History and definition

One of the world’s most famous encyclopaedias, Britannica, defines bullying as the deliberate, repeated infliction of harm or harassment on vulnerable individuals, including physical violence, mockery, threats, ostracism and the spreading of rumours in person or online.

Psychologists began to study bullying as a systemic phenomenon in the 1970s. The Swedish psychologist Dan Olweus is widely recognised as a pioneer in the study of this phenomenon. In his works, he not only drew attention to bullying as a socio-psychological phenomenon, but also devoted considerable attention to the issue of countering it.

Thanks to Dan Olweus’s work, the concept of “bullying” is closely associated with the educational environment, as most of his research focused on aggression among students.

It is with an emphasis on school that Ukrainian legislation defines bullying.

According to the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of Children,” bullying is psychological, physical, economic, or sexual violence, i.e., any intentional act (action or inaction), including the use of electronic communications, which is systematically committed by a person against a child with whom they are part of the same group, or by a child against another member of the same group, and which violates the rights, freedoms or legitimate interests of the victim and/or prevents them from fulfilling their legal obligations.

This approach is common in many European countries, where bullying is associated specifically with school, and cases of bullying in other areas of life, such as at work, are defined by separate terms, such as moral harassment (Belgium, France, Sweden).

At the same time, it should be noted that the European Court of Human Rights does not limit the concept of bullying exclusively to school and recognises that it includes systematic moral pressure at work (case of Špadijer v. Montenegro, application No. 31549/18).

What types of bullying are there?

The Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of Children” lists the following important characteristics of bullying:

First, it is systematic. That is, aggression towards a child is systematic and targeted.

Second, there is an inexhaustible list of types. Bullying includes verbal harassment, physical abuse, social bullying (e.g. isolation tactics), cyberbullying, sexual bullying (sexual comments or actions, sexual jokes and name-calling, rude gestures, spreading sexual rumours, as well as touching or grabbing someone without permission).

Thirdly, such systematic actions violate the rights, freedoms or legitimate interests of the victim. Most often, such actions cause moral suffering, which from a legal point of view is a violation of personal non-property rights.

The presence of a combination of these characteristics gives grounds for qualifying the actions as bullying and is a basis for contacting both the educational institution for a response and law enforcement agencies.

It should be noted right away that Ukrainian legislation provides for liability not only for bullying, as one of the worst forms of violence against children, but also for any form of violence against children, which does not necessarily have to be systematic.

Liability for bullying in Ukraine

In Ukraine, liability for bullying is defined in Article 173-4 of the Code of Administrative Offences, according to which bullying is punishable by a fine of up to 1,700 hryvnias or community service for up to 40 hours.

In the event of repeated bullying within a year or by a group of persons, the fine is up to 3,400 hryvnias or community service for up to 60 hours.

If the bullying was committed by children under the age of 16, their parents are liable. The penalty for parents is similar to the one above.

Special attention should be paid to the responsibility of the head of an educational institution for not reporting cases of bullying to the police. Thus, for concealing the fact of bullying, the head of an educational institution faces a fine of up to 1,700 hryvnias or corrective labour for up to one month with a deduction of up to twenty percent of their earnings.

This focus by lawmakers on those responsible for educational institutions is not accidental, as the Procedure for Responding to Cases of Bullying, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 1646 of 28 December 2019, in the event of receiving a report or notification of a case of bullying, the head of the educational institution is responsible not only for notifying the police, but also at least one of the parents, the child welfare service, the social services centre for families, children and young people, if necessary, call an emergency (ambulance) medical team to provide emergency medical care, and also convene a meeting of the commission for the consideration of the case of bullying (harassment) (hereinafter – the commission) no later than within three working days from the date of receipt of the application or report.

Failure to fulfil this obligation by the head of the educational institution is grounds for bringing him or her to disciplinary responsibility.

Bullying may constitute a criminal offence if it leads to serious consequences for the victim. In such cases, the actions of the guilty persons may be classified under the articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in particular Article 125 (intentional minor bodily injury), Article 126 (beatings and torture), Article 127 (torture).

A particularly serious case is when systematic bullying leads a person to commit suicide or attempt suicide – such actions are covered by Article 120 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

We should not forget about civil liability, which is aimed at protecting the honour and dignity of the victim of bullying, as well as paying moral compensation.

Timely and professional response to bullying is essential for protecting the rights of a child. By contacting the lawyers in Kyiv of First Legal, you will receive the most comprehensive and detailed consultation, as well as professional legal services in Ukraine regarding what to do about bullying and how to protect your child. Fill out the application form on our website or simply call us at: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

The issue of the age of criminal responsibility is one of the key issues in criminal law, as it is directly related to a person’s level of mental and social maturity, their ability to understand the significance of their actions and to control them. The legislator proceeds from the need to strike a balance between protecting society from criminal offences and the principle of humanism towards minors.

General age of criminal responsibility in Ukraine.

