Asters, a full-service Ukrainian law firm, is renowned for handling landmark, large-scale international arbitration cases, both investment and commercial. The team has expertise in disputes across various arbitration rules, including LCIA, ICC, ICAC, VIAC, SCC, AAA, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, UNCITRAL, and JAMS. Additionally, Asters assists clients in enforcing foreign arbitral awards and judgments within Ukraine. The team acts as the local Ukrainian counsel to Privatbank in connection with its claim brought against the Russian Federation pursuant to the Ukraine — Russia BIT. This case has three main directions, namely: assistance within arbitration proceedings; support within the revocation and setting aside proceedings pending before the Dutch court; extensive advice on various Ukrainian law matters, including working out and implementing a strategy for dealing with the former second claimant in the arbitration proceedings, Financial Company Finilon, that no longer has any standing in the proceedings but remains tied up with PrivatBank through a set of transactions regarding Crimean assets. The firm successfully represented a leading Ukrainian company in an ICC arbitration in Singapore, settling a dispute with a Chinese equipment manufacturer over a contested financial guarantee; secured a landmark victory in the Supreme Court for PowerChina, clarifying interim measures in aid of international arbitration under Ukrainian law and resolving novel jurisdictional questions involving multiple foreign defendants. The firm’s practice is traditionally retained for handling sports arbitration, and became increasingly active in commodities arbitrations during the research period. Oleksiy Didkovskiy, co-managing partner, is practice head and plays a key role in significant arbitral cases related to the Ukrainian banking sector. Oksana Legka and Oleksandr Volkov were promoted to partners since January 2024. Counsel Oleksandr Frolov and Anna Tkachova are standout team members.[1]

Ilyashev & Partners, renowned for its robust dispute resolution practice in Ukraine, has extensive experience in international commercial and investment arbitrations. The firm specializes in sectors such as military, commodities, oil and gas, aviation, shipping, shareholder issues, and banking disputes, and also handles the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards within Ukraine. The team represented the interests of SC Ukrspecexport in the Permanent Court of Arbitration attached to the Economic Chamber of Macedonia in a dispute with the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia for the collection of debts from the Ministry under the contract for helicopters’ maintenance, equipment supply, and specialists’ training. Another notable representation includes protecting the interests of J.S. Corrugating Machinery Co. Ltd, one of the largest China-based machinery manufacturers, in a matter relating to recognition and enforcement in Ukraine of two arbitration awards published by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) in a debt recovery case under an equipment supply contract. The firm is expanding into the emerging field of sports arbitration. For example, the team provides full legal support to the Fencing Federation of Ukraine in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Swiss courts as to the cancellation of the decisions of the Extraordinary Congress of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) about the return to the sport of Russian and Belarusian athletes, as well as officials of the said countries, to participating in individual and group competitions. The team led by Roman Marchenko, senior partner. Mikhail Ilyashev, managing partner, represents clients in high-profile international investment and commercial arbitration disputes as well as in Ukrainian arbitration-related litigation matters and provides expert legal opinions for international arbitration proceedings. Roman Protsyshyn and Marina Riashchenko were promoted to counsel positions and recognized for their active involvement in arbitration cases throughout the research period.

Ukrainian full-service law firm INTEGRITES houses a multi-functional international arbitration practice retained for large-scale significant cases. The war-time workload includes both investment-treaty cases and commercial arbitrations in various venues and under different rules (LCIA, SCC, ICC, Swiss Rules, DIS, ICAC (Kyiv), GAFTA, FOSFA, UNCITRAL, etc). The team acts as a Ukrainian law counsel for PJSC NPC Ukrenergo in the USD 550 million investment arbitration against Russia regarding the expropriation of the power grid, recreational facilities and other property of the client by the Russian authorities following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Following the bifurcation of the proceedings, the case has been on the jurisdictional stage in the past year and is being considered under UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The firm also successfully represented one of the world’s major ammonia pipeline operators in a new episode of the long-lasting legal battle against Togliattiazot arising out of the long-term contract for the transit of ammonia before the ICAC. During the research period the practice team extended its commodities arbitration workload. Widely recognized for her exceptional expertise Olena Perepelynska, partner and head of the arbitration practice, acts as arbitration counsel, expert and arbitrator. Partner Serhii Uvarov focuses on commercial and investment arbitration, arbitration-related litigation, with particular focus on the energy and financial services sectors. Partner Dmytro Marchukov represents clients in both arbitration and cross-border litigation matters and has remained one of the busiest Ukrainian law experts acting in high-level international arbitrations under ICSID rules. Counsel Krystyna Khripkova was noted for her active role in the arbitration practice, constantly named as a well-established practitioner.

