LEGAL FIRM BUILDS CROSS-BORDER NETWORK TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM UK–UKRAINE PARTNERSHIP
Clarke Willmott has created a specialist Ukraine Desk to meet rising demand from British companies exploring opportunities in Ukraine’s reconstruction, as international investors position themselves for involvement in one of Europe’s largest rebuilding efforts since the Second World War.
The firm said its new platform will guide UK businesses through the legal, commercial and geopolitical complexities of operating in Ukraine at a time when the country’s infrastructure, energy networks and industrial capacity have been severely damaged. The initiative aligns with the long-term economic cooperation set out under the UK-Ukraine “100 Year Partnership Agreement”, which identifies infrastructure, energy, agriculture, defence, technology and healthcare as priority areas for redevelopment.
The desk is led by London-based corporate partner Oksana Howard, an English-qualified solicitor of Ukrainian origin, who said the scale of reconstruction has created both an urgent need for expertise and a unique market environment.
“Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy have suffered severe damage as a result of the war,” she said. “We provide comprehensive, ongoing legal support to UK companies looking to invest in or conduct business in Ukraine with the view to helping to reconstruct Ukraine – from the early stages of a project through to its successful completion.”
The firm is positioning itself as a legal bridge between the two markets. In addition to advising UK organisations entering Ukraine, Clarke Willmott will also work with Ukrainian companies and individuals looking to establish or expand operations in Britain. This includes support across corporate structures, compliance, employment, immigration, transactions, disputes and sector-specific regulation.
Howard said assembling trusted local partners has been a central focus. “Clarke Willmott has also established a trusted network of Ukrainian law firms that offer the local business insight and legal expertise UK companies may require when operating in Ukraine,” she said.
The development comes as governments, multilateral institutions and private investors accelerate planning for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Analysts estimate that rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, energy grids, logistics and public services will require hundreds of billions of pounds over the next decade — a scale of investment that is likely to attract a broad mix of UK corporates, SMEs and specialist contractors.
Legal observers note that early movers will face a complicated landscape shaped by wartime conditions, fragmented supply chains and evolving legislation. Firms looking to participate in tenders or joint ventures will need clarity on risk, governance, financing mechanisms and local legal frameworks. For many, specialist counsel will be essential in navigating this environment.
Clarke Willmott’s launch signals the firm’s intention to play a long-term role in facilitating commercial engagement between the UK and Ukraine as reconstruction accelerates. With foreign investment expected to become a major driver of Ukraine’s economic recovery, the firm believes British companies will require sustained advisory support to operate with confidence and comply with shifting regulatory conditions.
