Ilyashev & Partners | View firm profile
Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm successfully defended the interests of a foreign company that is part of one of the French largest retail chains in a commercial fraud case considered by the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICAC at the UCCI).
A Ukrainian company filed a claim with ICAC alleging entering into a contract with a French company for the supply of goods with deferred payment in 2024. According to the claimant, the goods were delivered, but no payment was received.
The French party categorically denied the existence of any contractual relationship with the claimant, stating that it had fallen a victim to international commercial fraud. Fraudsters forged documents using the brand’s name and business reputation to unlawfully obtain goods.
As a result of the Ilyashev & Partners’ International Arbitration team’s work, led by Counsel Marina Riashchenko, the firm gathered substantial evidence that fraudsters had deceived food supply companies in various countries by impersonating the French company and obtaining goods illegally. The company has also filed numerous complaints and claims with law enforcement authorities and courts in France.
Ilyashev & Partners’ attorneys presented the Arbitral Tribunal with conclusive evidence that the French company had not entered into any contract with the Ukrainian claimant and that the documents provided by the latter were forged.
The ICAC found the disputed contract unconcluded based on the arguments presented by Ilyashev & Partners. As a result, the ICAC at the UCCI closed the proceedings due to lack of jurisdiction to hear the case.
‘This case proves that engaging experienced legal advisors at the early stage of contracts negotiatiosn and conducting comprehensive research and verification of your potential counterparties is the best way to avoid fraudulent traps and protect your business,’ commented Marina Ryashchenko on the ICAC decision.