According to Article 22 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the general age of criminal responsibility is 16 years. This means that a person who has reached the age of 16 can be held criminally responsible for any crime provided for by the Criminal Code of Ukraine, provided that the elements of a criminal offence are present and the person is sane.

This approach is in line with international standards, in particular the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which allows minors to be held criminally liable, but subject to special guarantees and procedures.

Lowered age of criminal responsibility.

At the same time, the law provides for a list of particularly dangerous acts for which criminal responsibility begins at the age of 14. These include, in particular:

• intentional murder;
• intentional grievous bodily harm;
• rape and other serious crimes against sexual freedom;
• theft, robbery, assault;
• terrorist crimes;
• intentional destruction of property under aggravating circumstances, etc.

The logic of the legislator is that at the age of 14, a person is capable of understanding the social danger of such actions and anticipating their consequences.

Features of criminal responsibility of minors.

Although minors can be held criminally responsible, special rules apply to them: a limited list of punishments (for example, life imprisonment does not apply); wider use of educational measures; mandatory participation of a defence lawyer; consideration of the child’s living conditions and level of development when imposing punishment.

The purpose of criminal liability of minors is not only punishment, but above all correction and resocialisation.

Criminal liability of children under 14 years of age.

A person under the age of 14 is not subject to criminal liability, regardless of the severity of the act committed. However, this does not mean that the state will not respond at all. The following measures may be applied to such children:

• compulsory educational measures;
• social and psychological assistance;
• work with the family and guardianship authorities.

In addition, parents or legal representatives may be held civilly liable for damage caused by minors.

Thus, in Ukraine, criminal liability generally applies from the age of 16; from the age of 14 for certain serious and particularly serious crimes; and up to the age of 14, criminal liability is excluded, but educational and social measures are possible. This approach aims to combine the principles of justice, protection of victims’ rights and humane treatment of juvenile offenders, with a focus on their further social adaptation.

If you have any questions related to criminal liability, our criminal lawyers in Ukraine will help you understand the situation, provide the necessary legal assistance and ensure the protection of your rights and interests at all stages. Contact our law firm for legal services in Ukraine our team provides high-quality legal services in the Ukrainian market and has practical experience in resolving complex legal issues.

A TCC search is not a criminal search by the police. It is a search related to failure to appear in response to a summons, violation of military registration rules, or failure to undergo a medical examination. Information about “WANTED” in the “Reserve+” app does not appear instantly, but after a certain time after the relevant data has been entered by TCC employees.

You can find out if a person is wanted by the TCC using:

• the “Reserve+” app, To do this, you need to download the official “Reserve+” app to your phone and go through the authorisation process. The electronic military registration document will show the status “Wanted” or “TCK wanted: violation of military registration” (a red “Wanted” banner will appear on the phone screen);
• the “Dія” app or the “Dія” web portal for public services, by going to the “Military Registration Document” section and generating an electronic military registration document (e-MRD). If there are any violations, a corresponding mark or message will appear;
• at a National Police station, by going in person with your passport to the nearest station, where police officers can check the information in the wanted persons database;
• by contacting a lawyer in Kyiv, who will obtain the necessary information for you within 5 (five) working days by means of an адвокатський запит;
• a personal visit to the TCC: the least recommended method, as there is a high risk of detention if you are wanted.

For more detailed advice on the concept of “TCK WANTED” and how to remove the WANTED status and avoid TCK fines, we recommend that you seek legal services from the professionals at the First Legal Ukraine law firm, who will help you!

Fill out the application form on the website right now or call one of the following numbers: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

Dear partners and colleagues!

On the eve of Christmas and New Year 2026, we sincerely thank you for your trust, mutual understanding and joint work throughout the year that is coming to an end.

These festive days are a great opportunity to wish you warmth, peace and harmony in your homes, as well as good health, inner balance and confidence in tomorrow. May the New Year open up new opportunities, bring balanced decisions, interesting projects and partnerships that will contribute to development and growth.

We wish that 2026 will be a year of positive changes, professional achievements and good events for you and your loved ones.

 

Sincerely,

the team of Persha Yuridichna LLC

 

We also inform you about our work schedule:

25/12, 31/01 and 01/01 – days off

In this article, we would like to draw your attention to the time limits for bringing administrative liability. These time limits are often violated, and citizens are unjustifiably brought to administrative liability.

General time limit for bringing administrative liability

Article 38 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (hereinafter referred to as the CUAO) defines the time limits for imposing administrative penalties.

In cases considered by the court, the general time limit for bringing administrative liability is two months from the date of the offense. If the offense is ongoing, this period is two months from the date of its discovery. For cases considered by the court, as a general rule, the period for bringing administrative liability is three months from the date of its commission or the date of discovery (in the case of an ongoing offense). However, according to current legislation, there are exceptions to the general rule when the period for bringing administrative liability is more than 2-3 months from the date of its commission/discovery, which may reach one year from the date of its commission or more.

