Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii
CEO · Advocate · International lawyer
A Ukrainian advocate and international lawyer working in the Netherlands. Denys leads the practice and advises on sanctions exposure, cross-border negotiations and disputes involving Ukrainian and Dutch parties.
DBA, Master of International Law, Master of Computer Science, Master of State Administration, CCO,
Attorney Dr Denys Keshkentii uses several strategies to mitigate potential legal risks during government and business negotiations. Some key strategies:
- Thorough Legal Analysis — Attorney Denys conducts a comprehensive legal analysis of the negotiation process, identifying potential legal risks and issues that may arise. This includes analysing the relevant laws, regulations and international agreements applicable to the negotiations.
- Risk assessment and mitigation — Attorney Denys assesses the identified legal risks and develops mitigation strategies. This includes assessing the potential impact of each risk and implementing measures to minimise or eliminate it.
- Contractual Safeguards — Attorney Denys focuses on drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts to protect government and business interests. This includes ensuring that contract provisions are clear, enforceable, and protect the rights and obligations of all parties involved.
- Compliance with international laws and treaties — Attorney Denys ensures compliance with relevant international laws, treaties and agreements. This includes understanding and complying with legal obligations and requirements imposed by international bodies or organisations.
- Due Diligence — Lawyer Denys conducts a thorough due diligence of the Ukrainian party involved in the negotiations. This includes an assessment of their legal position and reputation, and any potential legal issues that may affect the negotiation process.
- Strategic advice — Lawyer Denys provides strategic advice to the government on how to effectively manage legal risks. This may include suggesting alternative approaches to negotiations, developing risk mitigation strategies or advising on the potential legal consequences of certain actions or decisions.
- Ongoing legal support — Throughout the negotiation process, Advocate Denys provides ongoing legal support by monitoring the legal situation and informing the government of any new legal developments or risks that may arise.
Using these strategies, Dr Keshkentiy seeks to ensure that potential legal risks are identified, assessed and effectively managed during government negotiations, ultimately contributing to the successful outcome of the negotiations and protecting the interests of the government and business.
Dr Denys Keshkentiy, a seasoned lawyer with a broad range of expertise on the ground in Ukraine. Key Legal Factors BV services are geared towards the Dutch business, financial and investment community in bridging the gap between the Netherlands and Ukraine. We bring extensive expertise about the Ukrainian legal system and the economic and societal factors that investors, financiers and traders doing business in and with Ukraine will be confronted with and need to be informed about.
DBA
Master of International Law
Master of State Administration
NJV.nl · ICCBA
Areas of focus
Sanctions & export control compliance
Screening, licensing and internal controls under EU, UK and US regimes.
Read moreInternational arbitration (The Hague)
Cross-border commercial disputes seated in The Hague, enforcement of awards, mediation.
Read moreGovernment relations
Representation of business interests before EU and national authorities.
Read moreTraining course development
Legal training built for practitioners — for companies, law firms and professional bodies.
Read moreScholarly publications
Attacks on Maritime Vessels, Their Detention and Confiscation Within and Outside Armed Conflict: A Single Standard for Qualifying the Use of Force Against Vessels Under International Law
One standard for qualifying any use of force against a vessel — attack, detention, arrest, confiscation or transfer — wherever it happens and whoever does it. Extended to the events of 2014–2026 across the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, Hormuz and the Atlantic.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 16 October 2026 · SSRN International criminal law (ICC & ICJ)The Situation in the State of Palestine (Icc-01/18) Before The International Criminal Court: Jurisdictional Foundations, Procedural Flaws and the Limits of External Pressure
The State of Palestine before the ICC — from the 2015 article 12(3) declaration to 2026: jurisdictional foundations, procedural flaws and the limits of external pressure. With Nir Plesser.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 9 October 2026 · SSRN Maritime & transport law
The Law of Naval Warfare: Attacks on Merchant Ships
A monograph on how the law of naval warfare, the San Remo Manual, UNCLOS and the Rome Statute meet when a merchant ship is struck at sea — and how such a strike is qualified as a war crime and as aggression.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · October 2026 International criminal law (ICC & ICJ)The Situation In Ukraine (Icc-01/22): Limits Of Effectiveness, Procedural Compliance And Legitimacy Of The Investigation (2014–2026)
Four and a half years of the Situation in Ukraine: six arrest warrants, two findings of non-compliance, no suspect in custody and no case at confirmation of charges. A procedural assessment from the ICC List of Counsel.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 30 September 2026 · SSRN Maritime & transport lawAn Attack on a Merchant Vessel as a War Crime and an Act of Aggression against the Flag State and the Coastal State
When does an attack on a merchant vessel qualify as a war crime and an act of aggression against the flag and coastal States? A test built on the practice of July 2026 in the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 11 August 2026 · SSRN Scholarly publicationA Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Model for Calculating the Hourly Fee of an Advocate in Ukraine
A scientifically grounded, transparent and legally verifiable method for calculating an advocate's hourly fee in Ukraine — built for the double reasonableness test and EU transparency standards.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 26 May 2026 · SSRN Scholarly publicationSupreme Court (of Ukraine) versus Artificial Intelligence: An Assault on Progress or a Justified Defence of Procedural Good Faith?
The Ukrainian Supreme Court refused to open cassation because the appeal relied on AI hallucinations. What that tells us about adversarial procedure, judicial function and how the USA and the EU regulate the use of AI in court.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 10 March 2026 · SSRN International criminal law (ICC & ICJ)Refusal to Grant Compensation for Wrongful Imprisonment in the Case of Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka at the International Criminal Court and Comparison with Other Criminal Practices
The Court's refusal to compensate Gawaka for wrongful imprisonment, read against the practice of judicial-error compensation in the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Germany, the EU courts and Ukraine.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 17 September 2025 · SSRN International criminal law (ICC & ICJ)Special Tribunal for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine
Analysis of the Tribunal’s Statute, the Nuremberg and ICTY precedents, the detention of accused persons, and the impact of UN and EU resolutions.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 17 July 2025 · SSRN International criminal law (ICC & ICJ)What Lies Behind the Arrest Warrants of the International Criminal Court?
Sixty arrest warrants in twenty-five years — and the number is likely higher, because the Court's internal investigations stay largely confidential. A look at what those warrants actually rest on.
Dr. Denys V. Keshkentii · 16 May 2025 · SSRNTell us what
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