The GR Committee of the Ukrainian Bar Association, in partnership with Yuridicheskaya Gazeta and Pragma Consulting Group, has presented the results of a survey examining business interaction with public authorities and the development of GR services within law and consulting firms. The research was conducted from January 22 to February 14, 2025, and included responses from 63 participants: 71% were representatives of law firms, and 29% represented the business sector.

Growing Demand, Evolving Structure

One of the key findings of the study is the growing demand for GR services, both from clients and within legal firms themselves. Half of the respondents from the legal sector noted a general increase in market interest in GR, while 65% confirmed that demand for such services had grown within their own firms. This indicates a gradual institutionalisation of GR within the legal profession and a shift in how law firms approach public sector engagement.

GR Practice Development in Law Firms

The majority of responding legal firms were small practices with up to 15 employees, which is consistent with the market structure. Regardless of firm size, 81% of respondents recognised GR as an important function for both internal operations and client services. This helps explain why half of the surveyed firms have already established a dedicated GR practice, and another 35% are planning to do so. This points to a stable trend towards the structural integration of GR as a distinct function within legal businesses.

In most firms, GR services are delivered either by partners and heads of practice areas (48%) or by dedicated GR professionals (31%). In smaller teams, other legal practitioners with expertise in related fields are often involved (22%).

GR in Business: Internal Focus and Outsourcing Hesitation

Unlike legal firms, businesses are far less likely to engage external consultants—77% of companies reported not using outsourced GR services. This may reflect a desire to retain control over government engagement, budgetary limitations, or a lack of trust in outsourcing in this sensitive area. At the same time, 69% of business respondents stated that GR responsibilities are assigned to a dedicated manager or department head, with 50% indicating that these teams typically comprise 2 to 5 individuals.

Engagement with Government During Wartime: Active but Uncoordinated

All business respondents and 88% of law firms reported active engagement with public authorities following the onset of the full-scale invasion. In the legal sector, this interaction was most often related to navigating martial law challenges and contributing to the development of both pre-existing and wartime-initiated reforms. Businesses demonstrated similar patterns, primarily responding to practical and regulatory issues.

However, 68% of legal professionals and 57% of business representatives believe that government decisions could have been more effective with stronger and more systematic cooperation. Among the most effective formats for engagement, respondents cited participation in professional associations, expert working groups, and the legislative drafting process.

The Draft Law on Lobbying: Potential and Concerns

The anticipated adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Lobbying" has served as a catalyst for new GR strategies. Reactions to the legislation vary significantly: while the legal community's assessments are mostly cautiously positive (with 37% viewing the law as balanced), the business sector remains largely sceptical (two-thirds of business respondents view the regulation as excessive). These concerns are coupled with fears of shadow lobbying practices and difficulties in practical enforcement.

“The study shows a growing demand for GR services, particularly in the context of building internal GR teams. However, the effectiveness of engagement with government—especially under wartime conditions—still requires improvement. While there is some optimism about the adoption of the Law ‘On Lobbying,’ expectations are tempered by concerns over whether all actors will comply and by the discomfort associated with new regulatory requirements. The real impact and perception of the law will largely depend on how transparently and objectively it is enforced—both in its initial implementation and amid ongoing political change,” said Alona Shulyma, Ph.D., Partner at Pragma Consulting Group and Chair of the GR Committee of the Ukrainian Bar Association.