Business Protection

Effective business protection and corporate security for enterprises. The lawyers of the business protection practice at ARMADA Law Firm provide proper legal support in matters of corporate security and implementation of security policies at the enterprise. The practice team protects companies and their officers from pressure by law enforcement agencies, state authorities, manifestations of unfair competition, and in resolving corporate conflicts.

The business protection team at ARMADA Law Firm is regularly included in the list of the best law firms in Ukraine according to the rankings of professional legal publications “Yuridicheskaya Praktika” and “Yuridicheskaya Gazeta.”

The practice is led by the firm’s managing partner – Oleksandr Kuznetsov, who is included in the TOP-100 best lawyers in Ukraine for 2023, 2024, 2025.

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Олександр Кузнєцов
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“In today’s realities, businesses often face unreasonable and groundless pressure from law enforcement agencies, illegal actions by state authorities, and manifestations of unfair competition.

The ability to resist these factors is a fundamental skill inherent in successful and growing companies.

In times of crisis and extreme situations, it is critically important for businesses to have reliable corporate security partners with the necessary experience who can respond immediately and resolve issues.

Our company adheres to the principle of minimizing potential risks and promptly responding to security challenges.”

— Oleksandr Kuznetsov, Managing Partner at ARMADA Law Firm

Our Awards

ARMADA Law Firm is a leading Ukrainian law firm that systematically helps businesses with criminal proceedings, legal defense and dispute resolution, corporate security, and risk structuring and management. The business protection team advises medium and large Ukrainian enterprises on interaction with government and law enforcement agencies, resolving disputes with counterparties, and internal enterprise security structuring.

ARMADA Law Firm also provides services to international companies with a local presence that are scaling their business within Ukraine, including implementing security policies at the enterprise, auditing business processes, and supporting inspections and investigative actions, among others.

Services

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I. Business Security Audit. Study of the overall business security architecture. Implementation of security policies at the enterprise.

01. Corporate security. Analysis and assessment of legal risks to the enterprise. The study involves assessing risks of the corporate structure. Potential risk zones are identified, and a road map is drawn up to neutralize them.

  • Audit of the corporate structure of the group of companies and their interconnections.
  • Verification of corporate rights distribution in Ukrainian companies of the group.
  • Assessment of the risks of losing corporate control.
  • Audit of decision-making procedures between companies.
  • Analysis of the beneficial ownership structure.
  • Assessment of risks of forced deconsolidation of the group (risk of forced division or breakup due to legal or regulatory reasons).
  • Verification of intra-group transaction mechanisms.
  • Audit of the corporate compliance system.

02. Labor Security. Analysis of business protection in the context of interaction with employees and contractors. The following aspects are analyzed during the study:

  • Audit of the labor relations system in all companies of the group.
  • Analysis of risks related to remote management.
  • Audit of the delegation of authority system.
  • Verification of HR decision-making mechanisms.
  • Verification of the legitimacy of personnel transfers between group companies.
  • Audit of the local HR management system.

03. Asset Security. Verification of the level of protection of business and shareholder assets. Preparation of an analytical report with recommendations for implementing additional protection measures.

  • Verification of control mechanisms over group assets.
  • Assessment of intellectual property protection mechanisms within the group.
  • Review of intra-group lease and property use agreements.
  • Evaluation of cross-border asset movement mechanisms.
  • Audit of the group’s asset management system.
  • Verification of mechanisms for protecting property rights.
  • Analysis of tax implications of property transactions between group companies.

04. HR Security and Information Protection. Audit of HR processes and management control systems.

  • Audit of local management control mechanisms.
  • Analysis of information leakage risks.
  • Verification of access systems to the group’s confidential information.
  • Evaluation of the security service’s effectiveness.
  • Analysis of personnel screening standards.
  • Assessment of staff poaching risks.
  • Analysis of personnel control mechanisms under remote management conditions.

05. Criminal Legal Security. Implementation of policies aimed at minimizing the company’s criminal risks.

  • Audit of business processes for potential criminal prosecution.
  • Development of a “red flag” system for early threat detection.
  • Creation of protection mechanisms for top management during visits to Ukraine.
  • Development of emergency evacuation protocols for management.
  • Establishment of a backup business management system.
  • Audit of processes for potential criminal offense qualification.
  • Development of secure communication channels between jurisdictions.
  • Development of action algorithms upon receiving suspicion notices.
  • Creation of search response protocols.
  • Preparation of mechanisms to retain business control.
  • Establishment of an alternative asset management system.
  • Development of procedures for protecting corporate rights.
  • Development of personal risk maps for top managers.
  • Creation of travel safety protocols.
  • Development of a secure communication system.
  • Creation of emergency response procedures for detentions.
  • Preparation of interrogation action algorithms.
  • Development of staff instructions for interaction with law enforcement agencies.
  • Staff training on legal security fundamentals.

II. Compliance and Counterparty Due Diligence.

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“Today, there are countless stories of unscrupulous counterparties whose cooperation has led to losses. Unfortunately, every day many honest businesses fall victim to fraudsters and lose their assets.

That is why implementing a high-quality system for assessing potential risks in cooperation with both new and existing counterparties can significantly strengthen your business protection.

Establishing robust and regular counterparty verification practices will help businesses prevent the loss of their own assets as well as liability for violations of sanction laws.”

