2021 was indeed an active year for the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU). It seems that antitrust enforcement did not slow down during another pandemic year but even, in fact, accelerated. The agency closed a number of investigations, having imposed million-dollar fines on players from a variety of markets. Below you may find the top trends in Ukrainian antitrust enforcement. They are worth keeping an eye on, especially for companies having or planning a business presence in Ukraine.

Nataliia Gorbal has joined Arzinger as a Partner on February 1, 2022, and will lead the firm’s Private Clients and Family Law practice.

Arzinger has successfully represented the interests of Shell in a labor dispute.

Arzinger has successfully defended the interests of Roust Ukraine in a labor dispute with a former employee.

Transport and infrastructure boutique Agreca law firm has joined Arzinger, which now has two additional Partners – Andrii Pidhainyi and Maryna Sharapa.

In 2021 Ukraine enacted a set of laws ("Diia City laws") aimed at introducing a legal framework as well as tax, social security, labour and certain other incentives for Ukrainian businesses that derive all or almost all their revenues from R&D and IT-related activities (also known as "DIIA CITY").

Arzinger has advised Siriusproject Lviv on the refinancing of the shopping and entertainment mall King Cross Leopolis in Lviv.

Contributed by Arzinger.

Arzinger has successfully represented the interests of international media conglomerate Viacom in an unfair competition case.

Arzinger has successfully represented Ceetrus Ukraine in a UAH 53 million VAT refund dispute before three court instances.

Cobalt has advised IBM in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the reorganization and separation of its managed infrastructure services business into Kyndryl, which will operate as an independent company.

According to Arzinger Managing Partner Timur Bondaryev, competition investigations, investment disputes, and white-collar crime matters have been keeping his team particularly busy these last few months. CEE Legal Matters sat down with him to learn more about the driving forces behind these areas in Ukraine.

Iurii Sukhov has joined Arzinger as a Partner and will lead the firm’s White Collar Crime practice together with Kateryna Gupalo and Oleksander Plotnikov. 

BPV Huegel has advised the Irish Zeus Packaging Group on the acquisition of Austrian-based food packaging company Petruzalek from Italian investment holding company Italmobiliare. Gattai, Minoli, Agostinelli & Partners and Pelzmann Gall Gross — the Austrian office of EY Law — advised the sellers on the transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approval. 

Arzinger has successfully represented Nufarm Ukraine in pre-trial and judicial appeals against tax notification decisions.

Arzinger has convinced the Board of the Appeals Chamber of Ukraine's Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture to recognize the "lifecell" trademark as well-known in Ukraine, thereby officially confirming the "high position of the lifecell brand" in the telecommunications services market.

Arzinger has successfully assisted with Water Empire Ukraine's appeal of a decision of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine involving the company’s alleged market violations.

Arzinger has advised the IFC on its loan to OTP Leasing in Ukraine.