INTEGRITES published free-access electronic guidebooks on taxation of Ukrainians relocated abroad because of the war. The bilingual knowledge product developed by the Tax and Customs practice on a pro bono basis covers five jurisdictions with the largest number of the registered Ukrainian refugees – Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Spain.
Supervised by partner Viktoriya Fomenko with senior associate Vitalii Labadin as project leader, the team has carried out comprehensive research of the taxation legislation in these jurisdictions and prepared the full-scope analysis of tax implications for Ukrainian refugees relocated to them. The guidebooks cover the peculiarities of tax residency, risks of double taxation, income tax specifics, registration with the official authorities. The firm’s team has also completed the translation of the English versions of the guidebooks into Ukrainian.
Lawyers from Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek (Germany), DZP (Poland), CREDIS Law (Slovakia), PRK Partners (Czech Republic) and Garrigues (Spain) have contributed to the project on a pro bono basis by complementing the sections developed by INTEGRITES with the additional parts about taxation in their respective jurisdictions, or by sharing their expert comments and amendments to those sections.
The guidebooks are available in English and Ukrainian and can be accessed via link: https://www.integrites.com/uploads/tax_guide_2023_eng.html
Viktoriya Fomenko, Head of Tax and Customs: “This project has a special meaning to our team as we share our expertise with fellow Ukrainians – individuals and companies who experience the hardest challenge in their lives and need basic legal assistance. This initiative is our way to help them, and we are extremely thankful to our peers for their contributions and supportive attitude which made the project possible”.
INTEGRITES Advised American University Kyiv on Real Estate Issues Related to Opening Campus in Kyiv
INTEGRITES acted as a legal counsel to the American University Kyiv (AUK) on real estate issues related to opening a campus in the renovated Kyiv River Station.
In particular, the firm assessed the current lease agreement and developed additional agreements to it in response to the changes in the building’s renovation plan. Additionally, the firm was heavily involved in negotiations pertaining to these additional agreements. The firm’s lawyers also provided legal analysis with regards to the arrangement of bomb shelters in order to ensure seamless educational process at the AUK.
The team working on the project comprised managing partner and head of Real Estate and Construction Dr. Oleksiy Feliv and senior associate Tetiana Storozhuk.
*American University Kyiv (AUK) is the first university in Ukraine based on American education standards through a partnership with Arizona State University. AUK campus in Kyiv opened its doors in May 2023 and turned the historical RiverPort building into a center of modern education, science and innovations.
INTEGRITES Became Signatory to the Ukraine Business Compact 2023
INTEGRITES signed Ukraine Business Compact 2023 – Principles for Ukraine’s long-term sustainable economic recovery, initiated by the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2023). The signing ceremony took place during the special event “From Principles to Action: Towards the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023” organized by the United Nations Global Compact Network Ukraine.
Ukraine Business Compact aims at consolidation of the business community around the mutual goal – reconstruction and revitalization of Ukraine and its post-war economy.
As a signatory, INTEGRITES commits to supporting the country’s recovery and reconstruction, to using every opportunity to share the team’s experience and expertise, and to engaging in pro bono work. The firm also commits to sharing values which form the basis of the Compact.
The Ukraine Business Compact will be officially presented at the URC 2023 in London, UK, on June 21-22, 2023.
Olena Perepelynska Becomes Founding Member and Board Member of the Arbitration Association of Central and Eastern Europe (ArbCEE)
Olena Perepelynska, partner and head of International Arbitration at INTEGRITES, became founding member and joined the board of the newly established Arbitration Association of Central and Eastern Europe (ArbCEE). The association has 26 founding members from 10 countries of the CEE region. The launch event took place on June 7, 2023, in Bratislava, Slovakia.
ArbCEE is the first independent and inclusive arbitration association developed by, and for, practitioners connected within the CEE region. Its primary goal is to provide a knowledge-sharing and networking platform for arbitration practitioners, to advance and facilitate the development of the arbitration and ADR community in Central and Eastern Europe.
ArbCEE will also strive to promote diversity and equal representation in international arbitration for practitioners from the CEE region through actively promoting and showcasing their skills, experience and expertise and through investing in up-and-coming talent.
The statement of the ArbCEE, inter alia, mentions that “Despite the significant pool of experienced arbitration practitioners in the CEE region, arbitrators from CEE are particularly underrepresented in international arbitration, even when compared to other developing regions of the world. ArbCEE is committed to addressing this disparity and to ensuring that users of arbitration and the global arbitration community can benefit from all the talent that the CEE region has to offer.”