Thus, for violations by conscripts, persons liable for military service, and reservists of the rules of military registration (Article 210 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), as well as violations of the legislation on defense, mobilization preparation, and mobilization, for which liability is provided for in Article 210-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the period for bringing administrative liability is three months from the date of the offense (in the case of a continuing violation, from the date of detection), but no later than one year from the date of its commission.

If your rights are violated or you need legal advice, you can contact our qualified lawyers in Kyiv. We will provide professional legal support and comprehensive explanations regarding your question.

Special term for bringing administrative liability

Please note that the special term for bringing administrative liability may range from six to twelve months.

Thus, in cases of domestic violence and violence under Articles 173-2 and 173-6 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, administrative penalties may be imposed within six months from the date of the relevant offense.

In cases of offenses related to corruption and petty theft of another person’s property (Article 51 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), administrative penalties may be imposed within six months from the date of their discovery, but no later than two years from the date of their commission.

For offenses related to illegal crossing or attempted illegal crossing of the state border of Ukraine (Article 204-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) and violation of the procedure for entry into and exit from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (Article 204-2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), administrative penalties may be imposed within three months from the date of their discovery, but no later than one year from the date of their commission, and in the case of such offenses committed by foreigners or stateless persons in respect of whom a decision on forced return or forced expulsion from Ukraine has been taken in accordance with the procedure established by law, within the time necessary for their departure from Ukraine, but no later than the deadline specified by law for the departure of these persons from Ukraine or ensuring their forced expulsion from Ukraine.

For driving vehicles while intoxicated, for which liability is provided for in Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, an administrative penalty may be imposed within one year from the date of its commission.

For committing offenses related to violations of procurement legislation, for which liability is provided for in Parts 3-6 of Article 164-14 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, an administrative penalty may be imposed within one year from the date of its discovery, but no later than two years from the date of its commission.

For offenses related to failure to comply with the lawful requirements of a People’s Deputy of Ukraine, the Accounting Chamber, and members of the Accounting Chamber, for which liability is provided for in Parts 1-4 of Article 188-19 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, an administrative penalty may be imposed within one year from the date of its commission.

For offenses involving violation of the right to information and the right to appeal, for which liability is provided for in Parts 12-13 of Article 212-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, administrative penalties may be imposed within one year from the date of the offense.

Also, in the event of the closure of criminal proceedings, but if the actions of the offender show signs of an administrative offense, administrative penalties may be imposed no later than three months from the date of the decision to close the criminal proceedings.

Terms of disciplinary liability

Article 15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for the liability of military personnel and other persons subject to disciplinary statutes for committing administrative offenses. Military personnel, conscripts, and reservists during training, as well as other persons belonging to this category, are persons in command positions in the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, rank and file and senior officers of the State Criminal Enforcement Service of Ukraine, the Civil Protection Service, the State Bureau of Investigations, and police officers are liable for administrative offenses under disciplinary statutes.

Disciplinary penalties shall be imposed no later than 10 days from the date when the commander became aware of the offense, and in the case of an official investigation, within one month from the date of its completion. However, penalties cannot be imposed after 6 months from the date of detection of the offense.

Taking into account the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, according to which no one can be held legally responsible twice for the same offense, as well as the provisions of the Code of Administrative Offenses, according to which administrative responsibility for offenses arises only if these violations do not entail criminal responsibility, it is currently impossible to hold a military serviceman administratively liable under Article 172-11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (unauthorized absence from a military unit) during the period of martial law, because during martial law, unauthorized absence from a military unit or place of service by a military personnel is subject exclusively to criminal liability under Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

If you have been unjustifiably brought to administrative responsibility and wish to appeal these decisions on the imposition of fines, you can contact our law firm.

For more detailed legal advice on the terms of administrative liability, we recommend that you seek legal services in Ukraine from the professionals at the Persha Yuridichna law firm, who will help you!

Fill out the application form on the website right now or call one of the following numbers: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

We would like to draw the attention of readers, their relatives and loved ones who serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and military personnel to the increased liability of military personnel for unauthorized absence from military service (hereinafter – UAS).

Thus, military personnel who have deserted their military units or places of service or deserted before May 10, 2025 (the date of entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Procedure for Military Service by Certain Categories of Military Personnel During Martial Law” of April 30, 2025, No. 4392-IX) and who voluntarily reported for duty no later than August 30, 2025, could be reinstated in military service under a simplified procedure.

Please note: for more detailed advice, please contact our lawyers in Kyiv. Our specialists have extensive experience in resolving such cases

Simplified return procedure

The simplified procedure consisted in the fact that  a military serviceman who committed a criminal offense before May 10, 2025, had the opportunity to return to military service before August 30, 2025, through the “Army+”, choosing a reserve (other) military unit without bringing the serviceman to criminal responsibility. In this case, the serviceman would resume receiving monetary, food, clothing, and other types of support and social guarantees.

At the same time, if a serviceman who committed desertion after May 10, 2025, could only return to the military unit he left, and reinstatement to service could take much longer.

