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Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку The issue of men leaving Ukraine abroad in 2026 remains one of the most sensitive and high‑risk topics for those who plan to travel from Ukraine. In practice, problems arise not only because of the restrictions themselves, but also due to improperly drafted documents, lack of evidence of the legal ground or a wrongly chosen course of action. That is why preparation for departure must start not at the border, but much earlier — with a legal review of the situation. In many cases, a person is convinced that he has the right to leave, but at the border checkpoint it turns out that the documents are insufficient or they do not properly confirm the stated ground. In such a situation, even a lawful reason does not help if it cannot be proved quickly and clearly. Who is allowed to leaveIn 2026, the rules for men leaving the country remain tied to age, status and the existence of a lawful ground. Certain categories of men may cross the border without obstacles, but most conscription‑age men need proper documentary confirmation of their ground for departure. In practice, this means that mere intention or an oral explanation is not enough. You must have a full set of documents that corresponds exactly to your situation: family circumstances, medical treatment, studies, business trip, employment, accompanying a person, care, or another lawful ground. Why border crossing is refusedMost refusals arise for three reasons: absence of the required document, an error in its preparation, or a mismatch between the declared purpose of the trip and the actual data. In such situations, the border service acts strictly formally, and it is usually impossible to fix the problem “on the spot”. That is why we always recommend not waiting until the day of departure. If the documents have not been checked in advance, the risk of losing time, tickets, bookings and the very opportunity to travel becomes very high. Why consultation is needed before the tripWe recommend obtaining legal advice before departure and having your documents audited before the trip, not at the border, where in most cases the problem can no longer be solved. At the border a person has no resources for complex legal work: ready‑made documents, a clear legal position and a flawless set of evidence are needed there. A legal audit allows you, before departure, to: determine whether you have a lawful ground to cross the border; understand which documents are missing; identify weak points in your document set; reduce the risk of refusal; prepare in such a way that you do not have to explain everything “verbally” at the checkpoint. What we doWe provide comprehensive support to clients on issues of travelling abroad — from the initial assessment of the situation to preparation of documents for a specific legal ground. Where necessary, we help not only to understand whether departure is possible, but also to build a strong legal position that stands up to practical scrutiny. Our support includes: advice on the lawful ground for departure; pre‑trip document review; legal audit of risks; recommendations on how to remedy weak points; support in complex or disputed cases; analysis of a refusal and further strategy. Why this is cost‑effectiveIt is easier and cheaper to check everything in advance than to lose tickets, time, the opportunity to travel and your nerves later. In matters of travelling abroad, an error at the preparation stage almost always costs more than a proper consultation before departure. That is why we treat such cases strategically rather than formally: first we analyse the documents, then we assess the chances, and only after that we recommend moving forward. This gives the client not an illusion, but a real understanding of the situation. Contact us in advanceIf you are planning to travel abroad and want to avoid refusal, do not wait until the border crossing moment. Seek legal advice in advance, undergo a legal audit of your documents and prepare correctly. We will help you assess risks, review your documents and prepare for departure so that you do not have to solve problems at the last minute. If you have any questions or problems, please contact our lawyers for individual advice and professional legal assistance. Author: Ihor Yasko, Managing Partner at “WINNER” Law Firm, PhD in Law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvayosIccBo&t=3s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку When external money comes into a business at an early stage, a classic share purchase deal is often unnecessary – it is hard for both partners and the investor to value a company that has just appeared.In this case SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) becomes useful – a tool that allows the investor to give money now in exchange for the right to receive an equity stake later, when the company raises a proper round and a clear valuation appears. For founders, SAFE is a way to avoid sitting down at the negotiation table over valuation at a moment when the company has nothing to justify it with yet. For the investor, it is a way to enter early, accepting risk in exchange for potentially better terms in the future. But here too the devil is in the details that should be fixed in advance:cap – the maximum company valuation at which the SAFE converts into equity, even if the next round happens at a higher valuation; discount – the discount to the price of the next round at which the investor receives their stake; conversion trigger – the specific event that turns the SAFE into an actual equity stake: the next investment round, a sale of the company, or a particular date; priority of rights – what happens if the company has several SAFE agreements with different terms, and how they rank against each other upon conversion. SAFE is a flexible instrument, but that flexibility is also a risk. If the terms are not drafted clearly, founders may give away a larger stake than they planned, and the investor may receive less than expected. The key rule Both the partner agreement and SAFE work on the same principle: they move trust from the level of “we agreed verbally” to the level of “here is what is written, and everyone has signed it”.This is not about mistrust of each other. It is about choosing to trust consciously – knowing the rules of the game in advance instead of discovering them in the middle of a conflict or in court.If an issue is important enough to argue about after the business is already running and making money, it is important enough to discuss before a single hryvnia is invested.If you have any questions or problems, please contact our lawyers for an individual consultation and professional legal assistance.Author: Ihor Yasko, managing partner of Attorneys Union “Law Company ‘WINNER’”, PhD in Law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvayosIccBo&t=3s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку I have seen dozens of partnerships that fell apart not because of the market and not because of competitors. They collapsed because of silence. Two or three people decided to do business together, shook hands, registered a company – and never once sat down to honestly discuss who brings what, who owns the brand, and what happens if one of us wants to leave. Company registration is just a piece of paper. The real agreement happens earlier: when there is still no charter, no office, not even a name registered to anyone. Exactly at this moment you should close two documents that later save partnerships and money – a partner agreement and, if an external investor comes into the business, a SAFE. Partner agreement: the rules of the game before the game starts A partner agreement is not a legal formality for the record. It is an honest conversation translated into text. And it must contain answers to five questions that partners usually avoid, because they are uncomfortable. Where we are going. Before splitting percentages, it is worth checking whether the partners even see the same future. One wants a stable profitable business for years to come. Another wants fast growth and an exit in three years. Both options are fine. What is not fine is discovering the difference after a year of working together. One wants a company No. 1 in Ukraine and Europe, and the other wants a car and a house, and so on. Who brings what. Money, idea, time, expertise, contacts, reputation – all of these are different currencies, and partners rarely contribute the same amount in the same form. Record this honestly: who invests how much cash, who dedicates how many hours per week to operations, how a non‑cash contribution is converted into an equity stake. Without this rule, there will always be a partner who feels they work for two but are paid as for one. Who owns the brand. At the start, one person – most often the most “hands‑on” or the most driven – registers the trademark, domain, copyrights to the code or design. Simply because they had time to do it. And formally these assets become their personal property, even though everyone contributed. The rule is simple: everything created for the business must belong to the business from day one, not to the person who first hit the registration button. How profit is shared – and who bears losses. This is not one conversation but two. It is easy for partners to agree how to split the money when it already exists. They almost never agree who covers the cash gap when there is no money yet. And each has a different view on how to withdraw previous assets if the business does not take off. What happens if someone leaves. This is the most important and most commonly omitted clause. Partnerships end: burnout, shifting priorities, personal circumstances. The question is not whether a breakup will happen, but whether there is a scenario for that case. Is the share of the departing partner bought out, and according to what formula. Is there vesting – a mechanism under which the share vests gradually rather than being granted in full at once, so that a partner who leaves after two months does not own one third of the company forever. If you have any questions or issues, please contact our lawyers for individual consultation and professional legal assistance. Author: Ihor Yasko, managing partner of Attorneys Union “Law Company ‘WINNER’”, PhD in Law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку The Bureau of Economic Security has announced the referral to court of a criminal case concerning a scheme in which, according to the investigation, business activities were artificially distributed among several sole proprietors (FOPs) in order to minimise tax liabilities. According to BEB, this activity resulted in more than UAH 71 million of income being concealed. During the pre‑trial investigation, the person involved reimbursed UAH 10.6 million in taxes to the state