Tax law and tax disputes

Pepeliaev Group has been named external counsel of Gazprom Export. Our firm has won the public tender for advisory services relating to so-called 'deoffshorisation' matters. 

Russia's Constitutional Court has held to be invalid the requirement of the Russian Tax Code that a taxpayer should include in its tax base for VAT not only the cost of goods (work, or services) sold, but also the amount of an insurance payout the taxpayer has received because the buyer has breached its obligation to pay for the goods (work or services). 

The Russian Constitutional Court has accepted for prosecution an appeal by LLC Sony Mobile Communications Rus, which is represented by law firm Pepeliaev Group.

On 2 June 2015, the Russian Constitutional Court announced its resolution concerning the claim of OOO Zapolyarneft stating that environmental charges imposed on this company were disproportionate. One of the rules of the Russian Forestry Code and the Russian Government's resolution based on it were recognised as inconsistent with the Constitution.

Pepeliaev Group’s tax practice (Band 1) has once again been hailed as the best on the Russian market according to the Chambers Europe 2015 international legal ratings. Clients surveyed by the experts of Chambers Europe consider that “the lawyers dig deep to find issues that play a role in the mandate," while the team stands out because it “is flexible and understands clients' needs."

The international legal directory The Legal 500 has again recognised the professional pre-eminence of Pepeliaev Group among Russian legal practices. 

Pavel Kondukov, Head of the Offshore Projects and PSA Group at Pepeliaev Group, took part in a round table discussion entitled 'Improving legislation to develop hydrocarbon resources on the Russian continental shelf'. The event was organised by the Energy Committee of the Russian State Duma and took place in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on 3 April.

On 31 March 2015 Sergey Pepeliaev, Ph.D., Pepeliaev Group's managing partner and Roman Bevzenko, Ph.D., Pepeliaev Group's partner and head of special projects practice, spoke in the Constitutional Court defending the rights and interests of OOO Zapolyarneft. The company challenged as disproportionate the charges imposed on it in connection with the consequences of a technology breakdown when it was transporting oil.

On 31 March 2015 the Russian Constitutional Court published a resolution acknowledging taxpayers' rights to go to the Russian Supreme Court to challenge clarifications of the Russian Federal Tax Service (the “FTS”) which lead to more tax being paid.

A delegation from Pepeliaev Group recently made a business visit to London. During the trip, the firm's lawyers took part in seminars organised jointly with leading British law firms.

The international Chambers Global 2015 rankings have again hailed the Tax Practice of Pepeliaev Group and its Managing Partner Sergey Pepeliaev the best in Russia in tax litigation (band 1 and Star Individuals). Mr Pepeliaev is described by sources as a "guru of tax litigation". He enjoys a stellar reputation for his unrivalled expertise in Russian tax law, and continues to actively participate in contentious tax cases.