Ante Law Firm boasts the most diverse aviation law practice in Ukraine and represents a roster of high-profile aviation clients. The firm has the reputation of being the go-to firm for major airlines for their operations within the country. During the research period the firm advised Air Baltic on the aircraft operator’s certification procedure in Ukraine and airspace opening in the context of martial law, as well as on double taxation avoidance for air ticket sales in Ukraine; advised Bees Airline on an aircraft parts sales agreement and customs rules, and on the possible bankruptcy procedure for an airline; assisted Air France – KLM on issues related to staff and office freeze until airspace in Ukraine is re-opened. It is notable that the firm represents Lufthansa Technik Landing Gear Services UK Limited as a creditor in the bankruptcy procedure of Ukrainian International Airlines. Andriy Guck, widely recognized for his unparalleled expertise in aviation law, stands out as the prominent practitioner in the sector. Maria Tereshchenko is another key figure, bringing strong experience in passenger claims litigation and aviation regulatory matters.

Ilyashev & Partners holds a strong position in the aviation and defense sectors, representing aircraft manufacturers and repairers, airlines, and airports in high-profile disputes and complex regulatory matters. The firm is recognized for handling cases involving competition protection, aircraft safety, and international sanctions. During the reporting period, the firm was enlisted to manage insurance claims arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In particular, the firm continues acting for XL Insurance Company SE (UK), part of AXA Group, on Ukrainian law in two English court litigations initiated by Wind Rose Aviation Company (Ukraine) and Overstar S.R.L. (Republic of San Marino) regarding the recovery of insurance indemnity following the grounding of Wind Rose’s aircraft due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace. Other representative cases include advising Liberty Mutual Insurance Group in the course of consideration of a claim filed by AIR URGA airline against Liberty Insurance, a war risk insurer, for insurance compensation. The team represents Czech Airlines Technics a. s., a state-owned Czech aircraft repair company, in drafting and filing a statement of creditors’ claims in course of the bankruptcy of PJSC Ukraine International Airlines. Senior partner, Roman Marchenko, head of the aviation practice, represents interests in international arbitrations and acts as an independent expert on Ukrainian law in foreign courts. Over the past year, the firm’s Odesa office was actively engaged in high-stake maritime disputes involving vessel arrests, environmental incidents, and crew compensation claims. The firm has successfully represented shipowners, insurers, and shipping companies in Ukrainian courts and advised clients in cross-border matters, achieving favorable outcomes in cases related to wartime ship losses, pollution liability, and crew injuries. Among the team’s recent projects is representing investment fund NRP Norway, the mortgagee of the cargo vessel “VYSSOS”, in securing compensation from the Government of Ukraine, following the vessel’s sinking by a naval mine in Ukrainian territorial waters in December 2023. In addition, the firm represented the shipping company Ocean Palm Corp. and secured the release of the vessel “GRIFFIN T”, arrested over a USD 2 million environmental damage claim, by arranging a bank guarantee and persuading Ukrainian courts to lift the arrest. The firm has a busy pipeline of maritime injury claims, and secured settlements in multiple international insurance disputes. Sergey Nedelko, head of the Odesa office, is consistently recognized as one of Ukraine’s leading experts in maritime law.

Asters has long maintained a strong client base in the aviation sector, representing Ukrainian and international cargo and passenger airlines, aviation insurers, and aircraft leasing companies, with a notable recent expansion into the aerospace and defense industries.
The firm is regularly engaged for transactions, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution in the aviation sector, with recent work focusing on reimbursement claims and insurance issues. The team advises a leading provider of aircraft insurance and risk management solutions for the aviation and aerospace industries, in a matter connected with reimbursement of reinsurance indemnity in respect of certain companies, whose aircraft fleet remained on the territory of Ukraine from the start of Russia’s full-scale military invasion. The firm also advised on the imposition of martial law, the blockade of Ukrainian ports, and the safety of merchant vessels at sea. The firm’s aviation transportation projects are led by partners Gleb Bialyi, Oleksiy Demyanenko, and Vadym Samoilenko.

