Most cases are lost not in the courtroom, but before they even reach it: a missed deadline, the wrong jurisdiction chosen, or evidence gathered in such a way that the court cannot admit it. It is almost impossible to rectify this at appeal — the appeal court will not accept new evidence unless you can prove that you were unable to submit it earlier for valid reasons.
You need a solicitor for legal proceedings not when the case has already fallen apart, but at the stage when you can still choose a strategy: whether to file a claim or wait, whether to secure the claim or not, and whether to settle or fight all the way to the Court of Cassation.
We handle cases in courts of all instances — civil, commercial, administrative and criminal. And we start with an honest assessment: what can realistically be achieved, how long it will take, and at what cost.
+38 095 554-54-24 — legal consultation
What cases do we handle
Civil — division of property, inheritance, debt recovery under promissory notes, compensation for damages, housing and land disputes, protection of honour and dignity.
Commercial — debt recovery from counterparties, setting aside contracts, corporate disputes, bankruptcy.
Administrative — appeals against decisions by state bodies, tax disputes, pension cases, appeals against fines imposed by the Tax and Customs Service, and customs disputes.
Criminal — defence of suspects and accused persons, representation of victims, challenging charges, and changing the preventive measure.
What is decided before a claim is filed
These decisions determine the outcome more than eloquence in court.
Jurisdiction. The same dispute may fall under civil or commercial jurisdiction depending on the parties involved. One mistake — and the court dismisses the case, whilst the limitation period expires in the meantime.
Time limits. The general limitation period is three years (Article 257 of the Civil Code), but special time limits apply to many claims: one year for liquidated damages, six months or one month for appealing against tax authority decisions, and 30 days for most administrative fines.
Note: the running of the limitation period, which was suspended during the quarantine and martial law, resumed on 4 September 2025.
Interim relief. If there is a risk that the defendant will dispose of assets, an application for the attachment of property must be filed alongside the claim, rather than after a successful judgment. Otherwise, there will be a judgment but no money.
Evidence. The court assesses evidence that has been submitted in a timely and proper manner. Correspondence, audio recordings, valuers’ reports, expert opinions—all of this must be gathered before the claim is filed, as the court may not accept it afterwards.
How long does the court case take?
| Stage | Time limit under the Code | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory proceedings | up to 60 days | 2–4 months |
| Trial on the merits | 30 days | 2–6 months |
| First instance overall | — | 6–12 months |
| Appeal | — | 3–6 months |
| Cassation | — | 6–12 months |
| Enforcement of the judgment | — | from 1 month to several years |
Simplified (minor) proceedings are faster: up to 60 days from the date of commencement. An appeal must be lodged within 30 days of the judgment being delivered.
These figures are not a reason to avoid going to court, but a reason to do the maths. Sometimes a settlement for 70 per cent of the amount, signed after two months, is more advantageous than a 100 per cent judgement obtained after two years and only half enforced.
Winning a court case is only half the battle
A court judgement does not, in itself, bring in any money. Next comes enforcement proceedings: tracing the debtor’s bank accounts and assets, seizure, and recovery. This is where most victories ‘fall through the cracks’: the debtor formally ‘has nothing’.
That is why we plan for enforcement even before filing the claim: we check the defendant’s assets, assess the risk of them being siphoned off, and, if necessary, immediately apply for interim relief. And we give you a frank warning: if the prospects of actual recovery are low, it is better to hear this before paying the court fee.
Court fees in 2026
The minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons is 3,328 UAH. Rates are calculated based on this figure:
| Type of claim | Rate | Amount in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Civil, property-related (natural person) | 1% of the value of the claim | from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH |
| Civil, non-property-related (natural person) | 0.4 times the minimum subsistence level | 1,331.20 UAH |
| Commercial, property-related | 1.5% of the value of the claim | min. 3,328 UAH |
| Commercial, non-property | 1 times the subsistence minimum | 3,328 UAH |
| Administrative, non-property
(natural person) |
0.4 times the subsistence minimum | 1,331.20 UAH |
| Appeal | 150 per cent of the claim rate | — |
| Cassation appeal | 200 per cent of the claim rate | — |
Submitting documents via the ‘Electronic Court’ system — 20% discount. If the case is won, court fees and legal aid costs are recoverable from the defendant.
