As I return to Ukraine in my role as a field manager for an international organization, I've taken the opportunity to update myself on the rapidly changing legal landscape. I'm excited to share my online humanitarian legal advisor—a free resource designed to assist both local and international humanitarian NGOs in navigating the legal framework. https://baena.ai/demos/paralegal-advisor

Legal consultation fees are typically an expected indirect cost for NGOs operating in emergencies (since agencies must adhere to local laws, and are committed to promote the rule of law). This tool could helps optimize those expenses. It acts as a friendly, non-judgmental assistant, equipped with an extensive, regularly updated database of legislation.

Please note, this advisor is not a substitute for professional legal counsel. Instead, it provides preliminary guidance on everyday legal issues, helping you decide whether to seek further consultation and how to better frame your legal inquiries.

Evolving Legal Framework

The core law governing humanitarian aid dates back to 1999 and has been amended and rephrased numerous times since February 2022 to reflect current conditions. In addition to this specific legislation, there is a broad range of laws applicable to general economic activities—such as labor, auditing, and import regulations—as well as sector-specific laws like those governing medical services. Many of these have been particularly affected by the imposition of martial law.

Technologies used

More technical details can be consulted here: https://github.com/Jesus-Baena/chatbot-ukr-law

  • Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Marked.js for Markdown parsing
  • Backend: n8n for workflow automation
  • AI Models: OpenAI Chat Model & Google Gemini Chat Model
  • External APIs: SerpAPI, Llama Cloud Parser, DeepL
  • Databases: Postgres (for chat memory) and Supabase (for vector store)
  • Integrations: Google Drive (document triggers) and Google Sheets (data export)

I will be releasing the technical details on how the knowledge base was built.

Use Cases

Based on current trends, I foresee the following topics being especially relevant. So those

  • NGO registration and legal status
  • Conscription issues
  • Import regulations
  • Implications of martial law

Ranking Legislation

Not all legal texts hold equal significance for humanitarian operations. Some are merely formalities or overly specific details. Therefore, it's crucial to rank each piece of legislation based on metadata extracted from the legal texts, ensuring that NGOs can prioritize the most impactful information.

This online legal advisor aims to streamline the process of understanding and complying with a complex legal environment, ultimately saving time and resources for humanitarian organizations.