However, after August 30, 2025, the simplified mechanism for voluntary return to service for military personnel who committed desertion ended.

Strengthening responsibility for desertion

From now on, desertion during martial law for unauthorized absence from a military unit or place of service by a serviceman, as well as failure to report for duty on time without valid reasons for more than three days, will result in criminal liability under Part 5 of Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which means imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years.

Please note that the liability provided for in parts 1-4 of Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine applies to offenses committed in peacetime.

Previously, for example, for unauthorized absence from a military unit or place of service by a conscript, as well as failure to report for duty on time without valid reasons in the event of dismissal from the unit, appointment or transfer, failure to report from a business trip, vacation or medical facility for more than three days, but not more than a month, a serviceman could be punished by detention in a disciplinary battalion for up to two years or imprisonment for up to three years.

Administrative liability for desertion applies only in peacetime if the serviceman was absent for up to three days.

During martial law, desertion is a criminal offense for which much more severe punishment is provided.

Thus, under martial law, administrative liability (arrest in a guardhouse for up to 10 days or a fine of 8,500 to 17,000 UAH) does not apply.

Please note that for desertion, a serviceman loses additional remuneration for the month in which the violation occurred and for the entire period of unauthorized absence from the unit.

The command of the military unit may remove the serviceman from the personnel lists, dismiss him from his position, and suspend the payment of monetary allowance in connection with desertion.

And these are not all the measures that can be applied to military personnel who have left their military unit without permission; disciplinary measures may also be applied to military personnel.

Draft laws on unauthorized absence from military service being considered by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Currently, the Verkhovna Rada is considering Bill No. 13260 “On Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine Regarding Liability for Criminal Offenses Related to Unauthorized Absence from Military Units or Places of Service under Martial Law,” which concerns the liability of military personnel for unauthorized absence from their unit and desertion (UAU), and which was voted on in the first reading by 277 parliamentarians on September 4, 2025.

If this bill is adopted in the near future, it proposes:

• to remove the provision (part five of Article 401 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) that allowed cases of unauthorized absence from the unit or desertion committed for the first time during martial law to avoid liability in the event of voluntary return to service;
• add a new paragraph to the transitional provisions of the Criminal Code defining the grounds for exemption from liability for military personnel who committed such offenses for the first time but voluntarily returned or are already serving;
• amend the articles of the Criminal Procedure Code and regulate the conditions and procedure for exempting military personnel from criminal liability in cases where there are grounds for doing so.

We draw readers’ attention to the fact that there will be no “mitigating circumstances” for deserters and AWOLs after the adoption of this law. After the final adoption of the law, courts will not be able to apply mitigating provisions for deserters or POWs. In particular, the provision of part 5 of Article 401 of the Criminal Code, which previously allowed for exemption from liability for a first offense under certain conditions, will be repealed. Current legislation already prohibits imposing penalties below the minimum threshold or giving suspended sentences for such war crimes. Therefore, it is now impossible to avoid actual imprisonment—the state has chosen a course of irreversible punishment.

For more detailed legal advice on liability for war crimes and the protection of military personnel from the arbitrariness of the judicial system, we recommend that you seek legal services in Ukraine from the professionals at the law firm “First Legal”. They will help you! Fill out the application form on the website right now or call one of the following numbers: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

The team of First Legal warmly congratulates Ukrainians on the great holiday – Independence Day!

This holiday symbolizes freedom, strength of spirit, and the aspiration for a better future.

We wish you health, unity, and love for our country that unites us all!

The military aggression of the Russian Federation has contributed to the emigration of Ukrainian citizens abroad, with some citizens planning to purchase real estate there.

This has led to questions from readers about how much money can be safely taken abroad in cash or on a bank card.    

To declare funds at the border, you must follow the official procedure, which depends on the country you are leaving or traveling to.

Leave a request

In Ukraine (upon entry or exit), you can carry cash in an amount of up to €10,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies/metals) without filling out a written declaration, but this does not exclude the possibility of being checked.

Please note that if a family of three is traveling, the limit of €10,000 applies to each person, including children. However, each person must physically cross the border with their own funds.

When crossing the border, if the currency is different from the euro, you must calculate the amount in euros at the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Ukraine on the day of crossing the border.

If the amount is less than the equivalent of €10,000, you can go through the “green corridor” without declaring it, or if the funds are on a bank card (the amount on the bank card does not exceed €10,000 and does not need to be declared).

If the amount of funds is equal to or exceeds 10,000 euros, you must fill out a declaration and submit it to the customs authorities (the declaration form for cross-border movement has been approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 203 of February 27, 2019 “Certain issues of cross-border movement of currency values by individuals”). The declaration form can be printed in advance and filled out by hand before crossing the border so that you do not waste extra time filling it out or obtaining a form at the border. Funds held on a bank card exceeding EUR 10,000 must also be declared.

