An international company pursuing a debt recovery claim in Ukraine discovers mid-proceeding that the rules governing its case have changed. Deadlines have shifted. Filing requirements have been revised. Documents submitted under the previous regime may no longer satisfy the court. The cost of that discovery – measured in delay and procedural loss – can be severe.
Ukraine's civil procedure rules have been amended under a series of legislative changes that took effect in stages through 2024 and early 2025. The amendments affect how litigants file a pozovna zayava (statement of claim), apply for an interim injunction, and enforce a final judgment. International businesses with active or pending proceedings in Ukrainian courts must audit their procedural position without delay.
This alert identifies what changed, which businesses are affected, and the immediate steps required to protect your legal position.
What changed and when it took effect
Ukraine's civil procedure legislation has undergone targeted revision as part of a broader judicial reform programme. The changes address three areas that directly affect commercial litigants.
Electronic court filing requirements. Courts now apply mandatory electronic court filing for commercial entities registered in Ukraine and for foreign legal entities represented by Ukrainian-admitted counsel. Paper submissions that were previously accepted in parallel are no longer sufficient for most commercial cases. A statement of claim must be submitted through the designated judicial information system to be registered on the date of filing. Failure to use the electronic channel can result in the claim being recorded at a later date – which matters critically for limitation period calculations.
Revised threshold for interim injunctions. The evidentiary bar for obtaining an interim injunction has been raised. Under the amended civil procedure rules, an applicant must now demonstrate both the urgency of the measure and a concrete risk of judgment non-enforcement if the injunction is not granted. Courts have narrowed the categories of assets subject to automatic freezing orders. Applicants who relied on broader pre-amendment practice should reassess their interim relief strategy before filing.
Judgment enforcement timelines. The period within which a creditor must present an enforcement document to the State Enforcement Service has been revised. Missing the updated deadline extinguishes the right to compulsory enforcement – even where the underlying judgment remains valid. This change applies to judgments issued both before and after the amendment's effective date, subject to transitional rules that require case-by-case review.
Transitional provisions grant a limited window – generally measured in weeks, not months – for parties with proceedings already underway to bring their filings into conformity. That window is closing for cases filed in late 2024.
For context on parallel procedural developments in the region, see our alert on court procedure changes in Russia, which examines comparable legislative reform patterns affecting cross-border litigants.
Which businesses are affected
The amendments apply broadly, but the practical impact is highest for three categories of business.
Foreign creditors with outstanding Ukrainian judgments. Any company holding an unenforced Ukrainian court judgment must check whether the revised enforcement deadline applies to its case. A judgment that was enforceable under the prior timeline may require immediate action to preserve the enforcement right. Waiting for routine case review is not adequate – this requires active verification now.
International companies in active commercial litigation. Businesses currently engaged in commercial disputes before Ukrainian courts – whether as claimant or defendant – must confirm that all pending submissions comply with the new electronic filing requirements. This includes not only the statement of claim but also responses, interim applications, and evidentiary filings. Local counsel should be instructed to audit the procedural record.
Companies considering new proceedings in Ukraine. Businesses evaluating whether to initiate claims – for contract breaches, unpaid invoices, or asset recovery – must factor the revised interim injunction criteria into their litigation strategy. An injunction application that would have succeeded under prior practice may now require substantially more documentary preparation.
The amendments also affect parties who have chosen commercial litigation and arbitration in Ukraine as their dispute resolution mechanism in cross-border contracts. Forum selection clauses referencing Ukrainian courts should be reviewed in light of the current procedural environment.
To receive an expert assessment of your litigation position in Ukraine under the amended rules, contact us at info@ferrazwhitmore.com.
Immediate actions for international companies
Companies with any exposure to Ukrainian civil procedure should take the following steps without delay.
- Audit all active proceedings. Identify every case before a Ukrainian court. For each case, confirm that filings have been made through the electronic system. Request confirmation from local counsel that the case record is procedurally compliant under the amended rules.
- Check enforcement deadlines. For any unenforced Ukrainian judgment, determine the applicable enforcement deadline under the revised legislation. If the deadline is within the next 90 days, treat this as an urgent matter requiring immediate instruction to enforcement counsel.
- Reassess interim injunction applications. If you plan to seek an interim injunction, review whether your evidence meets the higher threshold now required. Prepare documentation that directly addresses both urgency and the risk of non-enforcement – not merely the merits of the underlying claim.
- Review cross-border enforcement routes. For judgments that may be difficult to enforce in Ukraine directly, evaluate parallel enforcement options in jurisdictions where the debtor holds assets. Ukrainian court judgments may be recognisable in certain third-country courts subject to applicable bilateral treaty arrangements.
- Update contract dispute resolution clauses. For new contracts with Ukrainian counterparties, consider whether the current procedural environment supports a Ukrainian court forum or whether international arbitration is preferable for dispute resolution.
Companies with corporate disputes in Ukraine should treat this procedural audit as an immediate priority. Procedural non-compliance does not simply delay a case – it can extinguish rights that cannot be reinstated.
About Ferraz & Whitmore
Ferraz & Whitmore is an international law firm based in Lisbon, advising business clients across 46 jurisdictions. Our team combines Portuguese civil law expertise with English common law tradition to deliver cross-border legal solutions in commercial litigation and judgment enforcement, including proceedings before Ukrainian courts. Our CIS and Eastern Europe practice supports international creditors, investors, and commercial parties who need results-oriented counsel to manage disputes and protect enforcement rights across multiple legal systems. The firm's litigation team has advised on judgment enforcement and interim relief matters in civil law jurisdictions spanning Europe and the CIS, and participates in cross-border practice groups focused on commercial dispute resolution. Engaging a lawyer in Ukraine with cross-border experience is essential when procedural rules are in active transition. As an international law firm serving Ukraine-related matters, Ferraz & Whitmore provides the dual-tradition perspective that complex CIS litigation demands. To discuss your litigation position in Ukraine, contact us at info@ferrazwhitmore.com.
Disclaimer: This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Ferraz & Whitmore assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this material. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@ferrazwhitmore.com.