Our response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

We are in close contact with our best friend firms in Ukraine, Arzinger and Kinstellar, and have assured them that they and all the brave and courageous people of Ukraine are in our thoughts at this time and that we condemn Russia’s appalling aggression.

Although we do not have offices in Russia, and only manage a limited number of matters involving Russian clients or counterparties, we are reviewing these matters to decide whether we should continue to act.

Immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Mills & Reeve Charitable Trust made a donation of £10,000 to British-Ukrainian Aid, a charitable organisation who have been supporting people suffering from the conflict in Ukraine since 2014. We are also continually looking for more practical ways in which we can use our skills and resources to help those affected by the Russian invasion.

Our immigration team is providing support to the Ukraine Advice project to assist Ukrainian asylum seekers who are looking to join relatives in the UK with advice on visas and other immigration issues.

We are also sponsoring a barrister and specialist asylum/humanitarian lawyer to assist with providing pro bono advice to those seeking asylum and are helping fast-track a new UK-Ukrainian charity’s application to the Charity Commissioners so that they can provide support to the Ukrainian people. There is also work ongoing to look at other ways we can help provide asylum and visa advice whether directly or indirectly.

This complements the support we have already provided to the group looking to help lawyers, particularly women, who have been forced to flee Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.

We are actively discussing with colleagues and appealing for ideas on how else we can help the people affected by this crisis.

Our lawyers are here to help any UK clients affected by the war, be it through the impact of sanctions, supply chain issues or immigration queries. Please do get in contact with your relationship partner if you think we might be able to support you.