Criminal proceedings do not commence with a decision by the investigator, but with the filing of a complaint. Information regarding a criminal offence must be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations no later than 24 hours from the time the complaint is filed (Article 214 of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
The investigator has no right to refuse to enter the information, having ‘assessed the prospects’ or decided that ‘there are no grounds for a case’. Assessment is already a stage of the investigation, and it takes place after registration, not in place of it.
In practice, things are different: “rewrite it”, “this is a civil dispute”, “we’ll check and get back to you”. Getting information entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations is something you have to fight for.
+38 095 554-54-24 — legal advice
How to file a report correctly
- In writing. Verbal statements ‘get lost’. The statement must be drawn up in duplicate.
- With proof of submission — a receipt stamp on your copy, or by post with a list of contents and a delivery confirmation.
- With a receipt — when submitting to the police, they are obliged to issue this to you. This serves as proof of your report.
- With specific details — what happened, when, where, who was involved, and what evidence is available. A vague report gives the investigation a reason to drag its feet.
- Citing the relevant section of the law — not essential, but useful: it makes it more difficult to ‘reclassify’ the case as a civil matter.
The statement can be submitted to the police, the public prosecutor’s office, the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) or the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) — depending on who is under investigation.
What to do if a case is not registered
Appeal against the inaction of the investigating judge. This is the primary and practical mechanism: failure to enter information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations is appealed to the investigating judge (Article 303 of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
Following the hearing, the court orders the information to be entered into the register. This is not a recommendation — it is a binding ruling.
What is required for a complaint: evidence of the application’s submission (receipt, postal receipt with a description, or a mark of acceptance) and confirmation that the information has not been entered (an extract from the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations or the absence of a response).
This is precisely why recording the submission is critically important. Without proof that the application has been submitted, there is nothing to appeal against.
‘This is a civil dispute’ — a typical excuse
The most common tactic to avoid registration is for the investigator to claim that the matter concerns civil law relations, rather than a criminal offence.
Sometimes this is true: breach of contract is not, in fact, fraud. But the line is a fine one, and it is determined by intent: if a person had no intention of fulfilling their obligations from the outset, took money knowing they would not return it, or used forged documents — that is already a criminal matter.
Distinguishing between the two and drafting a statement in such a way that the investigator cannot simply dismiss it — that is the lawyer’s job at this stage.
What happens after registration
Registration is the beginning, not a victory. The case may then ‘stall’: the investigator takes no action, does not interview witnesses, and does not order expert examinations.
Therefore, in parallel:
- we file motions — for interviews, expert examinations and the production of documents. The investigation only acts on requests made in writing;
- we monitor deadlines and challenge inaction;
- we challenge the closure of the proceedings if they have been closed prematurely;
- we prepare a civil claim within the framework of the criminal proceedings — it is filed without court fees.
More information on the rights of victims: Assistance for victims in criminal proceedings.
When you do not need a solicitor
Your statement has been accepted, the details have been recorded, and the investigation is underway — you do not need a solicitor. That does happen too.
You need a solicitor when:
- your statement is not registered or is ‘returned for further clarification’;
- you are told that it is a ‘civil dispute’;
- the case has been registered but is not being investigated;
- the proceedings have been closed;
- the case involves an economic offence — fraud, embezzlement, corporate raiding: refusals are most common in such cases;
- you need to file a complaint against a public official — and you are ‘advised not to do so’.
How we work
- We draft a complaint — with the correct classification and evidence, so that there is no grounds for refusal.
- We submit it with a record of submission — and keep evidence of submission.
- We challenge the inaction before the investigating judge — the court orders the entry of the information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations.
- We monitor the investigation — motions, deadlines, and the investigator’s actions.
- We challenge the closure of the proceedings.
- We file a civil claim — so that the case ends not only with a verdict, but also with compensation.
Cost of services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Consultation | from 1,500 UAH |
| Legal opinion: classification of the offence and prospects | from 5,000 UAH |
| Drafting a report of a criminal offence | from 5,000 UAH |
| Drafting of a complaint to the investigating judge, applications and procedural documents | from 5,000 UAH |
| Participation in one court hearing | from 3,000 UAH |
| A lawyer’s participation in investigative proceedings | from 15,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive ‘turnkey’ support for a criminal case | from 60,000 UAH |
Full price list · Criminal law
Questions and answers (Entering details into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations)
How long does an investigator have to register a complaint?
The details must be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations no later than 24 hours from the time the complaint is filed. This is an obligation, not a right.
Can an investigator refuse to enter the information?
No. Assessing the merits of the case is part of the investigation stage, which follows registration. A refusal to enter the information constitutes a failure to act and is subject to appeal.
What should I do if my complaint has not been registered?
You should challenge the inaction before an investigating judge. The court will order the information to be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations — the ruling is binding.
I’m being told that this is a ‘civil dispute’. Is that legal?
Not always. The distinction is determined by intent: if a person had no intention of fulfilling their obligations from the outset or used forged documents, this falls within the criminal rather than the civil sphere.
How can I prove that I submitted the application?
With the receipt slip, a stamp confirming receipt on your copy, or a postal receipt detailing the contents. Without proof of submission, there is nothing to appeal against.
The case has been registered, but nothing is being done. What should I do?
Submit a written application and challenge the inaction. The investigating authorities act on requests made in writing, which are subsequently subject to appeal.
The proceedings have been closed. Is this final?
No. The decision to close the case can be appealed to the investigating judge, and if there are grounds, it will be overturned — after which the investigation will resume.
Can I file a civil claim straight away?
Yes, within the framework of the criminal proceedings — and without paying court fees. This represents a significant saving compared to separate civil proceedings.
What should I bring to the consultation?
A copy of the complaint, the acknowledgement slip, any responses from the authorities, and evidence of the incident (documents, correspondence, witnesses, records).
Consulting a solicitor regarding the entry of information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations at the firm ‘Svarog’
If your application is not registered or you are told that ‘there is no basis for it’, this is not the end, but the start of the process. We will draft the application in such a way that it cannot be rejected, ensure its submission is recorded and, if necessary, compel the authorities to enter the details through the courts.
+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00