Ukrainian judges and advocates discussed international disputes in London

In London, at the office of the international law firm Kennedys, a professional event was held as part of the Institutional Study Visit, dedicated to contemporary aspects of international commercial disputes and arbitration. Ukrainian judges and a group of Ukrainian advocates and attorneys took part in the event. The event was organized by Nataliia Hnezdilova, a member of the UNBA enforcement Committee, which ensured a high professional level of the program and a meaningful exchange of experience between Ukrainian and British experts. Leonid Tantsyura, the UNBA representative in the Republic of Austria (Innsbruck), also joined the discussion.

Oleg Shaulko, solicitor and partner at Kennedys, reported on the practical challenges in the consideration of investment and insurance disputes, highlighted current trends in international arbitration and court practice in the UK, and discussed the issues of interpreting arbitration clauses in contracts with an international element. Oleg spoke in detail about Kennedys' initiatives in cooperation with Ukrainian and British colleagues to advise stakeholders on changes in insurance regulation, reviewed the main legal conflicts between Ukrainian legislation and international standards, and explained how international practice can help Ukrainian lawyers prepare investment projects for Ukraine's recovery. He also noted the role of regular Kennedys events and the activities of Spilka.UK, which brings together over a thousand Ukrainian lawyers in the United Kingdom.

Christina Kostyushko, an advocate, solicitor, and certified arbitrator, works in three jurisdictions: Ukraine, France, and England. Christina spoke about the typical obstacles and procedural challenges that arise in international arbitration. Krystyna shared her own experience as an arbitrator in complex commercial disputes, gave examples of court practice in different jurisdictions, and provided practical recommendations for Ukrainian lawyers on organizing evidence, complying with procedural rules, and effectively interacting with foreign courts and arbitration institutions.

Oleksandr Chernykh, Ukrainian advocate and representative of the UNBA in the United Kingdom, emphasized the role of Ukrainian advocates in justice reform, discussed common challenges faced by advocates and judges, and highlighted the social mission of justice, which requires high professional standards. Oleksandr spoke in detail about the practical aspects of interaction between the Ukrainian and British judicial systems, analyzed the practice of enforcing judgments against the aggressor state, and emphasized the importance of the UK's experience for improving Ukrainian legal protection mechanisms.

During the question and answer session, participants discussed the admissibility of evidence, compliance with procedural rules, practical issues of damages recovery, and the possibility of using international mechanisms to enforce judgments in complex disputes. The event at Kennedys provided a platform for professional exchange of experience, development of tools for interaction, and deepening of cooperation between Ukrainian and British lawyers in the field of international arbitration and cross-border disputes.