Lifting the freeze on bank accounts

Freezing funds in bank accounts halts payments, wages and contract performance. For a business that is often more painful than the proceedings themselves, which is why it needs an immediate response.

When to get in touch

• the accounts of a company or an individual have been blocked
• the freeze makes it impossible to pay wages and mandatory charges
• the amount frozen greatly exceeds the possible loss in the case
• the freeze has been applied to accounts unconnected with the proceedings

What the lawyer does

• establishes the basis for the block and obtains a copy of the ruling
• analyses whether the freeze is well founded and proportionate
• prepares a motion to lift the freeze or reduce its scope
• sets out the case for allowing current payments to go through
• represents the client at the hearing
• liaises with the bank on how the ruling is to be applied

What you should know about a freeze on funds

• an attachment may cover money in non-cash form, funds and valuables in bank accounts, and expenditure transactions (part 10 of Article 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine)
• the court uses the least onerous method of attachment – one that does not result in the suspension or excessive restriction of lawful business activities (part 4 of Article 173); this is an argument for partially revoking a freeze so that wages, taxes and payments to counterparties can be made
• where funds are attached to secure a civil action, their value must be commensurate with the amount of damage (part 8 of Article 170)
• among other things, it is prohibited to attach funds in the single account opened under Article 35-1 of the Tax Code of Ukraine or in taxpayers’ accounts in the system of electronic administration of value added tax (part 3 of Article 170)

Provisional attachment: up to 48 hours

In urgent cases in proceedings concerning grave or especially grave crimes, the Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine or the Director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (or their deputies), with the prosecutor’s agreement, may impose a provisional attachment on funds in accounts for up to 48 hours. The prosecutor must apply to the investigating judge for an attachment within 24 hours; if the prosecutor does not, or the request is refused, the provisional attachment is deemed revoked and the funds are returned immediately (part 9 of Article 170).

How to revoke or reduce a freeze

• a motion to revoke the attachment in full or in part is heard by the investigating judge (pre-trial investigation) or the court (court proceedings) within three days after it is received (parts 1 and 2 of Article 174)
• the investigating judge’s ruling may be challenged on appeal within five days from the date of its pronouncement or, if it was made without summoning you, from the day you receive a copy (clause 9 of part 1 of Article 309; parts 2 and 3 of Article 395)
• when the prosecutor closes the proceedings, the prosecutor revokes the attachment at the same time unless the property is subject to special forfeiture (part 3 of Article 174)

If an account was frozen by a state or private enforcement officer (for example, over a debt), a different procedure applies – see enforcement service disputes.

Legal basis

Freezing funds in accounts is a form of seizure of assets: Article 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine; the procedure for lifting it is set out in Article 174.

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

Frequently asked questions

Can accounts be unblocked in part?

The law allows the scope of a freeze to be revisited; the defence sets out which specific transactions are necessary.

What should a business do first?

Obtain a copy of the ruling and assess its scope. Without that document there is no way to know where the restrictions begin and end.

Can funds on the single tax account be frozen?

No. The Criminal Procedure Code prohibits attaching funds in the single account opened under Article 35-1 of the Tax Code of Ukraine and in taxpayers’ accounts in the system of electronic administration of value added tax (part 3 of Article 170).

How long is there to appeal an account freeze ruling?

Five days from the pronouncement of the investigating judge’s ruling; if it was made without summoning you, from the day you receive a copy (parts 2 and 3 of Article 395 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

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