MAGISTERS / BUSINESS & CORPORATE LAW
Business Registration and Legal Support in Ukraine
Legal advice for Ukrainian and international entrepreneurs, foreign founders and established companies. We review corporate documents, plan registration procedures and provide legal support for ongoing business operations.
Kyiv · Kharkiv · Odesa · Online consultations
BEFORE WE BEGIN
We first establish your objectives, ownership structure and the legal status of each participant. Only then do we prepare a tailored document checklist.
01 / For founders
LLC incorporation and the right corporate structure
02 / For foreign nationals
Documents, authority to act and immigration status
03 / For businesses
Contracts, permits and legal risk assessment
01 / START WITH THE LEGAL STRUCTURE
Incorporating a company is only the first step
Business legal advice starts with practical questions. Who will own and manage the company? Which contracts will be needed? How should foreign shareholders’ documents be prepared? Does the intended activity require a licence or other authorisation?
When a non-resident is involved, corporate procedures may overlap with immigration law. We distinguish company registration from employment, lawful residence in Ukraine and the director’s role in running the business. Where required, we involve an immigration lawyer.
Our role is to identify the correct legal route before time and money are committed to a procedure that may not meet your needs.
02 / PRACTICAL LEGAL SERVICES
Legal services for every stage of your business
The scope of our work depends on your project: from choosing a company structure to drafting contracts, managing corporate changes or resolving commercial disputes.
SETTING UP A BUSINESS
Choosing a structure and registering a company
We assess the founders’ objectives, advise on the legal structure and prepare founding resolutions, constitutional documents and the registration package. For foreign founders, we also verify filing and translation requirements. Learn more about foreign business registration.
CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
Founders and ownership structure
We review shareholder details, ownership arrangements, the authority of representatives and any additional supporting documents that may be required.
LICENSING & PERMITS
Licences and regulatory approvals
We assess whether your activities require a licence, notification or specific permit and identify the applicable regulatory requirements.
CONTRACTS
Contracts and negotiations
We draft and review agreements, addressing liability, payment terms, deadlines and dispute resolution mechanisms.
LEGAL RISKS
Review of decisions and documents
We identify legal weaknesses in transactions, directors’ powers and the documentation of corporate decisions.
ONGOING OPERATIONS
Legal support after incorporation
Changes in ownership, updates to corporate records, dealings with partners, claims, negotiations and representation. Where a dispute arises, we can assist with the protection of foreign business interests.
03 / AN IMPORTANT LEGAL DISTINCTION
Company registration does not automatically grant the right to live or work in Ukraine
A foreign national may own shares in a Ukrainian company. However, company ownership, employment as a director and the right to reside in Ukraine are governed by different legal requirements and procedures.
If an owner intends to manage the business personally or move to Ukraine, we assess employment authorisation, immigration status and lawful residence requirements in advance. For the related procedures, see our guide to business immigration to Ukraine.
04 / OUR WORKING PROCESS
A clear four-step process for your business matter
During the consultation, we establish the required documents, the order of actions, the people responsible and any procedural limitations. Some tasks can be handled remotely where the law permits representation.
01
Assess the objectives and legal status
We confirm who the founders are, where they are located, who will act as director and what the company intends to do.
02
Review the documents
We prepare a document checklist and assess translation, notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation requirements.
03
Prepare the registration procedure
We draft the required resolutions and registration documents and establish a lawful filing process, including authorised representatives where appropriate.
04
Address post-registration matters
We identify the contracts, corporate changes, employment and immigration procedures, permits and further legal support the business may need.
05 / FOR FOREIGN FOUNDERS
Documents foreign founders should check in advance
There is no universal checklist. Requirements depend on whether the founder is an individual or an overseas legal entity, who signs on their behalf and where the documents were issued.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDER
Founder’s documents
We examine passport details or the foreign company’s registration records, signatories’ authority and evidence supporting corporate resolutions.
For documents issued abroad, we assess whether an apostille, consular legalisation, certified translation or other formal authentication is required.
REPRESENTATION
Powers of attorney and filing
If a founder uses a representative, we review the power of attorney and whether the intended actions can lawfully be completed without personal attendance.
COMPANY DIRECTOR
Director appointment and employment
If the proposed director is a foreign national, we separately assess the applicable rules for lawful employment in Ukraine.
06 / AFTER INCORPORATION
Legal support does not end with company registration
An operating company needs reliable contracts, properly authorised signatories, updated corporate records and compliant procedures. We can assist with a single issue or provide ongoing legal support as the business develops.
AGREEMENTS
Transactions
Drafting and legal review of contracts, including negotiation of key terms.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Changes
Shareholder resolutions, management powers and corporate registry updates.
DISPUTES
Claims
Correspondence, negotiations, evidence review and development of a legal position.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
Coordination
Coordination of corporate and immigration matters affecting overseas owners.
07 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before you contact us
These general answers do not replace an assessment of your documents and circumstances. They explain the key distinctions between company registration, immigration matters and legal support for an operating business.
If your matter involves a non-resident, tell us who the founder is, who will sign the documents and which documents have already been issued overseas.
Can a foreign national establish a Ukrainian LLC?
Yes. A foreign individual or foreign company may be a founder of a Ukrainian limited liability company (LLC). Documentation and registration requirements depend on the founder’s legal status and the ownership structure.
Does owning a Ukrainian LLC entitle me to a residence permit?
No. Company ownership alone does not automatically entitle a foreign national to a residence permit. Potential grounds, such as qualifying employment, must be assessed separately under immigration law.
Must a foreign founder travel to Ukraine to register a company?
Certain registration steps may be carried out by an authorised representative. Whether a particular document or procedure can be completed remotely must be checked in each case.
Can I request a contract review without full legal representation?
Yes. We can review a draft agreement as a standalone assignment, identify legal risks, suggest amendments and provide recommendations for negotiations.
Can a Ukrainian LLC be registered through Diia?
Access to online LLC registration through Diia depends on the current service conditions and how applicants can verify their identity. For foreign founders, we assess the available filing procedure, including submission through an administrative service centre or a notary.
How are legal fees determined?
Fees depend on the agreed scope of work: an initial consultation, preparation of specific documents, incorporation support or continuing legal assistance. We agree on fees and terms before starting the assignment.
08 / DISCUSS YOUR BUSINESS MATTER
Need legal advice for your business in Ukraine?
Tell us whether you are setting up a new company or managing an existing one, what legal issue you need to resolve, whether any founders are foreign nationals and which documents are already available. We will assess the next legal steps and a suitable scope of support.
Kyiv · Kharkiv · Odesa · Remote assistance across Ukraine
Phone: +38 (097) 718 11 88. Consultations by appointment.