Tuesday, 29 July 2025 14:27 
🔍How can construction businesses participate in public procurement without facing criminal charges?
This question was at the center of a webinar organized by the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine in cooperation with the law firm Riyako&Partners. The discussion focused on the risks construction companies face when taking part in public tenders, what missteps can lead to searches, and how to build a proper legal defense both before and after a company’s executive is served with a notice of suspicion.
🤝During the event, Yevhen Riyako, attorney and managing partner of RIYAKO&PARTNERS, shared practical experience and explained the key legal risks associated with executing government contracts. These include issues that may attract law enforcement attention, such as discrepancies between actual work completed and what is documented in official reports, performing work before the formal signing of acceptance certificates, or procedural violations during tenders. He emphasized that underestimating formal violations can be dangerous: even when the work is done properly, delays in document signing can still be classified as a criminal offense.
The webinar addressed how to act in complex situations and how to minimize these risks.
❗The key takeaway — work proactively:
✔️conduct independent forensic assessments to verify the scope of work, the value of goods, or the presence of losses;
✔️keep an attorney available and prepare the team in advance for potential crisis scenarios;
✔️ensure digital security in advance by implementing digital hygiene practices and using remote solutions to protect data.
These are all elements of a comprehensive safety strategy for construction businesses.
The attorney also stressed that the majority of such criminal cases end in acquittal. Therefore, when the financial documentation is well-grounded and the defense strategy is sound, companies should confidently stand their ground.
Participants received detailed answers to their questions and a practical checklist for managers — “Business Security in Working with Public Procurement” — prepared by the Riyako & Partners team.
👉The webinar recording is available at the following link (Ukrainian language):
Many thanks to Riyako&Partners for an engaging and truly valuable meeting!
WE WILL WIN AND REBUILD EVERYTHING! 💪
TOGETHER TO VICTORY!
GLORY TO UKRAINE! 💙💛