Dispute Resolution in Ukraine
Litigation, arbitration and the enforcement of awards and judgments — recovering what you are owed in Ukraine, from first demand to transferred funds.
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Almost every Ukraine-related dispute comes down to one question: where are the debtor's assets, and can you reach them before they move? Everything we do — litigation, arbitration, enforcement — is organised around answering it.
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Why disputes involving Ukraine are different
Currency controls
Wartime currency restrictions — NBU Board Resolution No. 18 of 24 February 2022 — limit how money leaves Ukraine. They shape how debtors hold assets and how recovered funds are repatriated, so we factor them in from day one rather than discovering them at the enforcement stage.
A court system that kept operating
Ukrainian commercial courts have worked through the war — remote hearings, e-filing via the Electronic Court system. Delays exist; paralysis does not.
Asset structures that need local knowledge
Debtors hold assets through structures invisible from abroad — nominee holdings, receivables, land-lease rights. Effective enforcement means knowing where to look and moving before the assets do.
How we start
- Conflict checkSame day.
- Preliminary assessmentWe review your contract, the dispute, and the debtor's asset position. 24–48 hours.
- Strategy callYou speak directly with the partner who will handle your matter — not a business development team.
Common questions
Can a foreign company bring a claim before Ukrainian courts?
Foreign companies litigate in Ukrainian commercial courts on the same footing as domestic ones. The practical hurdles are language — pleadings must be in Ukrainian, foreign-language evidence needs certified translation — and proper legalisation of corporate documents.
Can foreign arbitral awards be enforced in Ukraine?
Under the 1958 New York Convention — routinely. The application goes to the Kyiv Court of Appeal, which acts as the single first-instance venue; recognition typically takes two to six months, longer if the debtor resists.
Can foreign court judgments be enforced in Ukraine?
That depends on where the judgment comes from: enforcement rests either on a bilateral treaty with that country or on the principle of reciprocity. We assess which basis applies — and its prospects — before anything is filed.
How quickly can assets be frozen in Ukraine?
Ukrainian courts can freeze assets before a claim or recognition application is even filed. In urgent cases we act the same day instructions arrive.
Do I need to come to Ukraine for the proceedings?
No — a power of attorney covers every stage, including hearings.
Is the Ukrainian judicial system functioning during the war?
It has operated continuously since February 2022, with remote hearings and electronic filing. Some regions and case types move slower; commercial disputes in Kyiv proceed close to normal timetables.
Can disputes involving Ukrainian companies be resolved through international arbitration?
Ukrainian companies routinely agree to ICC, SCC, LCIA, VIAC or ICAC clauses. We advise on which institution fits the contract and represent parties in the proceedings.
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