Protecting victims: defendant sentenced to 5 years, damages awarded to our clients

The client’s problem

On 13 November 2020, during a verbal conflict in the common corridor of a residential building, a man struck each of our two clients once with an object with stabbing and cutting properties. Both suffered grievous, life-threatening bodily injuries. In court, the defendant claimed that he had been defending himself.

What we did

• We represented both victims in court.
• We filed civil claims for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and legal costs.
• We challenged the defendant’s claim of self-defence.

Outcome

By a verdict of 17 May 2023, the Darnytskyi District Court of Kyiv found the defendant guilty under Article 121(1) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and sentenced him to 5 years’ imprisonment; the court rejected the self-defence claim. One victim’s civil claim was allowed in full (UAH 15,118.48 in pecuniary and UAH 100,000 in non-pecuniary damage), the other’s in part (UAH 4,129.74 and UAH 100,000); each was also awarded UAH 22,625 in legal costs – UAH 264,498.22 in total. On 31 August 2023, the Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the verdict, and the Supreme Court refused to open cassation proceedings.