Being a leading Ukrainian law firm with an internationally oriented full-service practice Sayenko Kharenko has an impressive portfolio of different arbitration issues under various institutional rules, including SCC, LCIA, Swiss Rules, FOSFA, ICSID and ICAC. The team acted as Ukrainian law counsel for the State of Ukraine in the largest USD 6.1 billion investment arbitration case against minority shareholders of Ukrnafta, which is currently pending before the Swedish courts within the setting aside proceedings. The arbitration team also continues to act as Ukrainian counsel of the State of Ukraine, alongside an international counsel Latham & Watkins, in an ICSID investment arbitration initiated by a shareholder of Aerosvit under the ICSID Arbitration Rules with the amount of claim around USD 700 million. Recent big wins include, inter alia, representation MHP Food Trading LLC, a UAE-based subsidiary of Myronivsky Hliboproduct, in a dispute under the FOSFA Rules of Arbitration and Appeal against the debtor based in Hong Kong; and defending the interests of OLFA LLC, a Ukrainian distributor of medical and pharmaceutical products, in the case against a Latvian company called Olainfarm JSC before ICAC. The firm also has a strong track record for enforcing arbitral awards in Ukraine and other jurisdictions. The practice team is led by partner Olexander Droug. Well-known practitioner Dr. Tatyana Slipachuk, FCIArb, C.Arb, rejoined the firm in May 2021 as a special advisor. Counsel Volodymyr Yaremko left the firm in December 2022 and joined Mayer Brown in London.

AGA Partners, boasting one of the largest arbitration teams among Ukrainian law firms, continues to be a leader in commodities arbitration while increasingly enhancing its arbitration capabilities beyond the agribusiness and trade sectors. The team consistently represents clients in various GAFTA and FOSFA arbitration proceedings concerning the performance of trade contracts. The firm is representing the interests of the client in SCC Arbitration proceedings initiated by the client against the English provider of consulting financial services as well as representing the interests of strategic Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprise Ukrhydroenergo at the ad hoc arbitration under the auspices of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) in a dispute with Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG. The team is also active in enforcement procedures after receipt of an arbitral award. Their portfolio includes successfully representating the China National Building Materials and Equipment Import & Export Corporation in the Supreme Court of Ukraine in a dispute against a Ukrainian bank regarding the fulfillment of a guarantee and representating the interests of a major Swiss agritrader before the Supreme Court within proceedings for the recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award. The sizeable team has three partners on board. Managing partner Aminat Suleymanova plays a strategic role in the development of the practice. Iryna Moroz is a recognized expert in the field of international arbitration. Ivan Kasynyuk is known for his specific focus on GAFTA, FOSFA, and LMAA arbitrations. The next generation of lawyers includes senior associates Ievgen Boiarskyi, Pavlo Lebediev, Dmytro Izotov, and Yurii Bedenko.

ANTIKA Law Firm offers comprehensive legal representation across a wide array of disputes within arbitration institutions, and manages all phases of enforcement processes. This includes the recognition and enforcement of awards from foreign courts and international arbitration panels. The team includes partners Dr. Oleksiy Kot and Maksym Korchahin, handling such arbitration cases as representation of GHG Emissions Traders And Consultants Ltd in the lawsuit against its counterparty for compensation of the cost of natural gas supplied in an arbitration process at the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representing Mimier Trade SA in the lawsuit against its counterparty on demanding delivery of agricultural products and payment of fines during an arbitration process before ICAC.

Eterna Law consistently maintains a strong presence in commodities arbitration, regularly representing clients from Ukraine and other states in GAFTA and FOSFA proceedings as well as handling LMAA and ICAC matters. The firm represents Ternopilvodokanal in arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules in a dispute with contractors in a World Bank led project for rebuilding a wastewater treatment plant in Ternopil; represented Alcodis SA in the ICC arbitration against a Ukrainian-based trader arising out of the shipment of bioethanol and enforcement of the ICC arbitration award in Ukraine; represented Ukrainian Railways in recognition and enforcement of the ICAC Award in Switzerland against a Swiss company regarding transportation tariffs. The international arbitration practice is invariably headed by partner Eugene Blinov.

EVERLEGAL manages arbitration cases across various sectors, including energy (particularly renewables), military and defense, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and construction, banking and finance, shipping, and international trade. The firm consistently represents clients in supply and non-performance disputes, and is experienced in investment arbitration in the renewable area. In the research period the team got GAFTA cases. An important part of the practice is giving support in connection with recognition and enforcement of arbitrational awards in Ukraine and foreign jurisdictions. Partner Vsevolod Volkov heads the international arbitration and cross-border disputes practice.