INTEGRITES continued advising clients from the transport and logistics industry on a range of specific regulatory matters, being actively involved in advising on restrictions and cases occurring within the aviation sector due to imposition of martial law in Ukraine. The firm demonstrates active involvement in guiding on aviation finance and insurance, continuing to represent an aviation leasing company in the bankruptcy proceedings of Ukrainian airlines and acting in an ongoing dispute over insurance indemnity for aircraft grounded at Boryspil International Airport following the closure of Ukrainian airspace due to Russia’s invasion. Partners Serhii Uvarov, Dmytro Marchukov and Oleksandr Onishchenko lead the cases.

Kinstellar offers expertise in aviation regulations and leasing international arbitration, litigation, and enforcement, advising regular carriage operators, leasing companies, and possesses a distinguished roster of aerospace and defense clients. The team represents Wizz Air in Ukrainian litigation on consumer protection and passenger compensation. Insurance claims are another part of its recent workload. Notably, the firm is retained to advise on drone regulations, dealing with obtaining permits and authorization. Focused on her work in the defense sector, partner Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova was deeply involved in various high-profile projects within the aviation sector, particularly in areas related to drone regulation. Olexander Martinenko, head of the firm-wide dispute resolution services, leads complex disputes related to the interplay between Ukrainian and international aviation law.

ECOVIS Bondar & Bondar Law Bureau* is acknowledged for its work in aviation-related matters and advising air handling companies, with Oleg Bondar and Oleksandr Povar actively involved in providing aviation law expertise.

Anna Sisetska, partner at Vasil Kisil & Partners*, is noted for her expertise is aviation leasing and insurance matters.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang* was mentioned for its involvement in projects related to aviation finance and leasing, insurance matters.[1]

The research highlights the active involvement of international law firms — particularly Clyde & Co, Clifford Chance, and Harper Meyer — in advising on Ukraine-related aviation matters.

The reputable ANK Law Office, which is based in Odesa, maintains its strong position among leading legal advisors in maritime law and port infrastructure, consistently assisting shipowners, ship managers, crewing companies, shipping agents, tug operators, P&I Clubs, and insurers. In 2024, the team demonstrated strong performance across a wide range of complex matters, particularly involving P&I claims, vessel arrests, and maritime finance. The dedicated team successfully advised vessel owners and P&I Clubs on multiple loss-of-life compensation cases for Ukrainian seafarers; acted for European banks in operational financing deals, registering mortgages over vessels and pleasure yachts. In addition, the team represented shipowners in vessel arrest proceedings. For example, the firm represented the owners of m/v “TANKER BEE 10” in a cargo damage dispute involving a vessel arrest at Reni Sea Port, securing an amicable settlement, and successfully defended the owners of m/v “BRAVE HEART” against an attempted arrest of a vessel in Chornomorsk Sea Port. Artem Volkov, head of the maritime law practice, brings years of dedicated experience to maritime law, while Kostiantyn Moriakov is a key contributor actively involved in major cases. The firm’s founder, Oleksandr Kyfak, is recognized for his deep expertise and leadership in building ANK’s strong reputation.

Ukrainian law firm Interlegal, based in Odesa with offices across the Black Sea Region, specializes in shipping and maritime law, offering legal services to a diverse international clientele. The firm has the largest market capacities and is recognized for advising world-leading shipowners on Ukrainian law, handling vessel transactions, and managing a wide range of disputes including debt recovery, cargo damage claims, demurrage charges, and ship arrests. The maritime practice team is skilled in managing general average settlements, executing agreements on the assignment of rights under English law, and providing full support in insurance claims for vessel loss, wreckage lifting, and cargo salvage. In 2024, the firm provided advice on missile strikes incidents, fire risks and insurance-related consequences for charterers and sellers. It handles complex disputes related to transportation services, such as lawsuits for non-payment and cargo loss, as well as handling incidents involving vessel blockages, most recently the refusal of cargo reception in Egypt and issues with the unloading of sugar in Libya. The team also provides critical legal support in cases like the sinking of the vessel and its salvage, the blocking of vessels before the Suez Canal passage, and handling non-payment issues by time charterers and voyage charterers. The firm’s expertise extends to analyzing natural phenomena incidents, such as incident with vessel in storm in Croatia, and applying provisions under the Nairobi Convention where applicable. Karyna Gorova, partner, is head of the firm’s transportation and maritime law practice. The executive team includes Taras Dragan and Nikita Kocherba. The firm’s partners renowned in the maritime industry — Arthur Nitsevych and Nikolay Melnykov (currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine) — play key roles in business development and managerial functions.