budget. At the same time, it is important to understand that working through several FOPs in itself is not a violation of the law. Many Ukrainian companies use this model entirely lawfully. Problems arise when law‑enforcement and supervisory authorities believe that the actual way the business operates does not correspond to its legal structure. In such situations, businesses may face tax audits, additional assessments, searches and criminal proceedings. Every business structure is individual. What is safe for one enterprise may pose significant risks for another. That is why corporate and tax structures should be reviewed before questions arise from BEB, the State Tax Service or other law‑enforcement bodies. Law Firm WINNER provides services for proper business structuring, legal and tax audits of business models and helps minimise the risk of claims from BEB, the State Tax Service and other authorities. Author – Maksym Bahniuk, Head of Tax and Customs Law Practice at Law Firm “WINNER”.Contact us: 📞 096 574 81 02, 📧 info@uk-winner.com It is better to seek legal advice now than to seek defence counsel later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку In public procurement, a technical error in documents often matters more than a company’s experience or the quality of its product. For businesses, this means a rejected bid and a lost contract; for contracting authorities, it brings the risk of complaints, monitoring and claims from oversight bodies. As a result, both sides spend time and resources without getting the expected outcome. Proper participation in a tender is not just about submitting a bid “on time”. It means reading the documentation the way an oversight body will read it and checking your bid the way the tender committee or authorised officer will review it. The stage of selecting the winner is the zone of maximum attention to wording in minutes, justifications and decisions. How we help businesses during tender participation For bidders, we act as a “legal filter” before submission of the bid: we analyse the tender documentation, highlight critical requirements and risk areas we help structure the document package to remove typical formal grounds for rejection we prepare questions/requests to the contracting authority regarding incorrect or discriminatory provisions we check that the bid meets qualification, experience and technical requirements The goal is simple: to ensure the company enters the tender well‑prepared and does not lose its chance of winning due to minor errors. How we help contracting authorities when selecting the winner For contracting authorities, we step in at the bid‑review and winner‑selection stage, when every decision can trigger a complaint: we review submitted bids for compliance with the documentation requirements we help correctly draft minutes and decisions on rejection/selection of the winner we assess the risk of AMCU complaints and State Audit Service monitoring we advise on actions if errors are identified after the winner has already been selected The aim is to run the procedure so that the result is well‑grounded and protected from formal challenges. Who this service is for “Participation in tenders and selecting the winner” is useful if you: are a business that regularly takes part in tenders and wants to increase its win rate are a company entering the public procurement system and do not want to learn only from your own mistakes are a contracting authority seeking to conduct procedures without major violations and with minimal risk of complaints We work as an “insurance” against errors that later cost money, reputation and time spent on disputes. If you need support during tender participation or assistance at the winner‑selection stage, we can help. Author – Maksym Bahniuk, Head of Tax and Customs Law Practice at Law Firm “WINNER”.Contact: info@uk-winner.com | +38 (096) 574 81 02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку In public procurement, mistakes made by the contracting authority or deliberately “tailored” requirements often predetermine the tender outcome even before bids are submitted. For businesses, this means a lost contract and wasted time and resources invested in preparing documents. For bona fide contracting authorities, it brings the risk of complaints, delayed procedures and increased scrutiny from oversight bodies. The mechanism for complaints to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) is a tool that allows you to protect your rights in public procurement in a civilised way: through procedure rather than informal arrangements. The key question is how well the complaint is drafted and whether it is backed by a clear legal position rather than emotions. When it is worth filing a complaint with the AMCU We recommend considering an AMCU complaint if you see that: the tender documentation contains discriminatory provisions that artificially narrow the pool of participants the requirements are formulated in such a way that they “fit” one specific supplier your bid has been rejected on formalistic or contrived grounds the winner is a bidder who does not meet the established conditions the contracting authority breaches the procedure when amending documents, cancelling the tender or qualifying bidders The main thing is not to miss the deadline and to properly record the violation so that the AMCU has something substantive to review, not just a bidder’s indignation. What we do when challenging