Both for disputes and corporate transactions, the importance of in-depth regional experience is paramount. It requires a detailed understanding of local business practices and often a close working relationship with local counsel. The ability to make decisions quickly and with confidence, is only acquired by working in this area as long as we have.
We have unrivalled experience in complex international disputes involving individuals and entities based in CIS and CEE countries. We are rightly ranked in the top tiers of the major legal directories for our cross-border litigation and arbitration practices.
We have worked on some of the largest international fraud and asset recovery cases arising from this region, and we are familiar with all the local issues that regularly arise, and we know how to navigate them. Our group also boasts significant experience on immigration, wealth management and corporate transactions for CIS/CEE-based clients.
We have a number of English qualified associates who speak Russian and a number of CIS qualified lawyers who have vast experience of working in these countries.
Whether your goal is to complete a complex commercial deal or resolve a lengthy and costly dispute, we are well positioned to provide all the legal guidance and advice you need.
"Foreign desks London-based team with a strong CIS focus, represents business owners and high net worth individuals in UK High Court proceedings. The firm principally provides UK law representation to Russian clients engaged in cross-border corporate conflicts, including shareholder and bankruptcy cases as well as related white-collar criminal investigations and asset recovery-related conflicts."
Chambers Global 2020
The liquidators of an insolvent CEE bank
Brought multiple High Court claims against the bank's former owner, a Russian businessman, including successful applications for a freezing order, search orders and third party disclosure orders.
High net worth individual's family office
Advising family office of one of the world's wealthiest women, based in the CEE, on various commercial matters relating to tax structuring, dispute resolution and employment law.
Kernel JV
Advising on a US$260 million joint venture between this leading global commodities company and a Ukrainian agribusiness to acquire a major processing facility on the Black Sea.
KPMG CIS closed end fund
Advising KPMG in relation to the launch of a US$300 million closed end fund focused on CIS region opportunities.
First Investment Bank
Advising on its acquisition of the Bulgarian bank, MKB Unionbank EAD, from a Hungarian subsidiary of Bayerische Landesbank. Following the acquisition, First Investment Bank’s assets were valued at approximately £3.6 billion.
A Swiss oil trading company
Advising our client in relation to cargo that had been purchased and then affected by a third party freezing injunction. Our client raised a claim in the Commercial Court in relation to damages and incurred losses as a result of the purchased frozen asset.
Steel producer
Advising the underwriters on a debut issue of Regulation S/Rule 144A loan participation notes by a Russian steel producer (Dublin listing).
Engineering company
Advising the managers on the debut issue by an engineering company of US $200,000,000 4.55% Notes (London listing).
Halyk Bank
Advising Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan on its initial public offering of GDRs listed on the London Stock Exchange and subsequent rights issue.
Fiona Trust Court of Appeal victory
Successfully defended fraud and bribery claims brought by Sovcomflot and Novoship for over US $1 billion. This was one of the largest trials before the English court in recent years.