New rules of the protection of Ukraine’s state interests in international jurisdictional bodies
On March 15, 2011 the new version of the Order of protecting the rights and interests of Ukraine during the disputes, before the foreign jurisdictional authorities in cases involving a foreign entity and Ukraine came in force. The Order was approved by the Decree of the President of Ukraine.
Piece! Ukraine is oriented to amicable settlement of arbitration cases
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine that is authorized to defend state interests in foreign courts and arbitration tribunals, currently is in the negotiation process for a peaceful settlement of 7 disputes with foreign investors, stated the Minister of Justice Oleksandr Lavrynovych in an interview to "Investgazeta" (Monday, March 14, 2011).
The Minister explained that in the process of developing strategies of protection of Ukraine's interests in every case of a dispute with a foreign investor Ministry comes primarily from the possibility of a peaceful settlement.
NO CONSUMER ARBITRATION IN UKRAINE – 2
On February 3 2011 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Law amending the Law “On Arbitration Courts” which excludes the consumers’ disputes (including those related to consumers of services of banks and credit unions) out of the competence of arbitration courts. In our previous articles we commented that initiative and discussed the main “pro” and “cons” of arbitration in consumer cases.
Posted by International Arbitration Team
A company’s charter may not contain an arbitration clause
Some years ago Ukrainian courts established the approach that the transfer of funds as a contribution of a participant to the statutory capital had to be considered as a kind of agreement, and the company’s charter reflected that agreement. Later that approach was changed.
Dear arbitration practitioners, be precise in specifying the name of an arbitral institution in a contract
With this post we continue the Ukraine – arbitration-friendly jurisdiction set of comments. In our previous posts we already warned arbitration practitioners, attorneys and solicitors who are dealing with drafting arbitration agreements so that they should be precise in specifying the name of an arbitral institution in a contract if the dispute somehow is connected to the Ukrainian jurisdiction. The reason why is that Ukrainian state courts are not trained in favor of arbitration and in many cases do not consider seriously the doctrine of competence-competence in international commercial arbitration.
On October 13, 2010 the Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled in case upon the petition of VKT ARDO LLC against the award of the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine issued in favor of Аrсеlоrmittal Аmbalaj Сеligі Sanауі ve Тісаrеt Аnоnіm Sіrkеtі against VKT ARDO LLC for app. USD 3 mln. Since I have no interest in that case I believe that I can share my opinion.
LCIA is banned by the Ukrainian court
Recently, Ukrainian economic courts have established a new practice, which hardly contributes to the attempts of Ukraine to become more friendly to arbitration. In the case Signus LLC vs SLAV Handel, Vertretung und Beteiligung AG and others the court of first instance forbade the defendants to apply to the London Court of International Arbitration.
A court is not obliged to read an arbitration clause
This is another post in the Ukraine – arbitration-friendly jurisdiction set of comments. The Highest Economic Court of Ukraine being a body that is responsible for elaboration of the unified court practice of resolution of commercial disputes in Ukraine, adopted the ruling that answers the question: “Is a court obliged to terminate proceedings if a dispute is based on a contract that contains valid arbitration clause?”
Enforcement of Arbitration Awards in Russia and Ukraine: Dream or Reality?
Recently we have reached one interesting publication “Enforcement of Arbitration Awards in Russia and Ukraine: Dream or Reality?”, prepared under the auspices of the American Bar Association, Section of International Law and the Center for Continuing Legal Education.
Though I do not completely agree with certain opinions of the authors (in some cases they sound too critically, I think) I recommend to read that material. Not only because some of the authors are my colleagues and acquaintances. The publication is full of practical situations illustrated by cases.
Intention to arbitrate or Pathological arbitration clause?
With this post we continue the Ukraine – arbitration-friendly jurisdiction set of comments. We already discussed the approach that was typical for Ukrainian courts concerning the validity and enforceability of ad hoc arbitration clauses till recent times. Ukrainian courts’ practice still is not a pro-arbitration one. However, there is the understanding of difference between a pathological arbitration clause and a poorly drafted clause which though may be rescued. 
Ad hoc arbitration
This is the second post in the Ukraine – arbitration-friendly jurisdiction set of comments after the post dedicated to Ukrainian “perception” of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
It may sound strange, but in some cases the practice of Ukrainian courts concerning recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitration awards is based not on laws and international treaties that specify international obligations of Ukraine to recognize and enforce the awards, but on domestic currency control rules and even tax legislation. Let the currency control rules be formally interpreted, which was the case during several years, and you may come to a ridiculous result: the monopoly of the International Commercial Arbitration Court and the Maritime Arbitration Commission at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry “on the market” of resolution of disputes where one party is a Ukrainian entity.
Ukraine – arbitration-friendly jurisdiction. Stockholm
Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
There are not many cases in public domain which may help us to determine all significant issues of recognition and enforcement of the awards of this world-renowned arbitration institution.
In case No. 22/200 the economic court of Donetsk Region adopted decision on 13.01.2010 on termination of the consideration of case since the parties agreed to arbitrate in “Arbitration Court of Stockholm” (not the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC)). Thus, you may think that Ukrainian courts are liberal in their attitude to such details as the name of an arbitration institution.
New category!
Ukraine - arbitration-friendly jurisdiction
There are countries whose legal system is very friendly to arbitration. Though Ukraine is a party to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 for a long time, we may find the statements of reputable lawyers that Ukrainian court system is not friendly to arbitration.
There are no grounded arguments against the Ukrainian arbitration legislation. Ukraine is a UNCITRAL Model Law country and a member of all major international arbitration treaties. Its International Arbitration Law was drafted based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. The main issue which created Ukraine the reputation of a country unfriendly to arbitration is the disputable practice of recognition and enforcement of arbitration awards by Ukrainian courts.
Herewith we start the discussion whether Ukrainian court system is friendly to arbitration. However, we will share the information concerning the court “attitude” to a particular arbitration institution (LCIA, SCC, ICC, etc.) so that you can have the full picture on what arbitration forums are “in respect” of Ukrainian courts. We will provide you with the details of the descision so that you can apply the court practice properly.
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