Dispute Resolution: Ukraine

This disputes team ranks among the largest in the market and has the capacity to specialise in fields such as international energy, natural resources, construction and TMT. It covers a range of matters from white-collar litigation to arbitration at the highest international courts, prompting one client to remark: “They would be my first choice for a major international arbitration.” The team delivers results by providing “the high-quality service of an international firm – working with them feels like a partnership,” sources say. It has a wealth of experience in cases involving the Ukrainian state. Recent highlights include acting alongside White & Case for a Ukrainian nuclear energy company in arbitration proceedings in Stockholm. Serhii Sviriba is widely considered a leader in arbitration. Talented litigator Olexiy Reznikov is a household name in Ukrainian public life and business.

This 20-lawyer litigation team has earned its market position on the back of its history as one of the longest-serving disputes groups in the market. It is housed within a large, full-service firm and as a consequence handles a wide spectrum of cases. The firm is best known as a leader in the domestic litigation market, although its client roster also includes international corporations such as Vanco Prykerchenska, which it is representing against the Ukrainian Ministry for the Environment. The recession has prompted a number of insolvent companies to seek counsel, and the team also represented the chemicals manufacturer DuPont in disputes against defaulting debtors in Ukraine. Acting for the same company, the firm demonstrated its IP expertise in litigations over patents and unfair competition. Lecturing and publishing widely, Vadym Belyanevych is also a “practical litigator and a real strategist,” say peers. Department head Oleksiy Filatov is building a strong reputation in Ukraine for being “sharp and quick in court.” Managing partner, Oleg Makarov continues to win praise as a determined and decisive  litigator.

This highly regarded outfit has vast experience working with the Ministry of Justice. Commentators unanimously acclaim it for its long and markedly successful representation of the Ukrainian state in international litigation and arbitration proceedings. The firm is a valuable ally in a wide array of commercial and IP disputes, and it has lately handled a number of ICSID arbitrations and bilateral investment treaty cases. Sources recommend Sergei Voitovich as a “talented international litigator and arbitrator.”

Standards at this firm are high, agree clients: “The team gives valuable advice in complicated cases on the basis of its great experience in litigation.” Its service is attentive and the courtroom style assertive, they say. The lawyers litigate in the Ukrainian courts and also offer solid arbitration expertise. “They meet the international standards we look for,” one client remarked. The team handled heavy-hitting bankruptcy and restructuring disputes such as representing the military shipyard FSC More in conflicts over a USD50 million debt. It is also a useful ally in disputes involving the authorities. Recent examples include acting for a hydroelectric power plant against the Ministry of Fuel & Energy in a case about plant ownership, and representing Antonov Design Bureau in a USD200 million dispute with the country’s tax office. Practice head Roman Marchenko is an increasingly prominent figure in the market. “He is a very quick and sophisticated litigator,” say clients. Mikhail Ilyashev’s commercially astute and client-oriented nature also does the team much credit.

This large firm has a long tradition in litigation, operating predominantly on the domestic stage. Its leading litigator Nataliya Kuznetsova earns credit for her role in building the well-reputed practice. As a professor at the Kyiv law faculty she has mentored many of the prominent names in the business and also acts as an adviser to state bodies on legislative matters. The team has many years' experience in leading cases in the Supreme Court of Ukraine and representing Ukrainian clients in European courts. It capably acts in both litigation and arbitration and wins favour with clients for its thoughtful handling of each case. 

This outfit was created in 2008, when two firms with a long history in litigation joined forces. The merger is widely accepted as a success, thanks to an increasing market profile and a spate of courtroom victories. It brought together a varied spread of legal and commercial areas, with emphasis on IP, reinsurance, tax and maritime disputes. Sergii Koziakov is an accomplished litigator and academic. He also holds a seat on a number of the country’s administrative boards.

Clients appreciate the personalised service at this boutique, as well as the quality on show in litigation: “We appreciate their attention to detail and awareness of both Ukrainian and international legislation.” Alongside the vibrant finance practice, litigation and arbitration form the cornerstone of the firm. The office is proficient in both domestic and cross-border cases, serving major clients such as Nokia. Headline cases include acting to protect Cadogan Petroleum’s subsoil licences. Managing partner Andriy Kravets is the principal contact for the team.

Arzinger continues to attract German clients, thanks to its language skills and cross-border experience. It draws on its capacity in a range of commercial legal areas such as real estate, TMT, tax, corporate and competition, to provide a varied and well-informed litigation service. The team of 15 impresses sources with its “complete dedication to the client.” Standout cases include acting for Puma Ukraine in a dispute over lost profit with LP Globus and acting for the Goethe Institute in a conflict with the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Litigator Sergiy Shklyar earns recognition for his “exceptional talent for strategic planning and project management.”

This elite corporate player has expanded its litigation practice to advise clients in corporate or tax disputes. Telenor is one such example, having engaged the firm on litigation and international arbitration matters in a five-year dispute with Alfa Group. Clients appreciate the expanded service in litigation and vouch for the high standards that the two-partner team upholds across the board. Highlights include defending Coca-Cola on a branding case. Oleksiy Didkovskiy is the main contact.

This seven-strong team is a long-established player in the Kyiv market. It handles a broad array of disciplines and industry areas, with real estate, tax, banking and shipping featuring often of late. It represented the steel giant ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in a trading dispute with Zaporizhya Ferroalloy Plant. Lead partner Svitlana Romanova receives universal praise for her work in and out of court: “She always has a clear view of the negotiation and of the court strategy.”

This newcomer to the market is already winning abundant praise for its disputes work and commentators expect to see greater things still from the firm. The team consists of a number of ex-Asters litigators under the leadership of Irina Nazarova, whose assertive courtroom style and impressive case management invite peer admiration. Recent mandates have covered both industrial and media sectors, with the team acting for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in a case against a Russian media company. 

Founded in 1999, this Kyiv boutique is gaining market recognition and inviting numerous peer endorsements for its robust litigation practice. It provides sound advisory and contentious counsel on a range of matters, including  corporate, tax, real estate, investment and competition law. The key contact is Alexander Minin.

Paritet enters the tables on the back of universal praise for the firm’s client-friendly service: “The lawyers are responsive and experts in their field.” Much of the firm’s IP work coincides with that of the disputes team, such as successfully defending GALA Radio Broadcasting in a copyright protection matter. Other highlights include acting for the gas company ITERA International Energy in a case about collecting insolvent receivables. Igor Kyrylyuk leads the practice.