The LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS team rarticipated in the VIII International Criminal Law Forum

LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS acted as an official partner of the VIII International Criminal Law Forum, which brought together attorneys, judges, and business representatives to discuss the future development of criminal procedure enforcement practices.

As part of the forum, Rodion Dostatnii, Counsel in the Criminal Defense and WCC practice, delivered a presentation titled:
“Searches and Temporary Access: Current Appeal Practice and the Limits of Admissibility.”

Key highlights of the speech:

▪ Searches are increasingly used not only as a tool for collecting evidence, but also as a mechanism of procedural pressure on businesses.

▪ The statistics demonstrate a growing trend:

• in 2024, prosecutors filed approximately 7,500 motions for search warrants;

• in 2025, the number increased to 8,059.

This amounts to roughly 22 searches per day.

▪ Formally, there is no effective mechanism to challenge a search. Objections may only be submitted at the preparatory hearing stage, and their practical effectiveness remains limited.

▪ Additional complexity arises from inconsistent court practice and the failure of the prosecution to fully comply with statutory requirements.

Main conclusion:
Searches and temporary access measures frequently go beyond their procedural purpose. In the absence of an effective judicial control mechanism, meaningful defense is possible only through a well-structured legal strategy, proper documentation of procedural violations, and systematic work with court practice.

For our team, participation in such events is not only an opportunity to share practical experience, but also to contribute to shaping approaches to the application of criminal procedural legislation.