24 years of professional legal protection.

WCC and Criminal Law

WCC and Criminal Law

We provide defence to the client at any stage of criminal proceedings — including following a request from the National Police of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Economic Security, or the Security Service of Ukraine.

7 min
WCC and Criminal Law

Comprehensive Business Support in Cases Involving Criminal Pressure, Searches, Asset Seizures, Business Disruption, and Other Procedural Risks

White-Collar Crime (WCC) requires not only an in-depth understanding of criminal procedure but also knowledge of business operations, financial mechanisms, corporate governance, and the regulatory environment. The Attorney Association “Shkrebets & Partners” provides comprehensive legal protection to clients involved in criminal proceedings concerning economic, official misconduct, and corruption-related offences — from the emergence of potential risks through to the conclusion of court proceedings.

  • Legal defence of suspects and accused persons during pre-trial investigations and court proceedings in criminal cases.

Defence During Investigative Actions

  • Legal representation during searches, interrogations, and the execution of court orders granting temporary access to items and documents.

Development of a Defence Strategy

  • Assessment of criminal prosecution risks, analysis of the available evidence, and development of an effective legal position in the case.

Court Representation

  • Challenging unlawful decisions, actions, or omissions of investigators and prosecutors; filing appeals and cassation appeals against court decisions; and seeking review of cases based on newly discovered circumstances.
  • Providing legal assistance to witnesses in criminal proceedings concerning relevant criminal offences.

Key Areas of Defence

  • Abuse of power or official position (Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Abuse of authority by an official of a legal entity under private law (Article 364-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Abuse of authority by persons providing public services (Article 365-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Acceptance of an unlawful benefit by an official (Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Illicit enrichment (Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Misappropriation, embezzlement, or conversion of property through abuse of official position (Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Bribery of an official of a legal entity under private law (Article 368-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Bribery of a person providing public services (Article 368-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Offering, promising, or giving an unlawful benefit to an official (Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Trading in influence (Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Misuse of budget funds (Article 210 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Bribery of an employee of an enterprise, institution, or organisation (Article 354 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Filing a declaration containing knowingly false information (Article 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Failure by a person subject to declaration requirements to file a declaration of a person authorised to perform state or local government functions (Article 366-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
  • Other criminal offences
  • Explaining the rights and obligations of witnesses, suspects, and accused persons in criminal proceedings
  • Drafting procedural documents
  • Gathering evidence in the client's favour
  • Representing the client's interests at all stages of criminal proceedings
  • Providing comprehensive legal support to businesses in crisis situations

Criminal Law and White-Collar Crime Defence

Economic crimes and complex financial offences are attracting increasing attention from law enforcement authorities. Consequently, legal protection for businesses, senior executives, and company owners in such cases has become particularly important. The concept of White-Collar Crime encompasses a broad range of offences associated with financial activities, corporate governance, tax operations, and the abuse of official position. In such cases, engaging an experienced defence lawyer at an early stage is essential to assessing potential risks and developing an effective defence strategy.

Professional legal assistance enables clients not only to respond to criminal proceedings that have already been initiated but also to prevent adverse consequences for their businesses. One of the important tools available to defence counsel is the ability to prepare properly formulated requests to the relevant authorities or entities, enabling clients to obtain the necessary information from public authorities, businesses, institutions, and other organisations.

A comprehensive defence strategy in economic crime cases involves analysing the evidence, assessing the procedural actions of the investigation authorities, and developing a well-supported legal position for the client. At the same time, minimising reputational risks and safeguarding the client's rights at every stage of the criminal process are essential priorities.

Complex economic crimes often involve extensive investigative measures and large volumes of documentation. For this reason, legal assistance in WCC cases requires experience in dealing with financial records, corporate structures, and international legal mechanisms. In such proceedings, an individual may be formally notified of suspicion, which constitutes official notification of their alleged involvement in a criminal offence. At this stage, it is essential to determine the appropriate procedural position promptly and develop a defence strategy.