a tender We handle the entire legal side of preparing and supporting an AMCU complaint: we analyse documentation, minutes, decisions of the contracting authority and bidders’ proposals we assess whether there are solid legal grounds for challenging the decision and what the realistic chances of success are we draft the complaint with a clear description of violations, references to legal provisions and relevant case practice we support you during the AMCU review: prepare written explanations and arguments, and help shape your position for the hearing after the decision, we develop a follow‑up action plan (re‑participation, alternative strategy, parallel legal steps) Our objective is not merely “to file a complaint” but to achieve a practical result: cancellation of unlawful requirements or decisions of the contracting authority. Who this service is for AMCU tender‑challenge services are relevant for: businesses that work systematically in public procurement and are not prepared to accept clearly unfair conditions or decisions companies entering the ProZorro system for the first time and wanting to understand how the rights‑protection mechanism actually works contracting authorities that need a legal position in response to a bidder’s complaint and an assessment of their own risks In public procurement, success depends not only on offering the best price but also on the ability to defend your rights procedurally. If you need to challenge a tender before the AMCU or assess your chances of success before filing a complaint, we can help. Author – Maksym Bahniuk, Head of Tax and Customs Law Practice at Law Firm “WINNER”.Contact: info@uk-winner.com | +38 (096) 574 81 02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку Public procurement has long ceased to be “about formalities” and has become a separate field of law with its own rules of the game and established practice of oversight bodies and courts. For contracting authorities, this means risks of State Audit Service (SAS) monitoring, complaints to the Antimonopoly Committee and liability for officials. For businesses, it is the risk of losing a tender due to a technical mistake, an improperly drafted document or an unfortunate wording in the bid. Legislation in this area changes so often that working “from memory” or “the way we did it last year” is already dangerous. A single word in tender documentation or in the contract template can become grounds for a complaint, monitoring or for declaring a procurement procedure as conducted with violations. In this environment, both businesses and contracting authorities need not just a “general lawyer” but a team that lives and breathes procurement issues on a daily basis. How we help with public procurement law We deal with public procurement legislation not in theory but through the lens of real procedures, monitoring cases and disputes. We can: review the contracting authority’s documentation for compliance with the law, typical errors and monitoring risks help businesses adapt their tender bids to the requirements of a specific procedure while staying within the law provide a legal position on contentious tender requirements, discriminatory conditions and unlawful rejection of bids explain how legislative changes affect specific roles: contracting authority, bidder, subcontractor, supplier In practice, we translate complex provisions of laws, by‑laws and oversight practice into clear rules: what is allowed, what is not and what authorities really penalise. Who this service is for Legal support in public procurement is needed for: contracting authorities that want to conduct procurements without later having to justify themselves before SAS, the Antimonopoly Committee or law‑enforcement bodies businesses that plan to work systematically with the public sector rather than “occasionally” applying for tenders foreign companies entering Ukrainian public procurement and needing the rules of the game explained “in the local language” If you plan to work with budget funds, knowledge of public procurement law is no longer optional; it is part of your risk management. Work formats We offer several formats depending on your needs: one‑off consultations on specific questions (procurement conditions, legislative changes, risks of a particular decision) support for individual procurement procedures for contracting authorities or tender participation for businesses ongoing legal support for procurement (an outsourced “tender lawyer” for a company or public body) In every case our focus is the same: to ensure that decisions you make within the public procurement system are legally sound and their consequences predictable. If you need advice or support on public procurement law, we can provide it. Author – Maksym Bahniuk, Head of Tax and Customs Law Practice at Law Firm “WINNER”.Contact: info@uk-winner.com | +38 (096) 574 81 02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку For many contracting authorities and bidders, procurement monitoring by the State Audit Service (SAS) becomes a stress test: every document, every phrase in tender documentation or proposals, every action of the committee is put under a microscope. The conclusions of SAS affect not only fines for officials but also the contracting authority’s reputation, future inspections and risks for already signed contracts. The problem is that most mistakes occur not because of “bad faith” but due to technical nuances, inconsistent