Who you are dealing with
- DegreePhD in Civil Law; thesis on the board of directors within the governance structure of the joint-stock company (2006). LL.M. in Private Law, Russian School of Private Law.
- ChairAssociate Professor of Civil Law, Kutafin Moscow State Law University (2020–2022). Over 30 academic publications.
- PracticeHead of Legal Department and Deputy Legal Director of the Russian electricity system operator (2013–2022): 30 lawyers, 59 regional branches.
- LitigationAppeared in person before the Presidium of the Supreme Arbitrazh Court (hearing on record), the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. Author of the constitutional complaint that led to Judgment No. 57-P of 23 December 2022.
- LanguagesRussian, Spanish and English.
Court and notarial proceedings
Expert reports on the content and application of Russian law for use in litigation. In most European jurisdictions foreign law is a matter to be proved by the parties, and an expert report is the most direct way of establishing it.
Reports are prepared for use in any forum in which Russian law falls to be proved. Issued in English, Russian or Spanish, with sworn translation where required. Fixed fee agreed in writing before the engagement.
A short certificate issued abroad is routinely rejected as unreasoned. A proper report sets out the applicable provisions, their doctrinal and judicial construction and proof of the wording currently in force.
Typical subject matter
- Succession involving assets or heirs in Russia, in court or before a notary (EU Regulation 650/2012)
- Matrimonial property regime, marriage contracts and Russian divorces
- Powers of attorney executed in Russia
- Authority of representatives of Russian companies
- Russian registry, employment and commercial documents
- Administrative requests concerning Russian documentation
Expert evidence on Russian law
Expert reports and testimony in international arbitration and cross-border litigation. Twenty years inside the Russian system, including cases decided at the highest instances — so the evidence covers how the rules are applied, not only how they read.
Reports issued in Russian or English. Available for oral testimony, in person or remotely, and for conflict screening before engagement.
Typical questions
- Exclusive jurisdiction and anti-suit relief under Articles 248.1 and 248.2 of the Russian Arbitrazh Procedure Code
- Recognition and enforcement of judgments and awards
- Capacity and authority of Russian corporate representatives
- Electricity sector regulation: grid access and the wholesale market
- Contract termination and force majeure under Russian law
- Russian countermeasure decrees and their effect on obligations
Corporate analysis and verification
- Ownership and control structures of Russian companies: chains of title and beneficial owners
- Counterparty verification for EU sanctions-compliance purposes
- Identification and legal status of Russian assets with a view to enforcement
Selected publications
- 2023Civil Law, university textbook — co-author with S. S. Alekseev, B. M. Gongalo and D. V. Murzin; 1st to 4th editions
- 2021On the Contractual Freedom in the Determination of Conditions for Ensuring Reliability of Electrical Energy Supply to Consumers’ Power Receivers — Energy Law Forum, no. 4, pp. 100–106
- 2021Electricity Demand Response: Problems of Searching for a Legal Structure — Energy Law Forum, no. 3, pp. 45–48
- 2006–2019Commentary to the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, parts 1–4 — co-author, 2nd to 5th editions
- 2003Some Aspects of Unification of Civil Procedure Law — Uniform Law Review / Revue de droit uniforme, vol. VIII, pp. 493–499. UNIDROIT 75th Anniversary Congress
- 2002Arbitration Tribunals in Russia — monograph, Yekaterinburg