Quinn Emanuel secures landmark human rights win for Ukraine against Russia

Quinn Emanuel has helped Ukraine secure a landmark win at the European Court of Human Rights, which found Russia responsible for a sweeping range of human rights breaches.

The case concerned the conflict that began when pro-Russian armed groups entered the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine in 2014, and escalated after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In a ruling issued on Wednesday (9 July), the court held Moscow accountable for abuses including the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and atrocities committed during the full-scale invasion launched in 2022.

The court also heard submissions from the Netherlands, whose citizens were among the 298 onboard MH17. Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in 2022 and did not participate in the proceedings.

The judgment marks one of the strongest condemnations of Russian conduct by an international tribunal. The next phase will focus on determining what damages Russia must pay.

Advising

Quinn represented Ukraine on a pro bono basis, led by London office partners Julianne Hughes-Jennett and Alex Gerbi.

Gerbi also represented Ukraine in its $3 billion bond dispute against Russia that ended in a UK Supreme Court victory in 2023.

The firm worked alongside Ukrainian firm Asters and instructed counsel Tim Otty KC of Blackstone Chambers and Guglielmo Verdirame KC of Twenty Essex Street.

What they said

Hughes-Jennett said: "We are proud to represent Ukraine in this historic case and look forward to the next phase of the proceedings to seek just satisfaction on behalf of Ukraine."