practice and constant changes in public procurement legislation. As a result, even well‑intentioned contracting authorities and bidders find themselves in a situation where any inaccurate explanation or response to auditors’ requests worsens their position. How we assist during SAS monitoring We join at different stages of procurement monitoring and SAS actions and take over the legal side of communication with auditors. In particular, we can: analyse the grounds for launching monitoring and identify weak spots in the procurement documents or bid prepare well‑balanced explanations to SAS requests to minimise the risk of negative conclusions support the contracting authority or bidder in providing documents, remedying violations, preparing internal decisions and minutes assess the consequences of a possible SAS conclusion and proactively build a protection strategy (appeals, adjustment of procedures, internal changes) Our goal is not just “to answer the auditors” but to protect the client from major risks: fines, exclusion from procurement and reputational damage. Who this service is for Representation during SAS monitoring is relevant for: contracting authorities in public procurement (central authorities, municipal enterprises, local self‑government bodies, state‑owned companies) businesses that regularly participate in tenders and want to minimise the risk of challenges to their bids and contracts officials who may be exposed to administrative fines following SAS conclusions In short, for everyone who does not want monitoring to turn into a mere formality ending with fines and a “black mark” in the procurement system. What you gain as a result Once we are involved, the client receives: a clear picture of risks in the specific procurement procedure legally sound explanations and documents for SAS an action strategy in case of an adverse conclusion (appeal, litigation, changes to documents) reduced personal risks for officials and reputational losses for the contracting authority/company If you need professional support during SAS monitoring and protection of your interests at every stage, we can provide it. Author – Maksym Bahniuk, Head of Tax and Customs Law Practice at Law Firm “WINNER”.Contact: info@uk-winner.com | +38 (096) 574 81 02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку When the party on the other side is not a counterparty but a public authority, mistakes become much more expensive. Decisions of the tax service, local self‑government bodies, licensing or supervisory authorities directly affect how a business operates: bank accounts are blocked, activities are suspended, fines are imposed, permits or licences are cancelled. In such a situation, an owner or director needs not “legal theory” but a clear understanding of what to do right now and what their real chances are. Administrative law is about disputes with the state: when you need to challenge a decision, inaction or actions of officials, protect the business from excessive pressure or defend the right to compensation for damage. We step in at the stage where it is crucial not to miss deadlines, to articulate the position correctly and to collect evidence in a way that will work in administrative proceedings. What clients come to us with We advise businesses and individuals on a wide range of administrative‑law matters, including: challenging decisions of the tax authorities, customs, local self‑government bodies, licensing and permitting authorities actions and inaction of supervisory bodies (failure to provide services, unjustified delays, refusal to issue documents) fines, orders, inspection reports and demands to provide documents blocking tax invoices, suspending registration actions, cancelling permits or approvals public service issues: disciplinary sanctions, competitive selection, dismissal of civil servants and local officials In short, any situation where a decision or action of a public authority affects your rights, money or reputation. What an administrative‑law consultation provides The goal of the consultation is not just to explain legal provisions but to give a clear roadmap of next steps. After speaking with us, a client understands: whether it makes sense to challenge the decision and what realistic chances of success exist which deadlines cannot be missed in order not to lose the right to protection what evidence must be collected and how to properly record the violation where to start: an administrative complaint, pre‑trial communication or an immediate court claim If needed, we prepare a written legal opinion that can be used internally by owners, supervisory boards or investors. How we work Our cooperation format is flexible and depends on the situation: one‑off consultation (online or offline) when you need to quickly deal with a specific problem comprehensive support: from document review and strategy development to drafting complaints, requests and procedural documents further representation in court if the dispute moves into the field of administrative litigation In each case, we communicate with the client in terms of risks, deadlines and cost of solutions, not only in articles and paragraphs. If you need an administrative‑law consultation, we can provide it: we will analyse your situation, assess the risks and propose a concrete action plan. Author – Maksym Bahniuk, Head of Tax and Customs Law Practice at Law Firm “WINNER”.Contact: info@uk-winner.com | +38 (096) 574 81 02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s