Key Objectives of the Defence

  • Analysing the materials of the criminal proceedings
  • Assessing the evidence presented by the prosecution
  • Preparing procedural documents
  • Protecting the client's rights during investigative actions and court proceedings

Areas of Defence and Key Practice Areas

In economic crime cases, it is important not only to ensure effective legal defence but also to protect the client's reputation, as such allegations may significantly affect business operations and commercial relationships. An important aspect of the proceedings is the determination of the appropriate preventive measure, which is decided by the court when considering a motion submitted by the prosecution.

Key Areas of Defence Include

  • Legal analysis of the circumstances of the case and development of a defence strategy
  • Challenging procedural decisions
  • Taking measures to minimise adverse risks to the client's business and assets

Legal support in criminal cases must be systematic and continuous. This is particularly important in complex criminal proceedings involving multiple investigative authorities, including the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BES).

Assistance During Searches, Interrogations, and Investigative Actions

Investigative actions can place considerable pressure on businesses and their management. In such circumstances, it is essential to protect corporate interests and ensure that procedural actions are challenged through lawful means where appropriate.

Legal Assistance Includes

  • Lawyer's participation in searches
  • Defence during interrogations
  • Monitoring the legality of investigative actions
  • Taking measures to have asset seizures lifted

Defence During the Pre-Trial Investigation Stage

At the pre-trial investigation stage, correctly determining an individual's procedural status and establishing an appropriate defence strategy are particularly important.

Representation Before Courts of All Instances

During court proceedings, the client's interests are represented by a criminal defence lawyer who develops the legal position and prepares the necessary procedural documents. The court may consider the application of measures to secure criminal proceedings and assess the legality of actions taken by pre-trial investigation authorities.

Lifting Asset Seizures and Recovering Seized Assets

During pre-trial investigations, investigation authorities may seek court orders to freeze or seize assets. In such cases, a criminal defence lawyer provides a legal consultation to assess the grounds for restricting the client's property rights.

Key Actions Taken by the Lawyer

  • Preparing motions for submission to the court
  • Challenging decisions and actions of pre-trial investigation authorities
  • Challenging unlawful seizures of assets and restrictions on property rights

Challenging Actions or Omissions of Investigators and Prosecutors

Procedural violations may occur during criminal proceedings. In such circumstances, legal assistance is provided to restore the client's rights and protect their legitimate interests. Depending on the circumstances of the case, effective defence may result in an acquittal or the termination of criminal proceedings.

Preventing legal risks is an important element of modern corporate governance. For this reason, companies increasingly conduct legal audits aimed at identifying potential violations and areas of risk.

Such Measures Include

  • Reviewing the company's internal procedures
  • Examining financial transactions
  • Assessing the risks of potential criminal proceedings

Why Trust SHKREBETS with Criminal Defence?

Our professional team provides comprehensive legal protection to clients involved in complex criminal proceedings. We apply a systematic approach that combines legal expertise with strategic planning.

Benefits of Working with Us

  • Experienced criminal defence lawyers
  • Strict adherence to the principle of legal professional privilege and attorney-client confidentiality
  • Representation and legal support in Kyiv and Kharkiv, as well as other cities throughout Ukraine

Our comprehensive approach to criminal defence enables us to effectively protect our clients' interests and strengthen the legal security of their businesses.

Practice Leader

Case previewOleksii Meniv

Oleksii Meniv

Partner, Attorney, PhD in Law

Practice Members

Case previewViktor Popras

Viktor Popras

Associate Partner, Attorney, PhD in Law, Retired Judge

Case previewRuslan Bekuzarov

Ruslan Bekuzarov

Attorney

Case previewSerhii Mufazalov

Serhii Mufazalov

Attorney

Case previewVolodymyr Vynohradov

Volodymyr Vynohradov

Associate Partner, Attorney

Case previewAnton Novakov

Anton Novakov

Associate Partner, Attorney

Case previewDanylo Mukhin

Danylo Mukhin

Paralegal

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