Baker McKenzie and Integrites have contributed to the completion of the European Commission questionnaire regarding Ukraine's application for European Union membership. Baker McKenzie contributed to the completion of Parts I and II of the questionnaire. ​​Integrites worked pro bono to contribute to the submission of the Ukrainian Government’s response. 

Integrites has advised Wartsila’s France-based Special Applications division on the bidding process and the agreement with Energoatom for the procurement of replacements for the safety backup of the nuclear power plant worth over EUR 2 million.

Recent changes in the work of Ukrainian intellectual property institute (Ukrpatent), which performs the functions of the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO).

Due to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, not only military and infrastructural objects of the state and territorial communities but also private objects of Ukrainian and foreign business are being destroyed. 

The constitutional right to judicial protection is not subject to restrictions under martial law. At the same time, some courts, taking into account the real situation in the region, may establish special modes of operation.

According to the CEE Legal Matters CEE By The Numbers report, between 2019 and 2021, Ukraine saw a large decrease in the number of ranked law firms and lawyers at ranked firms. While in 2019 the number of Ukrainian law firms ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 was 95, in 2021 the same number decreased to 69. Similarly, the number of ranked-firm lawyers decreased from 1,579 in 2019 to 1,338 in 2021. The decreasing trend is particularly visible in comparison to other CEE countries.

Relatively high inflation and lowering deposit interest rates became characteristic for Ukraine in recent years, thus heating investors’ demand for yields. Savings have been growing continuously, boosting the segments with a higher risk appetite and propelling the development of new investment opportunities. At the same time, the domestic financial sector is undercapitalized and has few financial instruments to offer. The market, therefore, attracts the attention of various non-resident providers of financial services – from the most diversified investment banking groups to single product enthusiasts, who are asked by Ukrainian corporations and high-net-worth individuals to offer a service or specifically target potential customers.

On April 5, 2022, the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving Legislation for the Period of Martial Law” No. 2142-IX dated March 24, 2022 (“Law No. 2142”) came into force.​

On 07 March 2022 two vital laws regulating tax and reporting obligations during martial law in Ukraine became effective: 

The owner’s rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. However, a person can still be restricted or stripped of enjoying its title to the property if so provided by the statutory law passed by Verkhovna Rada. Mandatory transfer of property for the needs of defence or other public emergencies is called requisition and such transfer must be subject to prior and fair compensation, except “where extraordinary circumstances require otherwise”.

On March 30, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (the AMCU) adopted Recommendations on some issues related to submission and consideration of applications for permission for concerted actions, mergers of economic entities during martial law (Recommendations). 

From February 24, 2022, under martial law, the banking system operates in a special mode.

On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a military aggression against Ukraine. This became the basis for the imposition of the martial law in Ukraine from 24 February 2022, with further extension until 26 April 2022.

24 March 2022, Law of Ukraine "On Arrangement of Labour Relations under Martial Law" No. 2136-ІХ dated 15 March 2022 (the Law) entered into force.

Avellum and Integrites have advised General Сommerce on obtaining merger control clearance from the Ukrainian Antimonopoly Committee for the acquisition and privatization of the First Kyiv Machine-Building Plant (Bilshovyk Plant).

Integrites, working with Aramis, has advised the InVivo Group on obtaining merger clearance in Ukraine and Kazakhstan for its EUR 2.2 billion acquisition of the Soufflet Group.

Comprehensive legislative overhaul, thriving business sectors, and new opportunities for foreign investors – these are the hot topics in Ukraine right now, according to Integrites Partner Illya Tkachuk.

Integrites Partner and Head of International Arbitration Olena Perepelynska has been appointed as a Member of the Baltic Litigation Fund Advisory Committee.