Olena Perepelynska

Partner, Ukraine

Languages:
Ukrainian, Russian, English, German, Spanish, French

Olena Perepelynska

Partner, Ukraine

Professional Expertise

  • Head of International Arbitration
  • Recognized legal expert in international arbitration, litigation and international trade with over 20 years of professional experience in these fields
  • Since 2003, she participated as a representative in over 100 arbitral proceedings in more than 10 jurisdictions under the following arbitration rules – ICC, LCIA, SCC, DIS, ICAC and MAC at UCCI, GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA, UNCITRAL and Swiss Rules
  • Acted as an arbitrator in around 100 commercial and investment treaty arbitrations seated in Almaty, Bishkek, Vienna, Kyiv, London, Paris, and Stockholm

Industry Focus

  • Agriculture
  • Chemicals
  • Energy
  • Transport

Current Professional Appointments

  • Eastern Europe Group Co-Chair of the IBA arbitration committee (since 2024)
  • Board Member of the Ukrainian Arbitration Association (since 2024)
  • Board Member of the Turkic Arbitration Association (TAA) (since 2023)
  • Board Member and Founding Member of the Arbitration Association of Central and Eastern Europe (ArbCEE) (since 2023)
  • Vice-President of the of the Polish-Ukrainian Chapter of the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA) (since 2021)
  • Chair of ADR Committee at the Ukraine’s National Bar Association (since 2021)
  • Member of the ICC Arbitration and ADR Commission (since 2018)
  • Member of the Global Steering Committee of the ERA-PLEDGE (since 2019)
  • Member of the Editorial board of ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin (since 2021)
  • Mentor of the 10th Cycle of the Young ICCA Mentoring Program (since 2023)

Past Professional Appointments

  • President of the Ukrainian Arbitration Association (2016-2024)
  • Vice-President and Chair of Arbitration Commission of the Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Ukraine), 2022-2024
  • Member of TIAC Court of Arbitration, 2019-2022
  • President of the of the Polish-Ukrainian Chapter of the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA), 2018-2020
  • Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, 2018-2024

Professional Membership

  • Admitted to Ukraine’s National Bar Association
  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and Member of the CIArb Approved Faculty List (AFL)
  • Member of IBA, ICCA, UAA, CEIA, ASA, ArbitralWomen, ArbAut, ArbCEE, TAA

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Education

  • ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Central & Eastern Europe, 2015
  • Diploma in International Arbitration, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (the UK), 2014
  • Master of International Law, Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 2005

Recognition

  • Featured by GAR 45under45 among 45 top international arbitration specialists under the age of 45 
  • Recommended in Lexology Index: Arbitration 2025
  • Recognized as Thought Leader - Arbitration 2023-2024 and Global Leader - Arbitration 2023; as Global Leaders - Commercial Litigation 2023; as Global Leaders – Transport – Aviation Contentious 2023, Who's Who Legal  
  • Spotlight in Dispute Resolution: International, Chambers Global 2024 and Chambers Europe 2024; Recommended for Dispute Resolution: International in Ukraine (Band 1), Chambers Global 2022 and Chambers Europe 2022 
  • Recognized as Leading Individual for Dispute Resolution, The Legal500 EMEA 2024 
  • Listed in the Legal500 Arbitration Powerlist 2023: Central and Eastern Europe 
  • Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for Arbitration and Mediation, recommended for international arbitration, Litigation, Best Lawyers 2022 
  • International Arbitration / Cross-Border Litigation is recognized as Leaders of practice. Top positions, "Market leaders. Rating of the Ukrainian Law Firms – 2024" by Yurydychna Gazeta
  • Included in TOP-100 lawyers of Ukraine and recognised as Practice Leader in International arbitration/Cross-border litigation, "Client's choice. TOP-100 lawyers of Ukraine 2023" by Yurydychna Gazeta  
  • Shortlisted for Women in Business Law Awards EMEA 2023-2024 as Commercial Arbitration Lawyer of the Year 
  • Included into the list of the most successful female lawyers in Ukraine, Women in Law by Yurydychna Gazeta 2023
  • Leading Individual in International Arbitration; Notable Practitioner in Cross-Border Litigation and International Trade: Commodities, Ukrainian Law Firms. A Handbook for Foreign Clients 2022-2023

Representative projects

  • Successfully represented Ukrkhimtransamiak in ICAC (Kyiv) arbitral proceedings against Togliattiazot with over USD 190 million at stake. She prevailed on both the main claim and the counterclaim.
  • Successfully represented the UK-based Jereh's exclusive official dealer for Ukraine – MOSTON Properties Limited – in a USD 8 million LCIA arbitration against the largest gas production company in Ukraine PJSC UkrGasVydobuvannya. She prevailed on both the main claim and the counterclaim. Later on, she successfully represented the client before the Ukrainian courts of all instances in recognition and enforcement proceedings.
  • Successfully represented one of the leading Ukrainian steel works in USD 1,5 million arbitration against the Russian buyer under the Swiss rules. The tribunal granted 100% claims of her client and rejected all respondent’s objections regarding reduction of penalties.
  • Successfully represented the Swiss grain trader in GAFTA arbitration against another Swiss grain trader, where she has prevailed on damages claim. As a result, the defeated debtor has voluntarily paid the awarded amount to her client. 
  • Advised the party on Ukrainian law issues in the USD 2 billion litigation before the High Court of London. 
  • Advised a Swiss grain trader regarding fraud and conspiracy litigation in Cyprus against the Ukrainian agricultural group and its UBO.

Public Engagement

  • Takes an active part in improving Ukrainian arbitration legislation
  • Coordinates UAA Arbitration Academy – a unique educational program for the Ukrainian business and legal market
  • Supports the global initiative of gender diversity in arbitration through ERA Pledge and other international and local initiatives
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