Each family member whose funds exceed €10,000 must complete a declaration. For children under 16, the declaration must be completed by a legal representative or one of the parents. 

There are no legal restrictions on the maximum amount of money that can be taken out of Ukraine.

Many readers have questions: how to declare funds?

First of all, you need to fill out a customs declaration form, indicating the total amount of funds being transported by the person, and pass through the “red corridor” at the border, providing explanations and supporting documents on the origin of the funds, indicating the purpose of the transfer (purchase of real estate, medical treatment, etc.) and providing your passport details.

The main documents confirming the origin of funds may include:

• Real estate purchase and sale agreements in Ukraine and bank statements confirming the receipt of funds from the sale of real estate;
• Receipts for withdrawing money from a bank card or documents confirming the exchange/purchase of currency, precious metals, etc.

Note:

Please note that documents confirming cash withdrawals from a bank are valid for 90 days from the date of withdrawal.

What is considered cash?

• Cash.
• Traveler’s checks.
• Bonds, bills of exchange.
• Bearer checks.

If you are transporting precious metals or valuables, their value is also converted into euros at the NBU exchange rate and this amount must also be declared.

Responsibility for violation of customs rules

Part 1 of Article 471 of the Customs Code of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as the CC of Ukraine) provides for liability for failure to declare goods transported across the customs border of Ukraine by citizens, namely:

– for failure to declare currency values transported by citizens across the customs border of Ukraine, in an amount exceeding that permitted by Ukrainian law for their movement without written declaration, shall entail the imposition of a fine in the amount of 20% of the amount exceeding that permitted by Ukrainian law for the movement of currency values without written declaration, according to the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Ukraine on the day of the violation of customs rules.  

Part 2 of Article 471 of the Customs Code of Ukraine provides that failure to declare goods (except those specified in parts one and/or three of this article) transported across the customs border of Ukraine by citizens shall entail the imposition of a fine in the amount of 30 percent of the value of these goods.

Part 3 of Article 471 of the Customs Code of Ukraine provides that failure to declare goods (except for currency values) that are subject to prohibitions and/or restrictions established by law on import into the customs territory of Ukraine or export from this territory and which are transported by citizens shall entail the imposition of a fine in the amount of three hundred non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens with or without confiscation of such goods.

Please note that failure to declare or providing false information in the declaration may result in the blocking of funds, fines, or administrative liability.

Advice to readers for safe border crossing:

• Before traveling, check the current rules on the website of the customs service of the country you are traveling to and from.
• Prepare a complete set of documents before your trip.
• If the amount exceeds €10,000, fill out a customs declaration.
• If possible, use bank cards or cashless transfers – this reduces your risks to “0”.

If you are carrying large sums of money, it is best to consult with a lawyers in Ukraine  from our law firm and accountants who provide accounting services in Ukraine, who will help you avoid trouble and provide high-quality legal services, including all necessary measures to effectively resolve your issues.

The list of services provided by our lawyers in Kyiv, set out on this page, is not exhaustive and is for reference purposes only! 

For more detailed legal advice on the safe transfer of large sums of money that you plan to transport, please contact the professionals at the law firm in Ukraine “First Legal,” who will help you! Fill out the application form on the website right now or call one of the following numbers: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

Child support arrears can have serious consequences for the debtor, including financial penalties, restrictions on rights, and even criminal liability. It also affects the ability to travel abroad, obtain a driver’s license, and dispose of property. 

You can find out whether you have any child support arrears in Ukraine online using the following resources:

1. Through the Unified Register of Debtors, website: erb.minjust.gov.ua/#/search-debtors, this can be done online, free of charge.

To do this, you need to go to the website of the Unified Register of Debtors, which is the official database of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine containing information about persons who have arrears in alimony payments. To do this, the debtor must enter their surname, first name, and patronymic, as well as their date of birth on the website, which will allow the debtor to be accurately identified. If a person has child support arrears, they will be listed in this register.

2. Through the Diia portal (online), website: id.diia.gov.ua, you can open enforcement proceedings to collect child support arrears.

To do this, you need to install the app on your phone, and the debtor must be authorized in the “Dія” system via Banking or via a qualified electronic signature (QES).

You can find out about alimony arrears online in the “Dія” system in the “Servers” section under the link “Enforcement proceedings.”

3. Through the online enforcement proceedings office at: asvpweb.minjust.gov.ua/#/search-debtors by entering the ID (login and password) specified in the decision to open enforcement proceedings.

Log in via the link “Access of parties to enforcement proceedings” by entering the registration number of the enforcement proceedings in the automated enforcement proceedings system and the access identifier specified in the decision to open enforcement proceedings. The search results will show the amount of debt and information about debts to state/private enforcement agents and the measures taken by the enforcement agent (seizures).

Please note that the amount of debt may differ from the actual amount. To verify this, you need to check with the state/private enforcement officer in charge of the enforcement proceedings.

