Since March 3, 2025, citizens once again have the opportunity to receive free legal advice on everyday issues that trouble them. Thanks to the initiative of the Faculty of Law of the University of Zagreb, the Administrative Compass project provides citizens with support in navigating the complex system of public administration. It is a unique platform in Croatia that offers students practical training and provides citizens with legal assistance completely free of charge.

Free legal advice for everyday situations

Neighbor noise, illegal parking, reporting of communal problems or understanding of tax obligations – these are all situations in which citizens often do not know whom to turn to. The Administrative Compass alleviates precisely such legal dilemmas, guiding citizens towards the competent institutions and providing them with concrete answers about the procedures they need to follow.

This project has been making it easier for citizens to navigate bureaucracy for the third consecutive year, while offering students the opportunity for practical experience. Experts from the Faculty of Law emphasize that the key goal is to bring public administration closer to citizens and to facilitate their understanding of their rights and obligations.

How does the Administrative Compass work?

The Administrative Compass operates within the Faculty of Law of the University of Zagreb and brings together more than 50 students who, through practical training, assist citizens in resolving legal issues related to local administration and public services. Each inquiry is processed under the supervision of mentors – professors from the Faculty of Law, who ensure the legal accuracy of the advice.

Students provide answers to questions such as:

• Who should one contact if a neighbor regularly disrupts public order and peace?


• Which bodies are responsible for resolving issues with communal waste?


• Which documents need to be submitted when filing taxes?


• How to initiate the process of obtaining social rights?


• Where can infrastructural problems, such as damaged roads or lack of public lighting, be reported?

Increased demand for legal advice

In recent years, it has been shown that citizens have a great interest in this form of legal support. The most common questions concern administrative procedures, communication with public institutions, reporting of communal problems, and the realization of rights within the social system. Experts note that it is especially important to educate citizens about their rights, as it often happens that they forgo exercising their legal possibilities due to unclear bureaucratic procedures.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law emphasizes that the project is not only useful for citizens, but also for future lawyers who, in this way, develop research skills and legal argumentation. The experience of working with citizens enables them to understand concrete problems in society and prepares them for challenges in legal practice.

Public administration through the eyes of citizens

Public administration is often perceived as a complex and unclear system, which leads to uncertainty and frustration among citizens. That is exactly why the Administrative Compass was designed to provide clear and simple guidelines on procedures related to the exercise of rights before state and local institutions.

The project manager emphasizes that this form of legal assistance creates a bridge between citizens and institutions, thereby increasing transparency and trust in the public system. Special emphasis is placed on elderly citizens and those who are not accustomed to digital tools, as they are most often in need of legal advice, but their access to information is hindered.

Further development and expansion of the project

In addition to advising citizens, the Administrative Compass collaborates with public administration bodies and organizations to improve the transparency and efficiency of administrative procedures. Trainings, workshops, and lectures on topics of public interest are also organized.

The project is continuously developing, and there are plans to extend services to other parts of Croatia. Additionally, new digital tools are being prepared that will enable easier submission of inquiries and faster access to information.

Citizens who need legal advice can contact the Administrative Compass via email or in person at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb. More information is available through the official channels of the project.