Commercial disputes in Ukraine: debts, contracts, member conflicts
In short. Contract, corporate and business property disputes between companies and sole traders go to the commercial court, usually where the defendant is registered (Commercial Procedure Code, Arts. 20, 27). A late payer owes the debt adjusted for inflation plus 3% a year unless the contract says otherwise (Civil Code, Art. 625). We draft the demand and claim; in court, you are represented by a partner advocate.
Commercial disputes we handle
The second column is the rule that decides what you can claim and when.
| Dispute | Deadline or rule | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Money and contracts | ||
| Debt recovery from a counterparty: supply, services, lease | debt + inflation + 3% a year (Civil Code, Art. 625); penalties — one-year limitation (Art. 258) | calculation, demand, claim, enforcement |
| Performance, amendment or termination of a contract | commercial court if both parties are companies or sole traders (Commercial Procedure Code, Art. 20(1)(1)) | contract review, position, claim or defence |
| Creditor-initiated bankruptcy or defence against it | preparatory hearing no later than 14 days after the petition is accepted (Bankruptcy Code, Art. 35) | response, verification of the claim, settlement talks |
| Company and owners | ||
| LLC member disputes | a general meeting resolution is challenged within one year (Civil Code, Art. 258(2)(8)) | charter and minutes review, talks, claim |
| Member exit and payment for the share | the company reports the value within 30 days and pays within a year (LLC Law, Art. 24) | valuation, demand, recovery |
If the contract sets no payment date, the debtor must pay within seven days of a written demand (Civil Code, Art. 530(2)). That is why most debt cases start with a demand letter and a calculation.
How we handle a commercial dispute: 5 steps
Ukrainian commercial procedure has writ proceedings for undisputed small sums and claim proceedings, general or simplified (Commercial Procedure Code, Art. 12). Pre-trial settlement applies by agreement of the parties or where the law requires it (Art. 19).
Appeal terms are shorter than in civil cases: 20 days against a judgment and 10 days against a ruling (Art. 256), 20 days for a cassation appeal (Art. 288).
Fees
| Service | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Online consultation, 30 minutes | €100 | by appointment |
| Written opinion, contract or charter review | from €200 | by agreement |
| Handling the dispute: demand, talks, claim, court | by agreement | depends on the amount and stage; fixed in the contract |
| Court fee: monetary claim by a company | 1.5% of the claim | at least 1 and at most 350 subsistence minimums (Court Fee Law, Art. 4) |
| Court fee: appeal | 150% of the rate | of the amount disputed |
The court sets the timetable, so we do not promise one; the stages, deadlines and what we need from the company at each are written into the contract.
Who handles the case
Our lawyer prepares calculations, demand letters and procedural documents and leads negotiations. In a commercial court, a party may be represented by an advocate or a legal representative; in small cases, by any capable adult (Commercial Procedure Code, Art. 58). The company is represented in court by an advocate who works with us under contract; we remain responsible to you.
For foreign companies with Ukrainian counterparties we also offer legal outsourcing: contracts, claims work and replies to partners on an ongoing basis.
Why clients trust us with disputes
What to prepare for the consultation
- the contract, annexes and specifications;
- acts, waybills, invoices and payment orders;
- correspondence and demand letters already sent;
- the EDRPOU codes (registration numbers) of both parties;
- court papers if the case is already in court, and the date you received them.
Documents can be sent online. Office: 2A Tershakivtsiv St., Lviv (Legal Solutions LLC).
FAQ: commercial disputes in Ukraine
How much does a lawyer cost in a commercial dispute?
Which court hears commercial disputes?
What can be recovered besides the debt itself?
Is a demand letter required before suing?
How long is the appeal period in a commercial case?
Are you lawyers or advocates?
Related services
A counterparty does not pay or breaches the contract?
Send the contract, acts and correspondence. We will calculate the amount with inflation and 3% a year, tell you which deadlines are running and quote the fee for handling the case.
