Dispute Resolution

Home Dispute Resolution

International disputes. Arbitration. Extradition.

Our team of lawyers act as expert witnesses for foreign courts, prepare affidavits and legal opinions under Russian laws for legal proceedings outside Russia, assist in interviewing witnesses on the Russian territory, and help MGAP’s foreign partner law firms to provide similar services for proceedings in Russian courts.

MGAP has successfully represented foreign clients in various disputes in Russia, both in the courts of common law jurisdiction, in business courts, and during arbitrations.

MGAP has also established a strong, wide network of colleagues working for foreign law firms, in order to guarantee, on various international projects, an effective representation of our clients outside Russia.

Asset tracing and debt recovery

Since 2013, MGAP has been focused on the development and implementation of an effective system for asset tracing and debt recovery outside Russia.

We have developed our own wide network of partners specialising in international asset tracing, and in obtaining freezing injunctions after the assets discovery.

Blocking websites, mobile apps, and instant messengers

In Russia, a law that is constantly changing establishes continuously new sets of rules for business operations run by web-based platforms, apps, and instant messengers. New rules cover the grounds for blocking websites and apps due to a wide range of reasons – from copyright violation to failure to comply with personal data localisation rules.

MGAP successfully represents their clients in disputes related to personal data and copyright protection, and the violation of regulatory requirements.

Recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgements

MGAP provides legal support and represents their clients in this extremely important and specialised sector. In each particular case, our team of experts carefully develop the best way to proceed, which specifically relates to the enforcement of foreign court judgments, where it is essential to examine the possibility to apply the principles of reciprocity and international comity.

Our team also provide legal support for their clients in the recognition and enforcement of Russian court judgments outside Russia. Having built over time an extensive network of foreign law firms, most of which are recognised by international rankings, MGAP is able to develop and implement a personalised turnkey approach in recognition and enforcement of Russian court judgments in each particular state.

Real estate. Aircrafts.

MGAP successfully represents their clients in a wide range of conflicts tied to large real estate assets, as well as aircrafts and their encumbrance.

Our team of lawyers give a significant contribution to the establishment of court practice in the recovery of civil damages against state authorities on the grounds of unilateral termination, or the change of construction of commercial real estate.

Commercial disputes

MGAP represents their clients in a wide range of commercial disputes, including the violation of licence and distribution agreements, investment deals, franchising agreements, production contracts, sponsorship and promo agreements, co-production agreements, etc.

MGAP also represents their clients in disputes connected with product liability, customer protection, and antitrust law.
One of the key areas of our practice is disputes connected with defamation issues.

Copyright and IP

Our team of lawyers has a unique experience in copyright infringement and IP protection, which allows us to assist our clients in disputes that have not yet received any related court practice in Russia. For example, we successfully represented our clients in the first Russian copyright-related court disputes, such as the mobile operator copyright infringement dispute, the illegal use of a popular music group in an advertisement, the first criminal proceedings against the owners of the torrent-tracker connected with unauthorized distribution of movies, and others.

Corporate conflicts

MGAP has a great expertise in the resolution of corporate conflicts, which includes among many the following cases:
- Breaching of shareholder agreements
- Purchasing and selling shares
- Challenging the decisions of corporate bodies
- Impeaching major transactions and related-party transactions
- Restoring corporate control

Criminal cases

MGAP represents clients at all stages of criminal proceedings and sentence enforcement.

Our team is specialized in complex criminal cases with a cross-border element. Our clients are represented in tax crimes, fraud, copyright and e-crimes, and receive assistance in extradition processes.

  • A pre-judicial corporate dispute

    MGAP represents a client's interests in a pre-judicial corporate dispute with a company, where the client is a participant.

  • A New York case brought by shareholders of a major Western bank

    MGAP provided support to a US law firm in the questioning of Russian witnesses in a New York case brought by shareholders of a bank concerned about activities in the Russian branch of the bank.

  • Issuing of an expert opinion on Russian law for the Austrian court

    Drafting a legal opinion delivered to the Austrian court with respect to certain Russian legal issues (loan agreements, surety agreements, good faith behavior and proceeding in Russian courts of common jurisdiction).

  • The effectiveness of an arbitration agreement with a limitation period

    MGAP is advising a major oil and gas company on the effectiveness of an arbitration agreement with a limitation period, and the competence of the Russian court in a dispute resolution between Russian and Polish companies.

  • Successful recovery of approx. $ 1 mln

    Successful recovery of unpaid cost of works (approx. $ 1 mln) for MGAP’s client under an act unsigned by the customer (the opponent of MGAP's client).

  • Representation of client’s interest in LCIA

    Close collaboration with a large UK law firm in the course of filing a multi-million rouble claim in London Court of International Arbitration arising from the sale-purchase transaction of a supermarket chain.

  • A case regarding a claim by a contractor over payment for work that had not in fact been done

    MGAP wins a case regarding a claim by a contractor over payment for work that had not in fact been done. During the court case experts were called upon but were unable to determine clearly whether or not the work was done in the agreed time period and whether the contractor was in fact able to carry out the work.  Nevertheless, the arbitrazh court upheld the rights of MGAP's client based on additional evidence presented by our lawyers and granted all damages in full.

  • M&A project for a major supermarket chain

    MGAP completes 6 months M&A project for a major supermarket chain. MGAP provided full legal support for the transaction on the acquisition of a regional chain of supermarkets. Services included complicated due diligence, participation in the resolution of the chain’s current disputes and supporting the restructuring of bank debts.

  • Successful commercial dispute

    MGAP successfully represents its client – a contracting organisation -in the arbitration court over a claim for damages from a contractor for defects in the works carried out at the client's office.

  • A dispute over a credit agreement regarding property insurance

    MGAP advises on a dispute over a credit agreement regarding property insurance. MGAP represented the interests of a group of private clients in a dispute with a Russian bank over presenting of final demands regarding the proper repayment of a loan. The bank claimed that they had broken the terms of their credit agreement regarding property insurance. As a result of the claim and following discussions, the bank representatives refused to comply with the demands.

  • Multi-jurisdictional dispute

    Completion of litigation between two foreign companies regarding the obligation of the defendant (the counterparty of MGAP’s client) to transfer 100% of the participating interest in the charter capital of a company. The contract concerned control over a large real estate object in Russia. The legal work involved constructing an algorithm of corporate dispute resolution and resolution of obligations in a deal between two foreign companies in the Russian jurisdiction as well as supporting the disputes in the Russian Arbitrazh Court.

  • Navigator Records

    Navigator Records is a major Russian music label. MGAP has provided legal support to the client and its activities in Russia. We have consulted our client on disputes in IP, corporate and commercial matters.

  • Bazelevs

    MGAP has advised Bazelevs on various film production and distribution, corporate, tax, commercial and labour issues as well as dispute resolution. Bazelevs is an international film company and the leader of Russia's production industry. Bazelevs works in films and advertisement production, post-production and distribution.

  • The division of an internet gaming business between its owners

    MGAP developed a strategy and prepared a folder of documents on the division of an internet gaming business between its owners, cancelling SHA on the conditions agreed by the parties on the transfer of assets to each of the owners; keeping to the goals as set out of minimising tax and time spent and concluding any lawsuits.

  • Promsvyazbank, a Russian private bank

    MGAP provides legal support to multi-jurisdictional debt recovery disputes, working with local law firms in order to achieve the highest possible level of expertise to bridge the different legal worlds. An example, MGAP prepares affidavits and legal opinions under Russian law for legal proceedings outside Russia, as well as engages its foreign partner law firms to prepare the same for proceedings in Russian courts.

  • A multi-million claim in the LCIA

    MGAP in close collaboration with major UK law firm concluded and negotiated a settlement agreement between parties after a 2 years trial in the London Court of International Arbitration arising from the sale and purchase transaction of a major Russian supermarket chain.

  • MGAP is successfully accredited by SberBank, a major Russian bank

    MGAP has been accredited as funded asset tracing adviser for the territories of EU, European economic area / European Free Trade Association and Shengen zone. MGAP’s funded asset tracing solution was warmly welcomed by Sberbank’s experts.

