A new stage of lobbying: UNLA recommends a model contract for lobbying services

An important step towards establishing transparent and uniform rules for establishing mechanisms of interaction with the authorities is signing a Lobbying Services Agreement. The Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association recommends that the professional community use a sample lobbying services agreement developed by legal experts in accordance with the latest legislation.

The text of the standard lobbying services agreement is available here.

Legal framework and new standards

The development of the model document was a direct response to the entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying”. This law clearly defines the legal framework for lobbyists’ activities.

“It is important that lobbying, as a step towards establishing a transparent dialog with the state, is based on clear, uniform and understandable provisions for all. That is why we set ourselves the primary task of developing a sample agreement that would lay the foundations, serve as a guide for lawyers who decide to become lobbyists, and regulate the issue of legitimate influence on lawmakers or initiatives,” says Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association.

European and ethical requirements

The model agreement is based not only on the national law, but also on European legislation, which ensures that Ukrainian practices are in line with the best international practices, in particular:

• The Rules of Ethical Conduct for Lobbying Entities, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (No. 1128 of October 1, 2024).
• European standards of integrity (in particular, the Council of Europe’s recommendation No. R(2017)2 dated 22.03.2017).

A standard lobbying services agreement regulates in detail the relations between the client, the beneficiary and the lobbying entity. The main transaction is lobbying on behalf of the client in the commercial interests of the beneficiary.

The document is detailed:

• Subject of activity: Clearly define the services provided.
• Rights and obligations of the parties: Detailing the specific actions of the lobbyist.
• Payment for services: Transparent settlement of financial issues.
• Conflict of interest: Mechanisms for prevention and settlement.

The agreement also separately takes into account the differences in the exercise of professional activities (legal aid) and lobbying activities, detailing the issues that arise when influencing lawmakers.

The document was drafted by Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Lobbyists Association and Chairman of the UNBA Lobbying Committee, and well-known lawyers Iryna Shapovalova, Bohdan Horban, Valentyna Tiutiunnyk, Mykhailo Kumanovskyi, Denys Keshkentiy, Yulia Kopiyko, Yaroslav Kuts, Oleksandr Leshchenko, Kyrylo Fedorchuk, and Olena Hadzhuk.