— Illia Shevchenko, Co-Managing Partner at ARMADA Law Firm

Ілля Шевченко

Services we provide in the area of counterparty verification:

  • Verification of counterparties in Ukraine.
  • Verification of counterparties abroad.
  • Comprehensive legal support of transactions.
  • In-depth due diligence of counterparty ties with sanctioned individuals.

Results you will receive:

  • Comprehensive analytical report on the investigated company and related persons.
  • Information on the presence or absence of potential risks when interacting with the subject of investigation.
  • Significant reduction of business risks.
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III. Legal Support of Enterprises and Their Officers in Criminal Proceedings.

We defend businesses during pre-trial investigations as well as in court.

The practice specialists provide comprehensive legal assistance to company officers of various forms of ownership in the following categories of cases:

01. Criminal Offenses in the Field of Economic Activity

  • Illegal organization or conduct of gambling, lotteries;
  • Smuggling of goods;
  • Illegal production, storage, sale, or transportation of excisable goods with the intent to sell;
  • Obstruction of lawful economic activity;
  • Illegal appropriation of property belonging to a business, institution, or organization;
  • Money laundering (legalization of proceeds of crime);
  • Misuse of budget funds, budget expenditures or provision of budget loans without established budget assignments or in excess of them;
  • Issuance of regulatory acts that reduce budget revenues or increase budget expenditures contrary to the law;
  • Tax evasion or evasion of mandatory payments;
  • Evasion of payment of the unified social contribution and pension insurance premiums;
  • Violation of the procedure for scrap metal procurement and transactions;
  • Driving a bank to insolvency;
  • Driving a company to bankruptcy;
  • Fraud with financial resources;
  • Market manipulation in the energy sector;
  • Illegal use of trademarks, trade names, or qualified origin indications;
  • Illegal collection of commercial or banking secrets for use;
  • Disclosure of commercial, banking, or professional secrets in capital and commodity markets;
  • Illegal use of insider information;
  • Illegal privatization of state or municipal property.

02. Criminal Offenses Against Property

  • Extortion;
  • Fraud;
  • Misappropriation, embezzlement, or appropriation of property through abuse of office;
  • Causing property damage through deception or abuse of trust;
  • Intentional destruction or damage to property;
  • Threat of property destruction;
  • Negligent destruction or damage to property;
  • Unauthorized occupation of a land plot and unauthorized construction.

03. Criminal Offenses Against the Environment

  • Violation of environmental safety rules;
  • Failure to take measures to eliminate environmental pollution consequences;
  • Pollution or damage of land;
  • Illegal appropriation of topsoil (surface soil layer);
  • Illegal appropriation of water fund lands in especially large sizes;
  • Violation of rules for the protection or use of subsoil, illegal extraction of minerals;
  • Illegal logging or illegal transportation, storage, sale of timber;
  • Violation of plant protection legislation;
  • Illegal engagement in fishing, hunting, or other water-based harvesting activities;
  • Misuse of land resources.

04. Criminal Offenses Against Industrial Safety

  • Violation of labor protection legislation requirements;
  • Violation of safety rules when performing high-risk work;
  • Violation of safety rules at explosive enterprises or in explosive workshops;
  • Violation of rules concerning the safe use of industrial products or the safe operation of buildings and structures.

05. Criminal Offenses Related to Traffic and Transport Operation Safety

  • Violation of traffic safety or operation rules of railway, water, or air transport;
  • Violation of road traffic safety or vehicle operation rules by drivers;
  • Illegal seizure of a vehicle.

List of Services:

01. Representation of client’s interests in criminal proceedings at any procedural stage during pre-trial investigation

We conduct legal due diligence and analyze all available materials in the criminal case. During the legal analysis, we identify all possible weaknesses and assess the prospects of the case. We provide a detailed consultation.

We represent your interests during pre-trial investigations in the capacity of a complainant, witness, suspect, victim, civil plaintiff or defendant, or any other person whose rights or interests are restricted during the investigation.

We participate directly in investigative actions: during searches, provision of temporary access, interrogations, etc.

We appeal illegal decisions, actions, or inaction of investigators or prosecutors, as well as unlawful or unfounded rulings by investigating judges. We organize independent forensic examinations, and more.

02. Representation of client’s interests in court proceedings in all judicial instances

We represent your interests in court and participate in court hearings. We prepare procedural documents, including: complaints, motions, objections, and others. We draft appeals and cassation complaints. We accompany the case in court until a favorable decision is obtained in the criminal case.

03. Representation of enterprise’s interests before regulatory and law enforcement authorities

Preparation of responses to inquiries from regulatory and law enforcement agencies. Support during inspections and/or investigative actions. Appealing decisions of regulatory authorities based on inspection results.

IV. Corporate Training for Enterprise Employees.

Corporate training for enterprise employees on minimizing criminal risks and interacting with law enforcement agencies:

  • Employee actions during law enforcement visits to the enterprise.
  • Appointing a responsible employee for communication with law enforcement and defining their key duties with immediate action instructions.
  • Conducting briefings for all employees physically present at the enterprise on behavior during investigative actions on-site.
  • Explaining to employees their rights and obligations in the event of investigative actions at the enterprise.
  • Briefing for top management and materially responsible persons.
  • Instructions for remote employees on communicating with law enforcement.
  • Guidelines on providing information, including documentary support, during interactions with law enforcement.
  • If needed — simulation of investigative actions at the enterprise without prior employee notice (coordinated separately with the client).

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The company’s client pool includes industry-leading enterprises, international and Ukrainian companies that are large taxpayers.

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