Olena Perepelynska: “It’s a great inspiration to be among those who pave the way for the ArbCEE. Since 2012 when I became a founding member and a Board member of the Ukrainian Arbitration Association, I’ve served the goal of developing this national organization for the benefit of the Ukrainian arbitration practitioners and for Ukraine as a seat of arbitration. The experience consolidated in the UAA might be very useful on the regional level as well. I am happy I can go on both levels now, as regional cooperation and development offered by the ArbCEE might open plenty of new opportunities for arbitration practitioners from each jurisdiction of the region, including Ukraine”.
INTEGRITES Advised the EBRD on EUR 42 mln Loan to Cersanit S.A.
INTEGRITES acted as Ukrainian law counsel to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in connection with a €42,000,000 long-term senior loan for Cersanit S.A. to finance working capital needs and multiple investments in both Ukraine and Poland, including energy efficiency upgrades and modernization of production in Ukraine. The financing for Cersanit S.A. is part of the EBRD’s support for Ukraine struggling in the face of Russian invasion.
Cersanit S.A. is one of the leading manufacturing companies with Polish capital share in the European market. The Group’s principal business involves the manufacturing and distribution of products used to finish and equip bathrooms (sanitary ceramic products, shower cubicles, bathtubs, shower trays, bathroom furniture and accessories). The Cersanit Capital Group is active in Poland, Ukraine and other EU Member State markets.
INTEGRITES team advising the EBRD comprised partner Igor Krasovskiy (Kyiv), counsel Olena Savchuk (Kyiv) and senior associate Yuriy Korchev (Kyiv). The Polish, English and German law advice was provided by the Warsaw, London and Frankfurt offices of Norton Rose Fulbright.
INTEGRITES Provides Pro Bono Legal Advice to the Family of a Ukrainian Soldier Captured by the Russian army
Domestic Litigation team at INTEGRITES provides pro bono legal advice to the military personnel protecting Ukraine in the war against Russia, as well as to members of their families.
Since March 2022, dozens of families have already received legal aid. Among them – the family of a Ukrainian military serviceman who has allegedly been held captive by the Russians.
The soldier’s wife lost connection with him in March 2023 to find out later about his alleged captivity. This family has a son, also serving in the military, who required legal help after severe injury in the frontline. Our team consulted the soldier’s wife regarding the documentation of the fact and circumstances of his captivity, as well as regarding application for social benefits provided by the law for such cases. INTEGRITES has been also advising the couple’s son on the remuneration for medical treatment and rehabilitation, and on application for combatant status. Currently the family receives ongoing legal assistance from INTEGRITES. All services are provided on the pro bono basis.
Ukrainian military also address our team for assistance with various documents and state allowances, representation in courts and pre-trial dispute settlement, assistance with obtaining disability and combatant status, handling legal aspects of medical treatment and rehabilitation after injuries.
More about the pro bono initiative can be found via link.
The core team engaged in the initiative consists of partner and head of Domestic Litigation practice Oleksandr Onishchenko, associate Mykola Yerema, junior associate Fedir Vasylenko, and paralegal Viktoriia Bondar.
Oleksandr Onishchenko, partner: “Among the corporate volunteering projects in which my colleagues and I participate, pro bono advice to the military particularly stands out. It’s especially rewarding to know that our expertise and experience helps to change the lives of many people for the better. Throughout 2022 and until now, our team has devoted more than 200 hours of pro bono work to consulting and representing the interests of military personnel in courts and state bodies. This is our contribution to the victory of Ukraine and the well-being of those who risk their lives for it.”
Olena Savchuk Spoke at the 9th World Bank Group Global Affordable Housing Conference
Counsel Olena Savchuk took part in the 9th Global Affordable Housing Conference organized by The World Bank Group and held in its headquarters in Washington D.C., USA on May 31- June 2, 2023. The theme of the conference was “Looking ahead: unlocking access to affordable, green and resilient housing through innovation.”
On June 1, Olena Savchuk spoke in the panel session dedicated to innovative housing reconstruction in states affected by conflict or natural disaster, like Ukraine and Turkey. In her presentation, Olena elaborated on the challenges Ukraine is facing due to russian invasion, the progress the country has made to date in the field of innovation, and the opportunities for recovery of the Ukrainian housing sector during and after the war.
