Commercial disputes

A commercial dispute is above all a dispute about money and deadlines, and speed counts. Getting the jurisdiction right, securing the claim and working the evidence often decide the outcome at the very start.

When to get in touch

• a counterparty is not paying for goods delivered or services rendered
• contractual deadlines have been missed
• a dispute has arisen over the quality or the volume of what was performed
• the company’s interests need to be defended in the commercial court

What the lawyer does

• determines the jurisdiction and the strategy for the case
• prepares the letter of demand and negotiates with the counterparty
• prepares the claim or the defence and assembles the evidence
• applies for interim measures
• represents the company before the courts at every level
• handles enforcement of the judgment

Legal basis

The cases within the jurisdiction of the commercial courts are set out in Article 20 of the Commercial Procedure Code of Ukraine — principally disputes arising in connection with business activity. The substantive basis is the Civil Code of Ukraine and special legislation: obligations (Articles 526, 530 and 611), liability for breach of a monetary obligation (Article 625) and limitation (Article 257).

Legislation and case law are updated over time; this page reflects the position as of August 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is a letter of demand required before filing?

Pre-action steps are not always mandatory, but they often speed up payment and strengthen the position in court.

How does a commercial dispute differ from a civil one?

Principally in who the parties are and in the dispute’s connection with business activity — and that determines which court hears the case (Article 20 of the Commercial Procedure Code).

Need legal assistance? Call us or leave a request — a lawyer will contact you and explain what to do in your situation.