On May 15, 2025, the UBA Agricultural Law Committee held an expert event in Kyiv entitled “Supply Contract Disputes in the Agribusiness Sector: Latest Trends and National Court Practice.”

The event gathered a wide audience of legal practitioners, in-house counsels, representatives of agribusinesses, and experts in agricultural law, all interested in current legal challenges surrounding contractual obligations in the agricultural sector.

The keynote speakers were Svitlana Teterya, Chair of the UBA Agricultural Law Committee, Counsel and attorney at law at EVERLEGAL, and Oleksandra Kravets, Committee Board Member, Senior Associate and attorney at law at EVERLEGAL. They highlighted key risks facing parties to supply agreements, shared practical case studies from commercial litigation practice, and provided concrete recommendations on drafting contractual provisions in light of recent legislative developments.

Participants had the opportunity to examine key aspects of current court practice regarding the recovery of debts under supply agreements, methods of proving and claiming damages in case of breach of obligations, and the application of force majeure as a ground for exemption from liability during martial law.

A dedicated discussion was held on the repeal of the Commercial Code of Ukraine, effective from August 28, 2025, which has generated considerable interest among legal professionals and businesses. The conversation focused on which provisions will be annulled, how legal terminology such as “commercial obligation” and “commercial contract” may be interpreted going forward, and how contractual practice in the agricultural supply chain may need to evolve.

Legal uncertainty, the need to adapt contract templates, and strategies for structuring obligations in the new legal environment were thoroughly analyzed. Emphasis was placed on the importance of a proactive approach—including the revision of internal policies and contract terms—to avoid disputes during the transition and ensure continuity of agricultural operations.

The event sparked lively discussion and active engagement from attendees, who shared practical experiences, asked detailed questions, and contributed their own perspectives on resolving disputes in their professional practice. The UBA Agricultural Law Committee thanks all participants for their participation and interest in the topic and plans to continue a series of similar events aimed at supporting practicing lawyers during the transformation of legal regulation of the agricultural sector.