know how,
nor does the state make it easy, to access government for the satisfaction of
claims and problems.
· Akin to the role of public health and preventive medicine, the Government
needs to do all it can to constrict the “corruption industry”, by consolidating
the regulatory regime, clarifying and simplifying the interface with citizens,
and the processes by which citizens do business with government.
· This principle can be applied to various aspects of the judiciary, beginning
with the notaries, continuing through the criminal, civil, and administrative
justice, and including the way citizens are served by court administrative
personnel.
· Preventive measures will not eliminate wrongdoing and litigation. In areas of
civil, administrative and criminal law, citizens will need a system of access to
professional assistance in pursing their defense, or their claims, whether
against the state or other persons, legal or otherwise. Legal advice is needed
on two broad fronts: