Article by Managing Partner Vladislav Zabrodin on doing business in Russia is published on the Messe Frankfurt site.

Capital Legal Services has advised Leroy Merlin on its RUB 12 billion acquisition of 12 out of the 14 K-Rauta stores owned by Finland's Kesko, with the latter discontinuing its operations in Russia. Baker McKenzie reportedly has advised Kesko on the sale.

Capital Legal Services has advised the Rusnano Sistema SICAR fund on its USD 1.5 million investment project into Geosplit, a Russian oil service developer and integrator of technology for the oil industry. Geosplit was advised by the Skolkovo Deal Support Center.

On December 6, 2017 the Siberian Concession Company (consortium of the VIS Group and Gazprombank), with support from Capital Legal Services, signed an agreement with the Novosibirsk Region government on the constructional and operational procedures of the fourth bridge over the Ob river in the city of Novosibirsk.

Russian banks and companies are constrained at the moment with regards to their access to western financial markets due to US and European sanctions brought on by the Ukrainian crisis, and alternative markets are actively sought. One such market could be the market of Islamic financing.

A hacker with money and votes. The lawyer of the ‘Russian hacker’ Stanislav Lisov pointed at gaps in the charges.

Principal Associate of Capital Legal Services, Dmitry Raev gave his comments to “Russia Beyond the Headlines“ on the development of Public-Private partnership projects in Russia.

Capital Legal Services has advised the Perm Concession Company — part of the VTB group — on its June 21, 2017 agreement with the government of the Perm region of Russia to construct and operate a bridge over the Chusovaya river.

Increasing liability for company heads and business owners is becoming a modern trend. Entrepreneurs are apprehensive due to the fact that today companies being held liable for tax offences has smoothly turned into pressure on business on the part of the investigative authorities, and the decision on a market participant’s bankruptcy is immediately accompanied by increased interest of the law enforcement agencies. 

As the BG survey showed, participants of the SPBILF 2017 are eagerly waiting for the bankruptcy forum, but are disappointed by absence of the real estate and criminal law blocks, as well as the pro bono sessions. The musical and drinking marathon on Rubinshteina Street, however, remained in effect, and the gaming processes as a new aspect helped to smooth down the rough edges.