Ukraine law day 2026-copy

About the event

Building on the success of Ukraine law day in 2025 this conference provides a dedicated forum for dialogue and cooperation between the UK and Ukrainian legal professionals. The day will bring together legal practitioners, academics, judges and policymakers from Ukraine and the UK to examine key areas of legal cooperation between the countries.

This year we’ll focus on accountability for war crimes, civil and international law mechanisms for addressing war-related losses, disputes in the defence sector, and the legal framework supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amidst ongoing attacks.

The conference will be followed by a networking reception, providing an opportunity to continue discussions and strengthen your professional connections. 

Event Programme

9.00: Registration

9.30: Opening remarks 

10 to 11am: Accountability for war crimes: international, Ukrainian and English law and practice

This session will examine both the established and new legal mechanisms for ensuring effective accountability for war crimes, as well as practical tips for achieving justice for victims in the circumstances of the ongoing war.

Our panel will explore:

• The role of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine – a new international body being established through the Council of Europe following the bilateral agreement signed by Ukraine and the Council of Europe on 25 June 2025 - within the wider framework of international criminal law and potential challenges faced by this body
• The ongoing investigations and jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court
• The work of the Ukrainian General Prosecutor’s office and domestic courts in investigating and prosecuting war crimes
• The role of the English prosecution authorities and national courts in targeting grave international crimes under the principle of universal jurisdiction
• Best practices in evidence gathering, preservation and verification in conflict setting
• Existing and future cooperation between national and international agencies and practitioners

11 to 11.30am: Break

11.30am to 12.30pm: Domestic and international civil law mechanisms for addressing war-related losses

As of early 2026, the World Bank estimates the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine over the next decade to have risen to c. $588 billion. Physical damage to the infrastructure alone, particularly in the energy, housing and agriculture sectors, is over $150 billion. There is no doubt that Ukraine will see the largest reconstruction effort in Europe since WWII. But who will fund it?  

Our panel will explore:

• Ukraine’s efforts in the creation of the international compensation mechanism for war losses and the next steps after the EU and 34 states signed the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine on 16 December 2025, including the establishment and funding of the third step of the mechanism – namely a compensation fund
• The implications of the European Court of Human Rights decision in Ukraine and the Netherlands v Russia issued in July 2025
• The routes and chances of success in national (Ukrainian and English) courts and international arbitral tribunals, as well as prospects of successful enforcement
• Successful sanctions enforcement and implications for victims

12.30 to 2pm: Networking lunch

2pm to 3pm: Disputes in the Defence sector: legal and strategic components

Following four years of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has seen a marked rise in disputes in the defence sector, which encompass complex legal issues and sensitive factual implications.

Our panel will explore:

• The types of legal issues faced by the defence sector and the need for targeted specialist advice
• The best forum for resolving defence-sector disputes: arbitration v litigation
• The hot issues in defence-sector arbitration

3 to 3.30pm: Break

3.30 to 4.30pm: Rebuilding Ukraine’s energy: geopolitics, finance, regulation and disputes

Following the destruction of nearly 90% of Ukraine’s electric power generation infrastructure, energy transition in post-war Ukraine is both desirable and inevitable. The UK-Ukraine 100-year Partnership Agreement envisages collaboration on energy based on 'principles of sustainability and clean transition'. Moreover, given the country’s reliance on Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) funding and MDBs’ strong preference for ESG-aligned projects, the new energy infrastructure for Ukraine is likely to be heavily focused on renewables.

Our panel will explore:

• The geopolitical importance of Ukraine’s focus on renewable energy sources
• The future of Ukraine’s energy markets and the UK’s role in rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure
• The role of English and Ukrainian laws in construction and project finance: what model contracts are likely to be used (FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) vs NEC Contracts) and the risks and benefits of such standard contracts
• Lessons from English law in regulatory issues, including planning and land development, as well as tariffs, incentives, grid connection, market rules etc.
• Protection of investments and cross-border energy disputes, including interaction between commercial remedies and investment treaty protections

4:30pm to 5pm: Closing remarks

5pm to 7pm: Networking drinks reception 
 

Book your place