  • Legal support to a client’s testimony submission in the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)

    MGAP coordinated their client's on-line participation in the hearing in DIAC. MGAP’s lawyer provided comments and explanation to the client during the hearing, consulted the client regarding extraction of evidence, etc.

  • MGAP wins litigation dispute against tax authority

    MGAP successfully defended its client against the Russian tax authority. A court ruling held that the Russian authority had unlawfully imposed taxes, penalties and fines for tax avoidance exceeding $1.5m on MGAP’s client, a large Moscow building firm.

  • Success in business reputation trial

    MGAP successfully defended the interests of a private client, a film producer, against a former business partner, for publishing misleading information about them on the Internet. MGAP proved that the information published was false and harmed the plaintiff’s reputation. The defendant was ordered to remove the information and forced to pay a fine in excess of $8,000 as compensation for moral damage

  • MGAP success in Sheremetyevo Customs case

    MGAP represented its client in an appeal in an arbitration court against Sheremetyevo Customs. MGAP successfully argued that the right to claim VAT relief should be available to a taxpayer whether or not they claim VAT relief in customs documents. This significant decision changed the case law on this point.

  • MGAP successfully defended a leading Moscow consultancy company in a defamation case and the appeal that followed

  • Representing a client in court defending their business reputation

    As part of a corporate battle and non-amicable division of a business with the original company owner,  an arbitration process was started claiming unfair competition and loss of reputation. The court found in favour of MGAP's client and the decision was supported by higher courts.

  • The illegal reduction of salaries in cutting a bonus paid to class teachers

    MGAP  helps a group of teachers from the city of Korolev to make an appeal again the General Procurator of the Russian Federation regarding the carrying out of law enforcement procedures on the territory of Russia. MGAP advocates as part of their Pro bono work, helped the teachers file a complaint against the General Procurator of the Russian Federation asking him to reconsider the illegal reduction of salaries in cutting a bonus paid to class teachers, and to take measures to punish this action by the Procurator.

  • A divorce case for a high net worth private client

    MGAP prepared documents in a divorce case for a hight net worth private client, including agreements about the children’s place of residence and level of child-support payments.

  • Representing foreign high net worth client in family disputes, involving the division of property in Russia

  • Won a dispute on cadastral value of a land lot placed in Moscow region, resulting in more than 50% tax saving for the client

  • A low ratio rental rate, reducing the debt from 34 mln roubles to 30 thousands roubles

    The Moscow city property department filed a lawsuit against MGAP’s client to recover a debt under a contract of lease of land allotted to the client for the construction of a hotel. MGAP in the interests of their client filed a counterclaim on low ratio rental rate, reducing the debt from 34 mln rubles to 30 thousand rubles. MGAP succeeded in winning.

  • A litigation about cancellation one of the urban planning documents

    MGAP successful represented its client (a major real estate developer) in litigation against Moscow authorities about cancellation one of the urban planning documents, without which construction is impossible.

  • The obligation to sign an act on the implementation of an investment project

    Successfully completion of litigation about the Moscow government’s obligation to sign an act on the implementation of an investment project of MGAP’s client. The signing of such an act commits the developer (MGAP’s client) to his obligation to carry out construction on the territory of Moscow.

  • Settlement of disputes over contract obligations concerned control over a large real estate object in Russia

    The legal work involved constructing an algorithm of corporate dispute resolution and resolution of obligations in a deal between two foreign companies in the Russian jurisdiction as well as BVI.

  • A claim for recognition of ownership of luxury housing

    MGAP Attorneys at Law represents the interests of a private client seeking satisfaction in a Moscow district court in a claim for recognition of ownership of luxury housing.

  • MGAP successfully defends over a claim for penalties in the sum of $96K

    The Government of Moscow claimed that MGAP's client broke the terms of an investment contract in particular the terms relating to the period for payment of compensation to the city. The arbitration court agreed with MGAP's conclusion that based on the terms of the agreement and actions of the parties on completion, no arrears were due. The court disallowed the Government of Moscow from claiming penalties from MGAP's client.

  • Dispute between a large development company and the Moscow Government over damages in amount of over $4 mln

    MGAP represented the interests of a defendant (a large development company) in a trial with the Moscow Government over damages in amount of over $ 4 millions - the cost of apartments sold by the developer in compensation of expenses incurred on the reconstruction and renovation of a civil defence building. compensation of expenses incurred on the reconstruction and renovation of a civil defence building. The Arbitration court of Moscow upheld the Moscow Government’s claim. The appeal court reversed this decision and agreed with of MGAP’s claims of lack of grounds for recovery of damages and passing of the statute of limitation. The Moscow district federal arbitration court left the decision of the appeal court unchanged and dismissed the Moscow Government’s complaint.

  • Establishing ownership of a large real estate occupying and claiming ownership

    MGAP works to establish its client's ownership of a property against a third party illegally occupying and claiming ownership. The property belonging to MGAP's client was being illegally occupied. MGAP developed a strategy to return the property to its client in accordance with their civil rights. An important aspect of the strategy was protecting the owner from accusations of acting unlawfully.

  • Rights recognition to non-domestic premises on a construction site

    MGAP helped a group of private clients in a dispute with a developer – investor in a large estate of apartments in Moscow who refused to recognise the rights of MGAP's clients to non-domestic premises within the building under construction and had taken over the rights based on an agreement made with the previous developer. MGAP was able to work out a legal solution and successfully represented the interests of their clients in court.

  • Successful representing a property developer and major construction investor in dispute

    MGAP  successfully represents its client, a property developer and major construction investor, in dispute with apartment owners in luxury residential building in central Moscow. The owners demanded the re-construction of the apartment block’s utilities laid under a central Moscow street. The owners tried to prove breach of contractual obligations in the provision of flats of inadequate quality and referred to consumer protection legislation. The court took into account all arguments and evidence provided by the developer and the investor testifying to the proper fulfillment of contractual obligations to the owners, and dismissed the claim.

  • Successful representing a major real estate developer in dispute over construction of a hotel in Moscow

    MGAP represents major real estate developer in litigation initiated by Moscow Government. The Moscow Government demanded the termination of a lease on land being used by our client for construction of a hotel. MGAP protected our client’s interests in two courts and both dismissed the Government’s claim. Following changes in land law the Moscow Government initiated a new case but the Court dismissed the new claim. Our advocates also prepared a cross-claim and were granted interim measures thus the early termination of contract was recognized as illegal.

  • Successful representing a major real estate developer in disputes over acquisition of residential property

    MGAP represents major real estate developer in disputes over acquisition of residential property. In a set of connected cases the purchasers - co-investors in the construction project - used consumer protection legislation to persuade the court to award them compensation claiming the flats were not built as specified in the agreement with the developer. MGAP successfully proved that the claims had no legal grounds.

  • A dispute over assignment of rights under investment agreement

    MGAP represents Moscow real estate developer in dispute over assignment of rights under investment agreement. The claimant, a company investing in a real estate project, had assigned its rights to an individual but denied the existence of an agreement, thus voiding these rights. MGAP proved that the rights had in fact been assigned. Therefore, the court dismissed the claim against our client.

  • MGAP prepares legal position for client in litigation with the Moscow Government

    The Moscow Government demanded unilateral termination of a lease on land in a prestigious district of Moscow. Our client was prosecuted for material breaches of contract, although these were caused by the Moscow Government itself. A strong legal position worked out by MGAP resulted in the Moscow Government’s withdrawal of its decision to terminate the lease.

  • MGAP represents its client, a major energy construction company, in $2 million dispute

    MGAP represents its client, a major energy construction company, in $2 million dispute initiated by major works contractor. In the course of litigation MGAP developed mediation procedures and the parties reached an amicable agreement. As a result, the claim was reduced by $1.2 million.

