The principle of a state-centered, systematic approach to lawmaking should become the fundamental standard for professional lobbying — Oleksiy Shevchuk

Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, outlined the key principles for developing professional lobbying in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a systematic approach to lawmaking, raising professional standards, and a clear understanding of the lobbyist’s role in public administration.

Education and Competence as a Prerequisite

According to Oleksiy Shevchuk, the principle of a state-centered, systematic approach to lawmaking is a fundamental tenet of a professional lobbyist’s work. He emphasized that effective work in the field of influencing legislative processes requires not only practical skills but also in-depth theoretical knowledge.

At the same time, in his view, current legislation contains a conceptual gap, as it effectively allows individuals without a college degree to engage in lobbying activities. According to the chairman of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, this approach does not reflect the complexity of this profession.

“A person who works with regulatory acts and influences the formation of public policy must have a knowledge of constitutional law, understand the hierarchy of regulatory acts, the jurisdiction of government bodies, and the limits of permissible regulatory influence,” he emphasized.

Lobbying as a Business Activity

Oleksiy Shevchuk paid particular attention to defining lobbying as a professional business activity. According to him, this approach has already been discussed with the State Tax Service of Ukraine and is gradually taking shape within the professional community itself.

He emphasized that the head of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association provides a professional service, acts in the client’s best interests, receives compensation, and bears both professional and reputational responsibility, while acting strictly within the bounds of the law.

Lobbying as a process, not an action

Another important aspect is understanding lobbying as a sequential process consisting of a series of interrelated stages. These include identifying the issue, analyzing existing regulations, drafting regulatory proposals, assessing their impact, communicating with policymakers, and overseeing the relevant procedures.

In this context, UNLA has already developed roadmaps for how lobbyists should interact with both members of the Ukrainian Parliament and members of local councils.

Basic Principle: A Systematic Approach to Lawmaking

According to Oleksiy Shevchuk, the key is to understand the principles underlying a lobbyist’s professional activities. He suggests that one of the fundamental principles is the state-centered, systematic approach to lawmaking.

The essence of this principle is that any regulatory act should be viewed as part of the state’s unified legal system, rather than as an isolated decision.

“Such an act cannot violate the constitutional order, exceed the authority of government bodies, undermine the hierarchy of normative acts, or create systemic conflicts,” he noted.

Balancing the Interests of the Client and the State

The head of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association emphasized that a professional lobbyist does not limit himself to promoting the client’s interests. His task is to ensure that legitimate interests are achieved without harming the state’s legal system.

In cases where lobbying results in regulations that contradict laws of higher legal force or destabilize the system of governance, such activities cannot be considered professional.

“This is already a case of regulatory disintegration, which contradicts the very logic of lawmaking,” emphasized Oleksiy Shevchuk.

The Formula for Professional Lobbying

In conclusion, he outlined the basic formula for professional lobbying:

• client’s interest → professional analysis → Constitution → legal system → lawmaking process → impact assessment → regulatory decision.

According to him, none of these elements can be excluded.

The Need for Professional Standards

Oleksiy Shevchuk emphasized that a professional standard for lobbyists should define not only the tools of the trade, but also requirements regarding education, competence, legal literacy, and ethics.

“A professional lobbyist is not someone who is capable of securing the passage of a desired piece of legislation. It is someone who advances the client’s legitimate interests without undermining the legal framework of the state,” he concluded.