When a solicitor is not required
In minor cases and employment disputes, you can represent yourself, and for small sums this is a sensible option. We will not persuade you to go to court if the costs exceed the potential outcome.
A solicitor is needed in court cases when:
- the value of the claim is commensurate with or greater than the costs of defence;
- the other party is a bank, an insurance company, a government body or a lawyer;
- the time limit is about to expire or you are unsure when it starts;
- there is a risk that the defendant will dispose of their assets;
- expert evidence is required — forensic, valuation, psychiatric or structural engineering;
- the case has already been lost at first instance and an appeal needs to be prepared;
- it concerns criminal proceedings — in which case a solicitor is needed from the very outset.
How we work
- Assessing the prospects — what evidence is available, what will need to be proven, what the realistic outcome is and within what timeframe. If there are no prospects — we say so straight away.
- Strategy — jurisdiction, the scope of claims, calculating the value of the claim, the need for interim relief.
- Gathering evidence — solicitors’ enquiries, extracts from registers, engaging experts.
- Procedural documents — statement of claim, defence, applications, motions, appeals and cassation appeals.
- Representation at hearings — at first instance, on appeal and in cassation.
- Enforcement of judgments — working with a public or private enforcement agent until the matter is resolved.
Cost of services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Legal consultation | from 1,500 UAH |
| Legal opinion: assessment of the case’s prospects | from 5,000 UAH |
| Pre-litigation dispute resolution, negotiations | from 5,000 UAH |
| Preparation of procedural documents (statement of claim, defence, appeal) | from 5,000 UAH |
| Attendance at one court hearing | from 3,000 UAH |
| Court representation | from 10,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in a civil case | from 25,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in a commercial case | from 30,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in an administrative case | from 30,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in criminal cases | from 60,000 UAH |
| A solicitor’s participation in investigative proceedings | from 15,000 UAH |
| Support in enforcement proceedings | from 3,000 UAH |
| Disputes in international commercial arbitration | from 40,000 UAH |
| Cooperation without upfront payment (payment based on results) | from 100,000 UAH |
The following are charged separately: court fees, expert reports, valuations, and advance payments in enforcement proceedings.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to bring a claim to court?
Court fees: for a civil property claim by an individual — 1 per cent of the claim value (from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH in 2026); for a commercial claim — 1.5 per cent. Plus the lawyer’s fee. If the case is won, the fees are recovered from the defendant.
How long does a court case take?
First instance proceedings usually take 6–12 months; minor cases can be resolved within 60 days from the date of commencement. An appeal adds 3–6 months, and a cassation appeal can take up to a year.
Can legal fees be recovered from the defendant?
Yes. If you win, the court will order the losing party to pay the costs of professional legal assistance. The court assesses whether these costs are proportionate to the complexity of the case, so you will need a properly drawn-up contract, a statement of work and a cost breakdown.
What should you do if you lose at first instance?
Lodge an appeal within 30 days of the judgment being handed down. This prevents the judgment from becoming final. However, the appeal court will not accept new evidence without good cause, so your chances depend on what was done at first instance.
Do I have to attend the hearings in person?
No. A solicitor represents you under a power of attorney or a legal aid agreement. Your personal presence is required only in certain cases — for example, when the court summons you to give evidence.
What is an interim order and what is it for?
This involves the seizure of the defendant’s property or bank accounts, or a prohibition on certain actions whilst the case is being heard. It is filed alongside the claim. Without it, the debtor may transfer their assets, and even if you win the case, you will receive nothing.
What should you do if there is a judgement but the money is not being paid?
Initiate enforcement proceedings: tracing accounts and assets, seizure, and recovery. For legal entities, an additional option is to initiate bankruptcy proceedings.
What documents should you bring to a consultation?
Everything relating to the dispute: contracts, delivery notes, receipts, correspondence, previous court decisions, summonses, court orders, and documents concerning the other party’s assets.
Consulting a solicitor at Svarog for legal matters
Describe the situation during your consultation — we will assess the prospects, calculate the timeframe and total cost (fees, court charges, expert reports) and advise you whether it makes sense to go to court or whether it is more advantageous to reach a settlement. If there is no chance of success, you will be told straight away, rather than after a year of proceedings.
+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street, Office 2 (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00