On 19 September 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine adopted Regulation No. 1011, introducing a comprehensive methodology ("Methodology") to identify the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) of legal entities in Ukraine. This significant development aims to enhance transparency and provide detailed guidance on the process of identifying UBOs, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that legal entities in Ukraine are able to correctly identify UBOs within their ownership structure and disclose this information to the competent authorities.

Avellum has advised JSC Integrity Capital on obtaining the merger control clearance of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine for its acquisition of shares in Lanita Invest – an indirect co-owner of the Ocean Plaza shopping and entertainment complex in Kyiv.

Effective from 2 October 2023, Ukraine has ushered in a series of substantial amendments to its Advertising Law, aimed at modernizing advertising regulations and harmonizing them with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

On 18 October 2023, Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding Mandatory Registration and Use of Electronic Offices in the Unified Judicial Information and Telecommunication System or its Separate Subsystem (Module) Enabling Document Exchange” No. 3200-IX, dated 29 June 2023, will be enacted (“Law”).

On 18 October 2023, the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Mandatory Registration and Use of Electronic Offices in the Unified Judicial Information and Telecommunication System (UJITS) or its separate subsystem (module) that provides for the exchange of documents" No. 3200-IX dated 29 June 2023 (hereinafter - the Law) was enacted. The Law amends the provisions of the procedural codes, in particular the Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine (hereinafter - the CPC).

Sayenko Kharenko has advised the European Fund for Southeast Europe on its EUR 4 million local currency equivalent loan to Bank Lviv for on-lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Sayenko Kharenko has advised an ad-hoc group of noteholders in connection with the consent solicitation launched by Naftogaz to amend and extend its USD 335 million in 7.375% notes due 2022.

Earlier this year, the Ukrainian Tax Code underwent significant amendments with the adoption of Law N 2970-IX. This legislation integrates the Common Reporting Standard into Ukrainian domestic tax law. As part of these broader changes, the law establishes distinct provisions applicable to trustees and trust administrators.

Former Asters Counsel and Head of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Anzhelika Livitska has joined Arzinger as a Partner in the firm’s Real Estate & Construction practice. She will also lead Arzinger's Energy & Natural Resources and Environmental & Sustainable Development practices.

Since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2014, and particularly since the full-scale invasion that began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has found itself in the epicenter of a new and challenging reality. This ongoing conflict has sparked a remarkable surge in Ukraine’s defense technology sector.

Asters has advised Horizon Capital on the co-investment with the IFC in Miratech.

Everlegal has partnered up with the Norwegian Refugee Council in Ukraine and will be offering the NRC legal support on a number of day-to-day legal issues.

Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of a war-torn Ukraine, the legal market in the country finds itself navigating a complex landscape marked by uncertainty, according to Avellum Senior Partner Kostiantyn Likarchuk who talks about Ukraine's quest for investment, the status of its judicial reforms, and the pivotal role of antitrust legislation in this challenging environment.

On 12 September 2023, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 5431 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Improve the Activities of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine" ("Law"), which launches a reform of Ukrainian competition law. The Law will enter into force on 1 January 2024.

On 16 September 2023 the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Procedure for Payment of Fees for Actions Related to the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights" ("Resolution") will enter into force. The Resolution introduces new fees, provides additional reductions and clarifies existing ones.

This article explains the tools available under Ukrainian competition law that allow interested third parties (customers, suppliers, competitors, etc.) to participate in the merger review process and protect their rights and interests. It also addresses merging parties’ potential risks associated with the involvement of third parties.

On 30 August 2023, the President of Ukraine signed Law of Ukraine “On Digital Content and Digital Services” No. 3321-IX (“Law”), designed to implement EU Directive 2019/770. The principal provisions of the Law enter into force on 2 March 2024.

Allen & Overy has advised MS Galleon on its EUR 440 million investment loan facility from Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego and the related Barlinek company on a EUR 100 million general loan facility provided by BGK, Bank Pekao, and PKO Bank Polski. Norton Rose Fulbright reportedly advised the banks.