To clarify the information, the person may contact the State Enforcement Service or a private enforcement agent in person or through the electronic office of enforcement proceedings, submitting a request for information on the amount of arrears in alimony or providing supporting documents confirming the payment of alimony.  

4. Through the chatbot or the Open Data Bot service at opendatabot.ua/registry, download the bot in Telegram or Viber and enter your last name, first name, and patronymic, date of birth (you can also use your taxpayer identification number in the mobile app). The bot will show whether the person is listed in the register of alimony debtors. You can obtain this information online via your phone by downloading this chatbot.

Please note that the information received will not include the amount of debt, but only the presence or absence of the debtor in the register of alimony debtors.  

For more detailed information about the amount of alimony arrears, if you do not have an identifier, you can submit a corresponding application (letter) by post or email to the enforcement service (private enforcement agent) handling the enforcement proceedings for obtaining the specified information.

The debtor and/or the claimant may also apply through their representative (family lawyer) with a lawyer’s request to the enforcement service or private enforcement agent to obtain information (certificate) about the amount of arrears in alimony payments or the absence thereof.

Please note that the certificate received regarding the amount of arrears in alimony payments is valid for 30 days from the date of its issuance.

Our law firm in Ukraine will help you find out the actual status of alimony payments by contacting the enforcement service and/or private enforcement agent in charge of the enforcement proceedings with a lawyer’s request. This will help you obtain the necessary information as quickly as possible. Please note that a response to a lawyer’s request is provided within 5 working days, and your request may be considered within 30 days.

Please note that regular payment of alimony and verification with the enforcement service will help the debtor avoid unnecessary trouble and litigation to challenge the unlawful actions (inaction) of a state/private enforcement officer.

If you have any doubts about the absence of arrears in alimony payments, it is better to consult a lawyer at our law firm, who will help you avoid trouble and provide high-quality legal services, including all necessary measures for the effective resolution of your issues.

The list of our services on this page isn’t complete and is just to give you an idea!  For more detailed legal advice on the payment of alimony and the possible legal consequences of non-payment, please contact the lawyers in Ukraine at the First Legal law firm in Kyiv, who will be happy to help you! Fill out the application form on the website right now or call one of the following numbers: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89

What is a court order and when is it issued?

Court orders date back to Ancient Rome. Praetorian interdicts are considered to be the prototype of modern court orders. Following the consideration of a case (causae cognitio) by a praetor, the latter issued an interdict (order) obliging the defendant to comply with an unconditional injunction. The interdict could be challenged without leaving the praetor’s court by requesting the appointment of a judge. In such a case, the application was considered by a judge, who could either confirm the interdict or revoke it.

The idea of a simplified procedure for considering cases was adopted by European medieval states and has survived to the present day.

Today, a court order is a special form of court decision issued by a court following the consideration of cases concerning the recovery of small amounts of money. At the same time, there must be no dispute regarding the amounts that the claimant is seeking to recover, i.e., it is assumed that the debtor does not dispute either the existence of the debt or the amount of the debt, and the court, when considering the claims in summary proceedings and issuing a court order, does not examine the merits of the claims made by the claimant.

It should be noted that the law does not provide a clear definition of “small amount,” but judicial practice, as a rule, equates it to “minor cases” and limits it to thirty times the minimum subsistence level (as of 2025, this amount is 90,840 hryvnias). At the same time, for certain categories of cases, the state has directly established a limit on “insignificant amounts,” with special restrictions applying to the payment of alimony and claims against legal entities or individual entrepreneurs.

In what cases can a court order be issued?

In addition to the amount limit, the law also limits the list of claims for which a court order may be issued. These claims include:

1) a claim for the recovery of wages and average earnings accrued but not paid to an employee for the period of delay in payment;

2) a claim for compensation for the costs of searching for the defendant, debtor, child, or the debtor’s vehicles;

3) a claim for the recovery of arrears for the payment of housing and communal services, electronic communication services, television and radio broadcasting services, taking into account the inflation index and 3 percent per annum accrued by the claimant on the amount of the arrears;

4) a claim for the recovery of alimony in the amount of one quarter for one child, one third for two children, for three or more children – half of the earnings (income) of the person paying alimony, but not more than ten subsistence minimums for a child of the corresponding age for each child, if this claim is not related to the establishment or contestation of paternity (maternity) and the need to involve other interested persons;

5) a claim for the recovery of child support in a fixed amount of 50 percent of the subsistence minimum for a child of the corresponding age, if this claim is not related to the establishment or contestation of paternity (maternity) and the need to involve other interested persons;

6) a claim for the return of the cost of goods of inadequate quality, if there is a court decision that has entered into legal force establishing the fact of the sale of goods of inadequate quality, adopted in favor of an indefinite circle of consumers;

7) a claim against a legal entity or individual – entrepreneur to recover debt under a contract (other than for the provision of housing and communal services, electronic communications services, television and radio broadcasting services) concluded in writing (including electronic form), if the amount of the claim does not exceed one hundred times the minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons.