Traditionally focused on maritime and shipping matters, AGA Partners is a popular legal counsel for including representation at London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) proceedings, dealing with high-profile cases. The maritime and shipping practice secured a number of notable victories in 2024, and represented clients in multiple high-stakes London arbitrations and vessel arrest proceedings. Key wins included damages recovery in FOB contract disputes amid Black Sea hostilities, the arrest and release of vessels, and defending claims related to cargo quality and charterparty liabilities. The team successfully secured the release of over 3,000 MT of barley from the arrested vessel M/V USKO MFU in Reni; secured compensation for a Ukrainian commodities trader Orexim Trading LLC after a time-chartered tankship delivered spoiled diesel fuel, uncovering vessel equipment failures and crew violations, leading to the vessel’s arrest and a favorable settlement with the head owners. The practice, led by partners Ivan Kasynyuk and Iryna Moroz, and supported by a strong team of senior associates and associates, has further solidified its remarkable reputation as a leader in complex maritime disputes. Pavlo Lebediev, who was promoted to counsel, is an important figure in the firm.

Gramatskiy & Partners advised Ukrainian and international exporters, importers, and carriers on complex trade and logistics projects involving the transportation of goods by sea, inland waterways, and road networks. In 2024, the firm provided high-level legal support to Trunkoff Technologies across air and maritime sectors, advising on complex regulatory and contractual matters, including cross-border drone compliance aligned with EASA and ICAO standards, and innovative blockchain-based shipping agreements involving multiple jurisdictions; advised MGT Black Sea on maritime high-stakes dispute resolution, charter contract structuring, and ship arrest proceedings in Turkey; represented Livoberizhzhia Plus LLC in a cross-border project involving the leasing of river barges for grain and oil transport along the River Danube, advising on charter agreements, environmental compliance, and liability management across Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria. Andrii Trembich splits his time between international trade and maritime law work. The practice is overseen by Ernest Gramatskiy.

The Odesa-based law firm LEGRANT maintains a notable presence in maritime and port infrastructure, approached by shipowners, shipping agents, and port operators. In 2024, the firm demonstrated implementation of a precedent-setting case on the exemption from payment of freight under a bareboat charter amid martial law conditions; recovered unjustifiably received funds from a state enterprise and challenged a demand by the State Audit Service of Ukraine for reimbursement of granted discounts on tonnage and pilotage dues. The firm also provided critical legal support to a charterer in resolving a dispute related to the non-performance of a voyage charterparty. In addition, the firm advised on the opening of the pilotage services market for private companies. Tatyana Titarenko, managing partner, serves as the primary point of contact, while Yaroslav Dabizha is highly regarded by peers for his effective management of maritime cases. Mariia Khrapytska is present across the practice’s projects.

Sergeyevs’ Law Office, a boutique firm based in Odesa, specializes in maritime law, offering legal representation to manning and crewing agents, shipowners, ship management companies, seafarers, and their families. In 2024, the office handled a diverse range of complex projects, demonstrating its expertise in maritime law and international commercial contracts. The firm successfully advised, and negotiated high-value contracts for some of the world’s largest shipowners, including V. GROUP, V. SHIPS UK, CMA SHIPS SINGAPORE, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Danaos Shipping Co. LTD and others. The team also handled insurance claims settlements, securing compensation from P&I clubs and shipowners in connection with disability and loss of life cases, amounting to UAH 16 million. The firm successfully represented a permanent client in a debt recovery case involving a major Ukrainian seaport and supported claims against the Shipping Administration of Ukraine regarding the implementation of national and international maritime law. Yuriy Sergeyev heads maritime law practice, and Svitlana Sergeyeva practices mediation.

The Odesa-based firm Jurline* is recognized for its longstanding presence in the maritime and shipping sector, particularly in handling legal matters involving seaports and terminals. Managing partner Volodymyr Zubar serves as the primary contact.

Another Odesa firm referred by peers, Black Sea Law Company*, as led by Evgeniy Sukachev, specializes in maritime claims.

Market participants highlighted the longstanding involvement of English law firms — such as Hill Dickinson, Stephenson Harwood, Clyde & Co, Reed Smith, and Holman Fenwick Willan — in advising Ukrainian clients on maritime law matters.[1] The firms marked with asterisk (*) have not submitted information for the current research.