Briefly
Program description
The Energy Community Secretariat invites the international legal community to join the platform for pro bono legal support to Ukrainian public energy companies. The platform aims to recover damages inflicted upon Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure.
Key partners:
- NPC Ukrenergo;
- NPC Energoatom;
- PJSC Ukrhydroenergo.
The goal is to create a database of qualified service providers to help Ukrainian companies file claims against Russia in national courts and international arbitration. In addition to legal services, experts are invited to provide litigation-related communication.
Main Information
Eligibility
Natural persons and legal entities regardless of the form of organization (law firms or qualified independent lawyers/communication experts) may apply.
Financing
The program is based on providing services free of charge. No funds are disbursed; participants invest their time and professional expertise.
Supported Activities
- Filing claims in national courts based on universal jurisdiction.
- Representation in arbitration tribunals under the BIT between Ukraine and Russia.
- Litigation in Ukrainian courts.
- Strategic communication and international media relations regarding claims.
Roadmap
- Registration via online form.
- Creation of a service provider database.
- Identification of a potential mandate by the Secretariat.
- Contacting experts in the relevant field.
- Experts provide team description, CVs, and timeline within a short deadline.
- Decision by the Ukrainian counterpart.
- Signing an NDA and commencement of work.
How to Apply
Fill in the online application form on the platform page.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation is based on the relevance of expertise to the specific request, team qualifications, proposed steps, and timeline for service delivery.
Required Documents
Upon request for a specific mandate:
- CVs.
- Team description.
- Timeline and steps.
FAQ
Legal services will be provided on matters or in connection with energy-related claims against Russia that will be brought before national courts on the basis of universal jurisdiction, before an arbitration tribunal established under the bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and before Ukrainian courts.
Communication services will be provided to Ukrainian energy companies regarding energy-related claims against Russia. Depending on the request of the Ukrainian counterpart, these may include strategic communications consulting, international media communications, review of communications materials, etc.
- Each time a potential mandate is identified, the Secretariat will contact legal experts in the relevant field(s) of expertise and provide them with a description of the services required, as well as the expected qualifications and experience. Our intention is to design mandates in such a way that, in the absence of a satisfactory proposal for the entire mandate, law firms or independent lawyers may apply for part of it.
- Legal experts will be given a short reasonable period of time to confirm their availability and provide a brief description of their team, CVs, schedule, and steps they intend to take to provide the service. After consulting with the Secretariat, our Ukrainian colleagues will decide which proposal best meets their needs.
- Once a specific mandate has been assigned, the legal expert(s) will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Reporting and Compliance
Once a mandate has been assigned, legal experts will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
Legal Terms
Participation is voluntary. The Secretariat is not committed to accepting services. Assignment of a mandate requires signing an NDA. The process may involve joint work of several providers under Secretariat supervision.