Civil lawyer

Civil cases have one thing in common: it is not the person who is in the right who wins, but the person who has proved their case. The court does not establish the truth itself — it assesses the evidence submitted in a timely manner and in the proper form.

That is why a civil lawyer is needed not in the courtroom, but earlier: whilst it is still possible to gather documents, make legal enquiries, place a charge on the defendant’s property and correctly formulate the claims. A claim in which the demands are set out in such a way that the court cannot grant them will be lost even if the claimant is in the right.

We handle civil disputes for private individuals: inheritance, debts, compensation for damages, and housing and land matters.

+38 095 554-54-24 — legal consultation

Areas of practice

Inheritance

• Contesting a will — legal incapacity of the testator, undue influence, procedural irregularities, compulsory share
• Division of an estate by law — order of succession, shares, disputes between heirs
• Inheritance solicitor — acceptance of an inheritance, extension of time limits

Damages and compensation

• Compensation for non-pecuniary and pecuniary damage

Debts

• Debt recovery — court order, claim, enforcement proceedings
• Debt recovery under a promissory note

Process

• Pre-litigation settlement of civil disputes
• Legal representation — all stages, from the claim to enforcement

Also: protection of property rights, housing and land disputes, protection of honour and dignity, and the invalidation of legal transactions.

Four factors that determine the outcome

Time limits. The general limitation period is 3 years (Article 257 of the Civil Code), but special time limits apply to many claims: 1 year — for penalties and forfeits; separate rules apply to employment disputes. Note: the running of the limitation period, which was suspended during the quarantine and martial law, resumed on 4 September 2025. For old debts and disputes, this means that the limitation periods are running again.

Securing the claim. If there is a risk that the defendant will dispose of their assets, an application for attachment must be filed along with the claim, rather than after the case has been won. Otherwise, there will be a judgement but no money.

Evidence. The court assesses only what is submitted in good time. New evidence submitted on appeal without good cause will not be accepted — so the tactic of ‘we’ll sort it out on appeal’ does not work.

Formulation of claims. The most common mistake in self-represented claims: the legal right exists, but the claim is formulated in such a way that the court cannot grant it.

How much does it cost to go to court?

The minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons in 2026 is 3,328 UAH. Court fees are calculated based on this figure.

Submission via the ‘Electronic Court’ — 20 per cent discount. If the case is won, court fees and legal aid costs are recoverable from the defendant.

How long does a case take?

• simplified (minor) proceedings — up to 60 days from the date of commencement;
• general proceedings — preparatory proceedings up to 60 days (Article 189 of the Code of Civil Procedure) plus 30 days for consideration on the merits (Article 210 of the Code of Civil Procedure);
• in practice — 6–12 months at first instance; with expert evidence — up to 18 months;
• appeal — 30 days to lodge an appeal, several months for consideration;
• enforcement of the judgment — a separate stage, which often takes longer than the trial itself.

When a solicitor is not needed

In minor cases, you can represent yourself, and where the sums involved are small, this is a sensible option. We will not persuade you to go to court if the costs exceed the potential outcome.

You need a civil lawyer when:

• the value of the claim is comparable to the costs of the defence or greater;
• the other party is a bank, an insurance company, a government body or a lawyer;
• the time limit is about to expire or it is unclear from when it is calculated;
• there is a risk that the defendant will dispose of their assets;
• an expert assessment is required — valuation, psychiatric, structural and technical, or handwriting analysis;
• the case was lost at first instance;
• a judgement has been handed down, but the money has not been paid.

How we work

1. We assess the prospects honestly — what evidence is available, what will need to be proven, and what the realistic outcome is. If there are no prospects, we say so straight away.
2. We gather evidence — solicitors’ requests to registers, banks, medical institutions and archives.
3. We freeze the withdrawal of assets — securing the claim at the same time as filing it.
4. We prepare procedural documents — with correctly formulated claims.
5. We represent you in court at all levels, including in your absence.
6. We see the case through to a successful conclusion — enforcement proceedings, registration of title, recovery of funds.

Cost of services

Full price list

Questions and answers (Civil lawyer)

How much does it cost to file a claim?

Property claim — 1% of the claim value (from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH for individuals in 2026). Non-property claim — 1,331.20 UAH. Court order — 332.80 UAH. If the case is won, the fee is recovered from the defendant.

How long does a civil case take?

Minor cases — up to 60 days from the date of commencement. Ordinary cases — 6–12 months at first instance; longer if an expert assessment is required. An appeal adds several months.

Can the defendant be ordered to pay the costs of legal representation?

Yes. If you win, the court will order the other party to pay the costs of professional legal assistance. The court will assess whether these costs are proportionate to the complexity of the case.

Is it compulsory to attend hearings in person?

No. A solicitor represents you under a legal assistance agreement. Personal attendance is only required in exceptional cases.

What should I do if I lose the case?

Lodge an appeal within 30 days. However, the appeal court will not accept new evidence without good cause — so the outcome is largely decided at first instance.

How long is the limitation period for bringing a claim?

The general limitation period is 3 years, but special time limits apply to certain claims (for example, 1 year for late payment penalties). The limitation period resumed on 4 September 2025 following the suspension due to the lockdown and the war.

What is interim relief?

The attachment of the defendant’s property or bank accounts, or a prohibition on certain actions whilst the case is being heard. It must be applied for alongside the claim — otherwise, the debtor may transfer their assets, and winning the case will be of no benefit.

I’ve won the case, but the money hasn’t been paid. What should I do?

Initiate enforcement proceedings: tracing of accounts and assets, seizure, recovery of debts, and a temporary restriction on the debtor’s ability to travel abroad.

What documents should I bring to the consultation?

Anything relating to the dispute: contracts, receipts, correspondence, property documents, previous court decisions, summonses and court orders.

Contacting a civil lawyer at Svarog

Describe the situation — we’ll assess the prospects, calculate the timeframe and total cost (fees, court charges, expert reports) and advise whether it makes sense to go to court or whether it’s 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 (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00