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

Commercial disputes we handle

We represent companies and sole traders in disputes arising in connection with business activity (Article 20 of the Code of Commercial Procedure of Ukraine), in particular:

• recovery of debts under supply, contractor, service and lease agreements – see also Debt recovery;
• recovery of contractual penalties, 3% annual interest and inflation losses for late payment (Article 625 of the Civil Code of Ukraine);
• disputes over the quality, completeness or volume of goods delivered or work performed;
• conclusion, amendment or termination of a contract, or having it declared invalid – see also Contract disputes;
• return of prepayments and recovery of damages;
• disputes over title to property between businesses;
• corporate disputes – between members of a company or between a member and the company (Article 20(1)(3) of the Code of Commercial Procedure); see Corporate disputes.

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 measures to secure the claim
• represents the company before the courts at every level
• handles enforcement of the judgment

How a case proceeds: from a letter of demand to enforcement

1. Analysis and calculation. We review the contract, correspondence, delivery notes, acceptance certificates and payments, and calculate the principal debt, penalties, 3% annual interest and inflation losses.
2. Letter of demand. Pre-trial dispute settlement is pursued by agreement between the parties or where the law makes it mandatory (Article 19(1) of the Code of Commercial Procedure). A letter of demand often speeds up payment.
3. Claim and securing the claim. We file the claim through the Electronic Court system; an electronic account is mandatory for legal entities (Article 6(6)). If there is a risk that the judgment will not be enforceable, we ask the court to freeze the defendant’s funds or assets – before the claim is filed or while the case is pending (Articles 136 and 137).
4. Hearing. An undisputed debt under a written contract of up to one hundred subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons can be recovered by way of a court order (Article 148). Minor cases, including those with a claim value of up to one hundred subsistence minimums (Article 12(5)), are heard in simplified action proceedings – within no more than 60 days from the opening of proceedings (Article 248). In general action proceedings, the preparatory proceedings last up to 60 days (exceptionally extended by up to 30 days) and the merits are heard within 30 days (Articles 177 and 195).
5. Appeals. An appeal against a judgment is filed within 20 days, and a cassation appeal also within 20 days, as a rule from the date the judgment is announced (Articles 256 and 288). See our articles on appeals and cassation appeals.
6. Enforcement. We support enforcement of the judgment by a state or private enforcement officer.

Time limits and costs

• Limitation period – three years (Article 257 of the Civil Code), and one year for claims to recover penalties (Article 258(2)(1)). We check how the time limits run in your case separately.
• Court fee depends on the value of the claim; how to calculate it is explained in our article Statement of Claim in Ukraine: What to Include, What to Attach and the Court Fee in 2026.
• Court costs. Together with its first statement on the merits, each party files a preliminary estimate of its court costs (Article 124(1)). If the claim is upheld, the court orders the defendant to bear the costs of professional legal aid (Article 126 and Article 129(4)); the amount must be proportionate to the complexity of the case, the work done and the value of the claim (Article 126(4)).
• Our fees – see Fees and payment formats.

Legal basis

The cases within the jurisdiction of the commercial courts are set out in Article 20 of the Code of Commercial Procedure 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). Proceedings are governed by the Code of Commercial Procedure of Ukraine: pre-trial dispute settlement – Article 19; forms of commercial proceedings – Article 12; securing the claim – Articles 136–137; court costs – Articles 124–129; appeals and cassation appeals – Articles 256 and 288.

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

Frequently asked questions

Is a letter of demand required before filing?

Pre-trial settlement 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 Code of Commercial Procedure).

How long does a commercial case take?

In simplified action proceedings – no more than 60 days from the opening of proceedings (Article 248 of the Code of Commercial Procedure). In general action proceedings – preparatory proceedings of up to 60 days (exceptionally up to 30 more) and 30 days for the merits (Articles 177 and 195). Appeals add time.

Can the costs of a lawyer be recovered from the defendant?

Yes. If the claim is upheld, the court orders the defendant to bear the costs of professional legal aid, provided they are supported by the engagement agreement and a detailed description of the work, and the amount is proportionate to the case (Articles 126 and 129). A preliminary estimate is filed with the claim (Article 124).

What if the debtor is moving funds or assets away?

Ask the court to secure the claim – a freeze on funds or assets, or a ban on certain actions. The application can be filed even before the claim (Articles 136 and 137). See our article Securing a Claim in Ukraine.

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