The court shall consider the application for a court order within five days of receiving information about the registered place of residence (stay) of the individual debtor. If the debtor specified in the application for a court order is a legal entity or individual entrepreneur, the court shall consider the application within five days of its receipt.

In this case, the application for a court order is considered without a court hearing and without notifying the applicant and the debtor. The court order itself is an enforceable document that can be presented to the enforcement authorities.

In such situations, we recommend seeking professional assistance from our law firm in Ukraine, with experienced lawyers in Kyiv who have expertise in summary proceedings. Qualified legal advice will help you prepare your application correctly and avoid procedural errors. An experienced lawyer will ensure that your interests are properly represented in court and increase your chances of a positive outcome.

Procedure for appealing a court order

As mentioned above, a court order is a special form of court decision.

This feature is manifested not only in the conditional scope of its issuance, in restrictions on the amounts and categories of cases for which a court order may be issued, but also in the peculiarities of its cancellation, since a court order, unlike a court decision, is not subject to appeal.A court order may be revoked by the same court that issued it, for which purpose a corresponding application for revocation of the court order must be filed with the court.

This application may be filed within fifteen days of the date of delivery of a copy of the court order to the debtor. It should be noted here that the court, together with the court order, must send a copy of the application for the issuance of a court order and the documents attached to such application.

The application for revocation of the court order shall be accompanied by a document confirming payment of the court fee (0.05 of the minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons, which as of 2025 is 151.40 hryvnia), a request for the restoration of the missed deadline (if the application for the revocation of the court order is filed after the expiry of the fifteen-day period for filing such an application) and a document confirming the powers of the debtor’s representative (if the application is filed by the debtor’s representative).

The submission of a duly executed application for cancellation of a court order within the specified time limit is an unconditional ground for the court to issue a ruling cancelling the court order.

At the same time, court orders for the recovery of alimony cannot be canceled by the court that issued them. The debtor under such a court order may either file a claim for a reduction in the amount of alimony in general proceedings or file an application for a review of the case on the basis of newly discovered circumstances.

Also, at the request of the claimant or the debtor, the court may declare the court order unenforceable in whole or in part.

The grounds for recognizing an enforcement document as unenforceable in whole or in part are the court’s finding that the court order was issued in error or if the debt is wholly or partially extinguished due to its termination, voluntary performance, or other reasons.

The cancellation of a court order is a process that, on the one hand, is formalized by a single application, but on the other hand, is a responsible step that requires professional knowledge and skills. After all, the submission of an improperly executed application for the cancellation of a court order will result in its return by the court without consideration and complicate the appeal of the court order in the future.

If a court order has been issued against you, please contact the lawyers of the First Legal Law Firm by filling out the application form on our website or by calling us at: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

Perhaps the most common category of cases is debt collection from a counterparty in Ukraine (your buyer, customer, etc.). This category of cases is fairly typical and straightforward, provided that the key points that are important for this category of cases are taken into account and followed.

In this category of cases, it is important to pay attention to the following key elements:

1. The current status of the debtor
2. The statute of limitations
3. Documents confirming the relevant business transaction that gave rise to the receivable (sale/delivery of goods, provision of services, performance of work, etc.).

Let us consider each of these key elements in more detail.

Current status of the debtor

It is very important to find out whether your debtor is in the process of termination/liquidation of the enterprise in Ukraine or liquidation of the individual entrepreneur, because then it is important not to miss the deadline within which it is possible to apply to the debtor to satisfy your claims (as a creditor) or to the debtor’s successor (if applicable during termination).

It is equally important to check the counterparty (debtor) who has not paid you for goods delivered or services provided/work performed, etc. in the Unified Register of Debtors, which will allow you to find out whether your counterparty is a debtor in other cases and whether there are any active enforcement proceedings against such debtor and their number.

It would also be useful to check whether your debtor is involved in other legal disputes and in what capacity (as a claimant or debtor).

All of the above measures are necessary if you want the process of collecting receivables from your debtor to be realistic and truly effective, rather than becoming a process “for the sake of the process.”

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations is the period within which a person may apply to a court to protect their civil rights or interests. The general statute of limitations is three (3) years, calculated from the date when the person became aware or could have become aware of the violation of their rights or of the person who violated them.

Therefore, if your counterparty has violated its financial obligations to you for goods delivered, services provided, work performed, or other obligations, it is important not to delay in contacting the counterparty in a pre-trial manner or in court. For example, if you delivered a batch of goods to your counterparty on July 15, 2022, and the payment deadline under the contract was set within 2 (two) months after delivery (i.e., by September 15, 2022), then you, as the creditor (the party entitled to demand performance of the obligation from the debtor), have a breach of contract in terms of payments to you starting from July 16, 2022. That is, starting from July 16, 2022, the limitation period begins and you have 3 (three) years to contact the counterparty in a pre-trial procedure with a corresponding claim or with a corresponding lawsuit to the court and demand the recovery of the amount of debt for the delivered goods, annual interest and inflation increases, as well as other penalties, if specified in the contract (penalty, fine, etc.).