  • MGAP successfully represents property developer in dispute with Moscow Government

    MGAP’s client, a property developer, and the Government of Moscow were in dispute over the ownership of apartments in a new build elite housing development. According to the Moscow Government, the apartments worth $1m were their property and they refused to finalize an investment agreement with the developer. MGAP was able to prove that the apartments were not the property of the Moscow Government and were instead owned by the property developer’s private clients. The court supported the position of the developer and ordered the Moscow Government to finalize the investment agreement on the terms proposed by MGAP’s client.

  • A legal case claiming damages from the government of Moscow in relation to the non-completion of an investment building project to construct a multi-storey premium-class domestic complex

    The reason for non-completion of the building, was a new act on “high rise/pointed structures” undertaken by the state building authorities. The court ordered the government of Moscow to pay damages in full. 

  • Success in dispute with Moscow Government

    MGAP represented an investor in a long-term dispute against the Moscow Government. The Commercial Court of Moscow awarded over $4 million in damages to MGAP’s client to be paid by the Moscow Government.

  • MGAP in the interests of Russian popular music band SPLEAN won a case in connection with the cancellation of trade mark protection

  • Illegal use of the name of a music group in an advertisement – the first litigation in Russian judicial practice

    MGAP represented the interests of musical group “Zveri” in a dispute against the organizer of a concert, which took place in St-Petersburg as part of an advertising campaign for a new residential complex. The concert advertising used the name of the group illegally as the group did not agree to take part in the concert. The name of the group is registered trademark. MGAP succeeded in winning full compensation.

  • The first criminal case to be brought in Russia against an owner of an internet resource for illegal film distribution

    MGAP successfully represented the copyright holder of the film “Ironiya sudby. Prodolzhenie”. Timiryazevshky district court delivered its judgement in the first criminal case to be brought in Russia against an owner of an internet resource for illegal film distribution. The interests of the copyright holder of the film “Ironiya sudby. Prodolzhenie” were represented by MGAP’s Senior Advocate Yuriy Korchuganov.

  • A mediation process in a dispute between a major Russian TV production company and a screenwriter

    MGAP successfully conducted a mediation process in a dispute between a screenwriter (MGAP’s client) and a major Russian producer of TV content.

  • Trial success in copyright case

    MGAP’s client, a film production company, was recently involved in a conflict with a film director. The director was dismissed for illegally posting sketches, on-set photos and the shooting script on his blog, thereby violating the client’s copyright and disclosing confidential information relating to the film’s production. The court ordered the director to remove the items from his blog and charged him over $7,000 for violation of copyright.

  • First copyright case in Russia won against mobile phone operator

    Mr. Anton Vartanov, leader of the music group “Magnitnaya Anomaliya“, a client of MGAP, has become the first copyright owner in Russia to win a court case against a mobile phone operator. The operator, “Megafon“, had been selling the group’s songs to its customers as ring back tones without Mr. Vartanov’s permission. MGAP’s lawyers demonstrated to the satisfaction of the court that Megafon had failed to carry out chain-of-title checks to ascertain copyright ownership. The court judged that Megafon had infringed the rights of the copyright owner, Mr. Vartanov, and ordered that the company pay him compensation.

  • Timur Bekmambetov’s sequel to the original Russian national new year film Irony of Fate whose box office takings exceeded $50 million

    MGAP lawyers provide full legal services on the film. MGAP was required to provide a multi-faceted approach to provision of legal services from the start. One of the first steps was the creation of a corporate structure for the production company before going on to provide full legal support throughout production. In order to clear rights for the use of sequences from the original “Irony of Fate“, lawyers at MGAP produced agreements with the film’s many rights holders. In addition, MGAP was responsible for all contracts drawn up with cast and crew. Following the film’s release at the cinema and on DVD, MGAP continue to act as legal consultants regarding the collection and distribution of profits from the project. MGAP has successfully defended the film’s producers in a court case regarding infringement of author’s rights, as well as providing consulting services on ways of protecting the film’s intellectual property.

  • Right to be forgotten in Russia

    MGAP provides a legal advise to the client on legal matters relating to right to be forgotten in Russia. One of the main tasks of our lawyers was to consult with our client on how to set up a legal mechanism for correcting false information published about person on the Internet.

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MAYA SHIBANOVA

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