INTEGRITES has been named Highly Commended at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2025 in the Unlocking Capital category. The project admitted by the awards jury is the breakthrough corporate bond placement by one of the leading food retailers in Ukraine, NOVUS, where INTEGRITES has acted as legal advisor and – for the first time in Ukraine for non-banking institutions – as an independent bond administrator.
“The firm advised on Ukraine’s first private corporate bond placement since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Working on behalf of local food retailer NOVUS, it structured a €10 mn with independent administration and mortgage backing, and overcame martial law by itself acting as bond administrator”, goes the article “Practice of law: Case studies” in this year’s Special Report Innovative Lawyers: Europe by RSGI, the research partner of the global FT Innovative Lawyers programme.
Dr. Oleh Zahnitko, INTEGRITES, lead partner in the project: “We take especial pride in this recognition of resilience and innovations shown by NOVUS, arranger, bondholders, and along with broader Ukrainian legal industry that FT have acknowledged this year. We live for the trust of our clients, whether investors or issuers, we try pushing the boundaries of the profession to manage the war risks along with the challenge of nurturing Ukraine’s capital markets. Excited and grateful for recognition of our team by the jury and the peers.”
More about the Awards – FT Innovative Lawyers Europe
About the project – INTEGRITES plays innovative precedent role in the landmark issue of UAH 400 million NOVUS corporate bonds