Documents confirming the relevant business transaction that gave rise to the debt

The main documents confirming the relevant business transaction (delivery of goods, performance of work, or provision of services) and which are mandatory for the recovery of debt from the counterparty both in pre-trial and in court proceedings are primary documents, i.e., the relevant delivery note for the goods delivered or the act of acceptance and transfer of the services provided or work performed. This is the main document certifying the fact that you have performed the relevant transaction (action) and the fact that it has been accepted by the other party (buyer, customer, etc.).

It is important that the primary documents are drawn up in full compliance with the requirements of the current legislation (Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine “On Accounting and Financial Reporting in Ukraine”), namely, they contain such mandatory details as: the name of the document (form); the date of compilation; the name of the enterprise on behalf of which the document is drawn up; content and scope of the business transaction, unit of measurement of the business transaction; positions and surnames of persons responsible for the business transaction and its correct execution; personal signature or other data enabling identification of the person who participated in the business transaction. Such primary documents may be drawn up in paper or electronic form.

!!! Always pay attention to the powers of the persons who signed the primary document if this person is someone other than the head of the business entity. In this case, you must have a power of attorney or other document (order, etc.) granting such person the authority to accept and sign for the relevant goods, work, or services.

Of course, if you have a contract with your counterparty for the supply of goods, performance of work, or provision of services, this will only increase your chances of recovering penalties (penalties, fines) in addition to the amount of the debt, if such penalties are specified in the contract. After all, the contract specifies clear payment terms, penalties for late payment, etc.

!!! But even if you have not signed a contract with your counterparty, this does not mean that you will not be able to collect the debt from your counterparty. The main thing is that the primary documents confirming the fact of the relevant business transaction between the two parties have been signed.

Therefore, if your counterparty is actually operating, has not been terminated and is not in liquidation, and the statute of limitations has not expired, you can safely prepare a claim to collect the debt in a pre-trial procedure or immediately prepare a lawsuit.

Even if your counterparty is simultaneously involved in other court cases or is a debtor in enforcement proceedings, this does not prevent you from recovering the debt. To ensure a real mechanism for debt collection, there are measures to secure a claim (such as seizure of property and/or funds belonging to the defendant; prohibition of the defendant from performing certain actions; etc.), which will help to further guarantee the actual collection of the debt from the debtor in your favor in the future.

The attorneys and lawyers at Persha Yuridichna Law Firm in Ukraine have extensive and successful experience in debt collection cases. We are familiar with all the legal intricacies of this type of case, so we will be happy to provide you with legal advice or prepare a claim and/or a lawsuit for you to best protect your interests.

Fill out the application form on the website right now or call one of the following numbers: +38 (044) 35-35-164, +38 (067) 306-89-89, +38 (063) 45-85-448, +38 (099) 367-89-89.

State registration of property rights to real estate is the official recognition and confirmation by the state of the fact of the emergence of property rights to real estate and their assignment to a specific entity. The fact of registration of ownership of immovable property often needs to be confirmed in order to obtain certain administrative services, for example, when declaring a place of residence or performing legal acts with such immovable property. State registration of property rights is particularly important for owners who acquired these rights before 2013 (before the introduction of the State Register of Property Rights). Therefore, it is not advisable to postpone state registration of ownership of real estate.

The main law that regulates the procedure for state registration of property rights is the Law of Ukraine “On State Registration of Property Rights to Real Estate and Their Encumbrances.”

State registration of real rights to immovable property is carried out by state registrars of the executive bodies of village, settlement, and city councils or by notaries (state and private).

The exhaustive list of documents to be submitted for state registration depends on the type of real estate (building, land plot, apartment, etc.) and the grounds for its acquisition. This usually includes:

• a document establishing legal title (e.g., certificate of ownership of the dwelling, state act on land, purchase and sale agreement, etc.);
• a document confirming payment of the administrative fee;
• a document confirming the identity of the applicant;
• a document confirming the representative’s authority (if a representative is involved, for example, a notarized power of attorney).

Terms for state registration of ownership of immovable property: state registration of ownership and other property rights is carried out within a period not exceeding five working days from the date of registration of the relevant application.

An administrative fee is charged for registration. For state registration of ownership, an administrative fee of 0.1 of the minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons is charged. Higher administrative fees are set for shortened deadlines for consideration of submitted documents, namely:

• 1 minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons – within two working days;
• 2 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons – within one working day;
• 5 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons – within 2 hours.

Based on the results of state registration of property rights, the applicant receives a corresponding extract from the state register, the authenticity of which can be verified on the official website of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

If you have any additional questions regarding state registration of property rights to real estate, we recommend that you consult a lawyer in Ukraine (Kyiv). The lawyers in Ukraine at First Legal Law Firm in Ukraine will be happy to advise you on issues related to state registration of property rights and, if necessary, represent your interests and ensure the desired result.