Потрібна допомога адвоката? Залишай заявку When you buy a business, a production complex, land, an agricultural asset or commercial real estate, you are not only buying the balance sheet, contracts and equipment. Along with the asset, you may also acquire environmental violations, hidden liabilities and potential fines that the seller “politely keeps quiet about.” Environmental audit and the environmental block within Due Diligence are precisely what you need to see these risks before the deal, not after the money has already been paid. For an investor, this is an answer to a simple question: what am I really buying – a functioning asset or a “black box” full of issues that will surface during the very first inspection? For a bank, it is an understanding of whether the collateral for the loan includes an asset with toxic environmental risks. For a business owner, it is an opportunity to prepare for the transaction and fix weak spots before the other side sees them. What an environmental audit means in a deal context An environmental audit as part of Due Diligence is a systematic assessment of how the target’s operations comply with environmental legislation and what risks its exploitation entails. It is not a “quick visual check”, but work with documents, reporting, permits, the history of interaction with supervisory authorities and, where needed, the actual condition of the site and infrastructure. We look at three layers: Legal – what permits, licences and declarations are in place, whether they are up to date, and whether the asset is operating “on outdated paperwork” or without documents at all. Regulatory – whether the conditions of these permits are being observed, what inspections, orders, fines and court cases have taken place. Factual – what is happening “on the ground”: waste, emissions, discharges, potential contamination, risks for adjacent areas and the population. Questions we help the investor/buyer answer During environmental Due Diligence we help obtain answers to key questions that directly affect the value and feasibility of the deal: Does the company have all the necessary environmental permits and documentation? Do actual operations correspond to the types of activities/services declared “on paper”? Have there been significant violations, fines, orders or environmental‑related litigation? Are there risks of operations being suspended due to unmet requirements from supervisory authorities? What future obligations may arise in terms of waste disposal, upgrading treatment facilities, land remediation and similar measures? In essence, we translate environmental risks from the realm of “unknown and dangerous” into specific figures and scenarios that can be used in negotiations. How it works in practice Typically, we are brought in once the parties have reached basic agreements and are preparing for Due Diligence. We work in tandem with financial, tax and technical advisers, taking responsibility for the environmental block. The process generally looks like this: We define the deal structure and the target: a stake in a company, a standalone asset, or a portfolio of assets. We obtain and analyse documents: permits, reporting, inspection acts, orders, internal policies, contracts with waste and cleaning contractors, etc. We review the history of interaction with supervisory authorities: whether there are “loose ends”, unfulfilled orders or ongoing proceedings. We compile a list of identified risks, their possible consequences and an indicative cost of remediation. We prepare recommendations for negotiations on price, guarantees and contract terms (representations, indemnities, escrow, deferred payments). The client ultimately receives not just a lawyer’s opinion but a document that can be taken to the seller, the bank, an investment committee or partners. How an environmental audit impacts deal terms A well‑executed environmental Due Diligence gives the buyer additional leverage: Arguments to reduce the price due to future costs required to “clean up” environmental issues. Grounds to demand that the seller remedy part of the violations before closing. The ability to build protective mechanisms into the contract (warranties, indemnities, financial security arrangements). Grounds to walk away from the transaction if the risks clearly outweigh the potential benefits. For the seller, an early internal environmental audit before going to market is a chance to prepare, bring the asset to an acceptable condition and avoid a “price collapse” at the Due Diligence stage. When you should consider environmental Due Diligence This service is particularly relevant if you: are buying or selling a production complex, warehouse, logistics hub, agricultural or processing business are entering a project involving land or real estate where there may have been historic industrial or other “heavy” activity are planning to attract a major investor or bank financing secured by a specific asset are preparing for an M&A transaction and want a full picture of the risks before signing an SPA/APA If you need an environmental audit or an environmental block within a Due Diligence exercise, we can perform it before you sign the deal and take on someone else’s environmental problems. Author – Svitlana Krutorohova, attorney at the Law Firm “WINNER”. Contact us: info@uk-winner.com | +38 (096) 574 81 02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Rdi6CWE1s