Olena emphasized the key role of re-housing on the path to quick and sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine. She also spoke about the role of the Rehousing Ukraine Initiative established by the Affordable Housing Institute (USA) and INTEGRITES (Ukraine) since June 2022 which acts as a platform for developing the strategy and bringing together various stakeholders of the housing policy in Ukraine.
The Global Affordable Housing Conference gathered offline around 300 public and private sector representatives – policy makers, researchers, entrepreneurs, financiers and development partners. The main goal of the event was to promote innovative ideas and cutting-edge solutions to build and finance affordable and green housing around the world.
Olena Savchuk: “As at 2023 Ukraine is facing an unprecedented challenge to return around 7 million of refugees back to their homes. Apart from that, affordable housing should be ensured for veterans who have fought for this country’s independence, and their family members. For revitalization of the Ukrainian economy the pivotal aspect lies in providing people with affordable and quality housing which also has to be safe and sustainable. I am sure that Ukraine has a unique opportunity to use innovation as the key element of such reconstruction.”
The presentation of Olena Savchuk is available here.
INTEGRITES supported Ukrainian Energy Transition Forum
Managing partner and head of Energy practice, Dr. Oleksiy Feliv, participated in the Ukrainian Energy Transition Forum which took place on April 20, 2023, in the UK.
Having gathered more than 200 attendees offline, at the Simmons & Simmons office in London, the event brought together key stakeholders – Ukrainian officials, private and state energy companies, renewables developers and their advisors, suppliers and financiers – to meet with their international counterparts to gain a clear assessment of the requirements and to formulate an action plan to build Ukraine’s energy infrastructure back better.
During three sessions the distinguished speakers have addressed the issues of the damage caused to the energy infrastructure of Ukraine during the war against Russia, the situation in Ukraine’s renewables industry and action needed to stimulate investment into it, as well as ways to facilitate Ukraine’s advancement towards becoming the key supplier of hydrogen to the European markets.
War-related risk insurance, financing opportunities already available and to be developed, technology and digitalisation of the energy sector in Ukraine have also been on the agenda.
Backed by INTEGRITES, Simmons & Simmons and DTEK as official sponsors, with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukrainian Hydrogen Council as official partners, the forum was organized by Strategy Council.
Oleksiy Feliv, Managing partner, moderator of the session An Overview of the Envisioned Structure of Ukraine’s Post-War Energy System: “The Ukrainian Energy Transition Forum became a successful platform for the like-minded people and organisations who, just as we at INTEGRITES, are committed to contribute to Ukraine’s rebuilding with their expertise and experience in the energy sector. This sector has the top priority in Ukraine’s rebuilding plan which is going to be green and inclusive. We are looking forward to starting some pilot projects still during the war.”
Dmytro Marchukov Spoke at the C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference in Geneva
Dmytro Marchukov, partner and Head of Cross-Border Litigation at INTEGRITES, took part in the 17th edition of the Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference organised by C5 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Dmytro spoke at the panel session on Multi-Jurisdictional Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery Trends: Priorities and Cross-Agency Coordination for Identifying Hidden or Undervalued Assets. The panel specifically focused on the coordination of efforts between authorities of the various states with the view to assist in recovery of assets by private creditors.
During his presentation, Dmytro Marchukov emphasized on the need for the international cooperation to enable private victims – Ukrainian and foreign ones – of the russian aggression against Ukraine to have their damages compensated out of the assets belonging to the russian federation and its alter egos (including the assets, which have already been frozen in various jurisdictions). He also described the progress, which has been achieved in this regard after russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine in February 2022.
Dmytro Marchukov: “When fraudsters and other perpetrators are not keen to compensate voluntarily the damages, which have been caused by their wrongdoings, private creditors typically have no other choice but to rely on the public agencies, which have the authority to investigate the wrongdoings, to prosecute the wrongdoers and to ultimately hold them accountable. In the ever-globalised world, efficient coordination between such agencies is crucial. That is not an exception when one has to seek compensation from a rogue sovereign like putin’s russia… and this is what adds great relevance to the discussion that we had among the speakers.”
For almost two decades, the C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference in Geneva gathers state officials, prominent lawyers, and other practitioners to discuss the hottest topics of investigating financial crime, efficient enforcement of sanctions, unwinding asset dissipation and restoring the justice through cross-border effort.