Criminal defence

Criminal defence is the firm’s core practice. We act for clients at every stage of criminal proceedings: from the first investigative action through to the review of judgments and the questions that arise once a sentence is being enforced.

A criminal defence lawyer is needed from the very first contact with law enforcement: a summons for questioning, a search, detention or service of a notice of suspicion. A criminal lawyer in Kyiv defends suspects and accused persons, represents victims and supports businesses in criminal proceedings. Meetings are held at our office or online. If a search is under way or someone has just been detained, use our urgent 24/7 legal assistance.

Stages of the proceedings and what we do

Pre-trial investigation

• Legal protection during a search
• Defence upon detention
• Assistance at questioning and summons by an investigator
• Participation in investigative and covert actions
• Temporary access to items and documents
• Challenging a notice of suspicion
• Preventive measures
• Revoking property attachment (asset seizure)
• Lifting the freeze on bank accounts
• Recovery of seized property
• Access to the case materials
• Challenging actions of the investigator and prosecutor
• Closing criminal proceedings
• Defence during the pre-trial investigation

Trial

• Defence in the court of first instance
• Returning the indictment to the prosecutor
• Defence in a jury trial
• Plea and reconciliation agreements

Review of judgments and enforcement of sentence

• Appealing a verdict: appeal and cassation
• Review on newly discovered circumstances
• Enforcement of sentence: parole and deferral

Specific areas

• Defence of business in criminal proceedings
• Anti-corruption defence (NABU, SAPO, HACC)
• Extradition and Interpol disputes
• Defence of minors
• Protecting the rights of the victim

When you need a lawyer in a criminal case

• you have been summoned to an investigator for questioning
• a search is being carried out at your home, office or business premises
• you or someone close to you has been detained
• a notice of suspicion has been served, or the prosecutor is asking for a measure of restraint
• property or funds in bank accounts have been attached, or equipment or documents have been seized
• the case has been sent to court, or a verdict needs to be appealed
• you are a victim and your rights in the proceedings need to be protected

The participation of defence counsel is mandatory, in particular, in proceedings concerning special grave offences – from the time the person achieves the status of a suspect – and in respect of persons under eighteen years of age who are suspected or charged with a criminal offence (Article 52 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

How we handle these matters

• immediate response to searches and detentions
• a lawyer present alongside the client at investigative actions
• the scope of work and the payment terms agreed in writing before we start
• one lawyer runs the case through every stage of the proceedings

How the work proceeds

1. First conversation: we establish the person’s status in the proceedings, the stage reached and the next procedural steps.
2. Agreement and lawyer’s order: the lawyer enters the case as defence counsel.
3. Position: we analyse the documents available to the defence and agree the line of defence with the client.
4. Procedural work: attending questioning and investigative actions, motions, complaints to the investigating judge.
5. Court and review: defence at first instance and, where needed, appeal and cassation.

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I refuse to give evidence against myself?

Yes. No one may be compelled to give explanations or testimony which may serve as a ground for suspecting or charging that person, or their close relatives or family members (Article 18 of the Criminal Procedure Code). A suspect has the right to keep silence about the suspicion and to refuse to answer questions at any time (item 4 of part 3 of Article 42 of the Criminal Procedure Code) and, on first request, to have defence counsel and consult them before the first interview (item 3 of part 3 of Article 42 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

Can a lawyer be refused access to a search?

No. Regardless of the stage the search has reached, the investigator, the prosecutor and the other officials taking part in it must admit defence counsel or an attorney to the scene (part 1 of Article 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code). The investigator or prosecutor may not prohibit participants in the search from using a lawyer’s legal assistance (part 3 of Article 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code). Defence counsel’s authority is confirmed by the certificate of the right to engage in legal practice and an order or an agreement with defence counsel; no additional requirements, apart from presenting an identity document, are allowed (Article 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code). A search of a home or other possession on the basis of an investigating judge’s ruling must be recorded on audio and video (part 10 of Article 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

How long can a person be held after apprehension without a court ruling?

No more than 72 hours from the moment of apprehension. No later than 60 hours after apprehension, the person must be released or brought to court for consideration of a motion to impose a measure of restraint (Article 211 of the Criminal Procedure Code). A person is deemed to be apprehended from the moment they, with the use of force or through obedience to an order, have to stay next to the competent official or in premises prescribed by that official (Article 209 of the Criminal Procedure Code). An apprehended person has the right to defence counsel, to demand that the validity of the detention be verified and to have family members, close relatives or other persons promptly notified of the apprehension and their whereabouts (items 3, 6 and 7 of part 3 of Article 42 and Article 213 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

How can a property attachment be revoked?

By filing a motion to revoke the property attachment fully or in part (part 1 of Article 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code). This right belongs to persons who were absent when the issue of property attachment was considered; in addition, the attachment is revoked if it is proved that there is no need for its continued application or that it was ungrounded. The motion may be filed by the suspect, the accused, their defence counsel or legal representative, another owner or holder of the property, or the representative of the legal entity in whose respect proceedings are taken. During the pre-trial investigation the motion is considered by the investigating judge, and during court proceedings by the court, within three days after it is received by the court (part 2 of Article 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

Can a notice of suspicion be challenged?

Yes, but not immediately. A suspect or their defence counsel may challenge a notice of suspicion once one month has passed since notification of suspicion of a minor crime (kryminalnyi prostupok), or two months in the case of a crime, but no later than the closure of the criminal proceedings by the prosecutor or the filing of an indictment with the court (item 10 of part 1 of Article 303 of the Criminal Procedure Code). The complaint is considered by an investigating judge of the local court or, in proceedings within the jurisdiction of the High Anti-Corruption Court, by an investigating judge of that court, no later than 72 hours after it is received (Article 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code). The general time limit for complaints against decisions, acts or omissions of the investigator, inquiring officer or prosecutor is ten days (part 1 of Article 304 of the Criminal Procedure Code); how it is calculated in your case is best assessed with a lawyer as soon as the suspicion is served.

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