How medical professionals can avoid becoming involved in criminal proceedings: practical experience of GOLAW lawyers

06 January 2026 - Publication

Today, the medical sector in Ukraine is facing a new challenge: the number of criminal proceedings against medical professionals is steadily increasing. These are no longer isolated cases, but a real trend that requires doctors to be legally savvy. GOLAW lawyers work on such cases, so the criminal law practice team shared their experience at the large-scale scientific and practical conference Kyiv Endo 2025. Partner at GOLAW Igor Glushko, Counsel Kristina Kolchynska and Attorney at law Anastasiia Shapoval participated in the event.

The lawyers analyzed real cases of criminal prosecution of doctors for improper performance of professional duties (Article 140 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They explained in detail what law enforcement agencies and courts will pay attention to during criminal proceedings, as well as what evidence a doctor must collect for a successful defense in such cases.

The experts explained the process of investigation by law enforcement agencies and consideration by the court, as well as the active defense measures that must be taken at each stage. The lawyers explained the main material, personal, and career risks of criminal prosecution. The types of punishment that can be imposed by the court and real cases of millions in damages awarded to patients were discussed.

The lawyers paid special attention to an area that is no less risky for medical institutions — cooperation with the National Health Service of Ukraine. The experts drew attention not only to cases of penalties provided for in standard contracts for medical services to the population, but also shared their own experience of defending medical workers in criminal cases related to the entry of false information into the Electronic healthcare system, which led to the unjustified appropriation of budget funds.

The lawyers explained the sanctions provided for by law for such actions by managers and staff of medical institutions. Separate recommendations were provided on how to minimize the risks of prosecution.

You can watch the video recording of the presentation in Ukrainian below ⬇️

Presentation in Ukrainian

GOLAW’s criminal law attorneys handle these cases at all stages of criminal proceedings: from pre-trial investigation to defending clients in court. It is important to remember that there are no universal solutions in such cases, and effective defense is only possible with an individual approach to each case.