A case of an unlawful multimedia show Our lawyers represented the Salvador Dali Foundation in a case of an unlawful multimedia show of the painter’s work in Russia.

Working on the Code of Administrative Offences and on the Russian Administrative Court Procedure Code

Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers are permanently involved in drafting and amending the main codified regulatory acts which affect the interests of the business community, namely the Code of Administrative Offences and the Administrative Court Procedure Code. In addition, we work on draft resolutions of the Plenum of the Russian Supreme Court regarding the application of these acts.

Optimal solution Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers conducted an audit of a major pharmaceutical company to assess its compliance with the legislation on precursors of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Restructuring contractual relations between a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery and one of its dealers Our Corporate Practice’s lawyers developed a solution to comprehensively restructure contractual relations between the client and one of its dealers and provided recommendations on ensuring that parties’ relations were secured for the future.

Participating in the development of the Shtokman gas condensate field Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers provided full Russian law support during the development of the Shtokman gas condensate field for Shtokman Development AG. Our tasks in the project involved reviewing and drafting EPC contracts, advising on legislative amendments, as well as on land law issues and the regulation of construction. This included advice on developing infrastructure, obtaining rights to develop land plots, constructing offshore facilities, and structuring the project. Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers also advised the client on issues relating to environmental regulation.

Building the optimal structure for a group of companies in the printing business Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers structured a group of companies that included several Russian legal entities as well as Cyprus companies owning shares in the Russian entities and, themselves belonging to foreign beneficial owners.

Performing due diligence on three companies on behalf of the investment department of a large Russian bank Performing full due diligence on three companies and limited due diligence on numerous franchisees taking into account the possible restructuring and subsequent acquisition of the group.

Legal support to a major car manufacturer during its global reorganisation Our corporate lawyers advised a major car manufacturer on a global reorganisation involving its foreign distributors. The EUR 40 million project involved entities incorporated in Russia, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Latvia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Our lawyers’ main role was managing the assets owned by more than 30 of the client’s subsidiaries in the above countries and subsequently advising the client on potential beneficial ways of restructuring the group considering the global changes made to its cost allocation policy.

Having bank loyalty programmes exempted from being additionally taxed The firm’s lawyers represented one of America's largest finance corporations in a complex tax dispute that touched on various issues concerning the taxation of banking activity. The case was an important precedent for the entire banking sector. Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers managed to prove, before the Presidium of the Russian Supreme Commercial (‘Arbitration’) Court, that the fact of VIP clients receiving bonuses from banks does not generate taxable income. The decision that the Supreme Commercial Court issued in helped to protect banks’ loyalty programmes from being additionally taxed. Such disputes set important precedents for the entire banking sector.

Building a position on the disclosure of information concerning controlling parties Our Banking and Finance Practice’s team advised a large foreign investment fund. The project resulted in the formation of a position on the disclosure of information of controlling parties, beneficiaries, and beneficial owners with respect to investment in the financial sector.

Representing a bank in a dispute concerning consumer protection Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers represented a Russian subsidiary bank, part of a major international financial corporation, in the courts of the first instance and appeal in a series of interrelated disputes involving the protection of consumer rights in banking and financial services. We provided integrated support during the litigation, which encompassed a range of legal issues relating to consumer protection in the area of banking services. The case set an important precedent for the financial market as a whole.

Legal support to a client selling its subsidiary bank The practice’s lawyers represented Hellenic Bank PLC, a Cyprus bank, when it was selling its 100% stake in its Russian subsidiary LLC CB Hellenic Bank to several Russian-based investors.

Successfully representing a client who was a creditor in a bankruptcy case Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers successfully safeguarded the client's multi-million dollar interests as a creditor in a hostile environment (deliberate bankruptcy of the debtor). The task included: (i) contesting controlled monetary claims of creditors affiliated with the debtor, (ii) analysing counterclaims of an affiliated creditor, establishing the elements of a crime in the concerted actions of creditors and debtors and instituting criminal proceedings, (iii) ensuring that the interests of our clients were complied with in creditors' committees; (iv) interacting with the receivers; (v) establishing the rights of the clients to pledged real estate; (vi) preparing debtors' property to be sold at auction; and more.

Support during the registration of a new bank in Russia Our Banking and Finance Practice’s lawyers represented one of Korea's largest financial groups during the process of the creation of and the obtaining of a licence for the Russian subsidiary of Korea Exchange Bank. The task set before our team of experts was to provide support throughout the entire process of registering and obtaining a licence for a new bank in Russia, including drafting the set of documents and filing these documents with the regulatory authorities. Our lawyers’ efforts resulted in the bank receiving its licence.

Drafted amendments to antimonopoly legislation

Revised the “parallel tax system”

Developed a concept for amendments to chapter 21 of the Russian Tax Code

Prepared amendments to a draft resolution of the Russian Government

Analysed Federal Law No. 63-FZ

Prepared the draft law “On restricting smoking”