Zelenskyy signed the "scandalous" law on a bona fide purchaser: what has changed and what critics say

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on amendments to the Civil Code of Ukraine regarding strengthening the protection of the rights of a bona fide purchaser. The law stipulates that property cannot be claimed if more than 10 years have passed since the date of state registration of ownership rights. This is reported on the website of the parliament, writes UNN.

Details

"04/07/2025 - returned with the signature of the President of Ukraine", - the status of the document says.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted this bill №12089 in the second reading and as a whole on March 12.

The document stipulates that property cannot be claimed if more than 10 years have passed since the date of state registration of ownership rights.

This does not apply to critical infrastructure facilities that are of strategic importance for the economy and security of the state, defense facilities and lands, territories of the nature reserve fund, cultural heritage monuments that were not subject to privatization.

According to People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak, before that, the deadline for the state or community to demand the return of property in a civil process was 3 years.

According to the parliament, the document protects the rights and interests of a bona fide purchaser in the event of disposal of property from the ownership of the state or territorial community and resolves the issue of compensation when property is claimed in favor of the state or territorial community.

The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs called for the immediate adoption of draft law No. 12089.

As the UUP indicated, the document, in particular: does not apply to critical infrastructure facilities, strategic lands, cultural heritage sites and the nature reserve fund, which is especially important in times of war; for the first time provides for the responsibility of state bodies and local self-government bodies for the allocation of land. They will be obliged to provide compensation for the market value of the property, and claims can be directed to specific individuals who made illegal decisions; does not apply to fraudulent schemes or those who knew about the bad faith grounds for acquiring ownership.

What the opponents of the law say

In February, WWF-Ukraine called on people's deputies not to adopt draft law No. 12089. It was emphasized that its adoption threatens environmental safety, contradicts the principles of justice and deprives the state and communities of the right to return illegally alienated natural territories.

"Natural resources belong to all citizens of Ukraine, and they must remain in state or communal ownership in the interests of present and future generations," the statement said.

The head of the "Environmental Policy" direction of WWF-Ukraine stated that, in essence, the bill creates the possibility of alienation of state property (primarily forests, water bodies, etc.) in favor of private individuals.

"Limited access to the State Land Cadastre due to the martial law regime creates wide opportunities for illegal seizure of land, including forest fund, which is on the balance sheet of the state and communities," - he said.

People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak pointed out that the bill No. 12089 on the bona fide purchaser signed by the President is scandalous. "According to the business community, this law will limit illegal actions against business by law enforcement agencies. Although it was fair to say that many NGOs and activists opposed the law. Therefore, it is "scandalous", - Zheleznyak wrote in Telegram.