Kinstellar’s Kyiv office team demonstrates well-balanced arbitral activity under a variety of international institutional and ad hoc arbitration rules, including ICC, SCC, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL, Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, ICAC, and others. Energy disputes are one of the team’s key strengths. The team has actively engaged in providing war-related legal advice, addressing issues such as contract performance and force majeure scenarios, as well as advocating for legal compensation for damages caused by Russia’s war. The team is also active in arbitral-related enforcement procedures. Their portfolio includes successfully representing Premier Energy SRL before Ukrainian courts in the matter of recognition and enforcement of the LCIA Award in Ukraine. Olexander Martinenko, partner in the Kyiv office and the firm-wide head of dispute resolution, is experienced in representing clients in international commercial, investment arbitration proceedings, both within and beyond Ukraine as well as submitting Ukrainian law expert reports. Danylo Volkovetskyi, managing associate, is a key contributor.[2]

LCF Law Group is noted for its expertise in domestic litigation and excels in various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration across multiple sectors – construction, investor-state disputes, energy and natural resources, banking and finance, and the trading of grain and other commodities. The firm handles arbitrations arising from breaches of commercial contracts, debt recovery, with experience in representing both claimants and respondent parties. The team recently represented one of the largest producers of beverages and snacks in Ukraine in the LCIA in a lawsuit against a foreign counterparty for the amount of the debt for delivered goods. Olga Kostyshyna joined the company as counsel and head of international arbitration in May 2024, while Dr. Yulia Atamanova left the firm and joined Privatbank`s legal team.

Lexwell & Partners is engaged for high-stake strategic arbitrations, acting on behalf of the State of Ukraine in investment disputes, as well as representing state-owned enterprises in commercial arbitration cases. In particular, the firm acted as local co-counsel in the interest of the Government of Ukraine in the investment arbitration under the Energy Charter Treaty initiated by Littop Enterprises Limited, Bridgemont Ventures Limited and Bordo Management Limited v Ukraine; acts as a local counsel for Naftogaz of Ukraine in LCIA proceedings regarding corporate governance of Ukrnafta. Another lasting investment highlight is representing the State of Ukraine in international arbitration proceedings under the claim from Mr. Ihor Boyko, ex-owner of a confectionary business in Ukraine. The team is also acting on behalf of a Swiss company, addressing a series of disputes through commercial arbitration proceedings before ICAC. Igor Nagai and Zhanna Goriacha are the core members of the team, as led by Andriy Kolupaev.

The dispute resolution team at Baker McKenzie’s Kyiv office is involved in representing clients in international commercial arbitration and in court proceedings on recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Ukraine. Partner Ihor Siusel and counsel Kseniia Prokhur are core contact persons.

The Kyiv office of Swiss-based Fortior Law specializes in international dispute resolution, particularly complex disputes related to international trade, shipping, and urethra finance. They focus on cases involving the trading of crude oil, grains, as well as chartering and the carriage of goods by sea. The team predominantly handles disputes governed by English law, frequently securing worldwide freezing orders and other prohibitory injunctions to support arbitration claims. For example, the team obtained an LCIA arbitration award in favour of Adelon against Sib Coal AG in a debt of around USD 3 million arising out of non-payment under several assignment agreements and also obtained a worldwide freezing injunction and a wide disclosure order against Sib Coal. Swiss-based partner Vitaliy Kozachenko is the practice head. Danil Hristich, head of litigation, is mostly known for handling commodities arbitration.

Odesa-based Interlegal specializes in maritime, shipping, international trade and related commodities arbitration. During the research period the firm ensured the return of prepayment for goods, recovery of outstanding payments for goods delivered, collection of goods and compensation for demurrage. Oleksii Remeslo is the lead partner.

Redcliffe Partners acts on both commercial arbitration and arbitration under investment treaties, representing the claimant’s side and acting as Ukrainian law experts. The team represented international equipment producers as a claimants in several cases against Ukrainian state enterprises related to the recovery of debts before the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and at the Vienna International Arbitral Centre. The practice team was rebooted: Victoria Ivasechko re-joined the firm as counsel and head of dispute resolution effective from April 2023 and Oleksandr Zubrytskyi joined as a senior associate in 2023, having had previous job experience with AEQUO.[3]

In the course of in-depth interviews market participants noted AEQUO* to be an active arbitration counsel that is known for its expertise in energy disputes. Partner Pavlo Byelousov is referred to as an experienced practitioner.[4]

ARBITRADE* has extensive experience in representing clients in both investment and commercial arbitration across various capacities, including legal counsel, experts, and arbitrators. Dr. Yuliya Chernykh and Dr. Ivan Vashchynets are renowned names in arbitration.

Ukrainian law firm AVELLUM* was singled out for dynamic arbitration practice, with particular praise for counsel Oleksii Maslov. Senior partner Kostiantyn Likarchuk is the practice head.

During the research period, the team led by Oleg Alyoshin, a partner at Vasil Kisil and Partners*, was noted for its active presence on the market.

[1] In June 2023, Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, partner, former practice head, was appointed Executive Director of the International Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

[2] Partner Olga Vorozhbyt left the firm. In February 2024, she joined to Sayenko Kharenko.

[3] Sergiy Gryshko left the firm and became head of the Ukrainian office of Queritius Law Firm.

[4] The firms marked with an asterisk (*) have not submitted information for the current research. Their market presence was explored and commented during in-depth interviews.