International commercial disputes
Strategy and representation in international arbitration
I review arbitration clauses, assess claims and defences, prepare submissions and develop an enforcement-focused strategy for disputes involving Russian parties, law, contracts or assets. Advice is available in English and Russian.
When to seek international arbitration advice
A cross-border contract was breached
A foreign counterparty has withheld payment, failed to deliver, rejected performance, retained an advance or brought penalty claims.
You received a claim or notice
Deadlines may be short. Jurisdictional objections, document preservation and the defence strategy should be considered immediately.
The arbitration clause is unclear
The contract identifies several forums, misnames an institution or leaves the governing law, seat or language uncertain.
Recovery depends on assets
An award is valuable only if it can be enforced. Asset location and the recognition route should be assessed before major costs are incurred.
Interim protection is required
There is a risk of asset dissipation, loss of evidence, supply interruption or other irreversible harm.
A new international contract is being negotiated
The parties need a workable arbitration clause, governing law, notice mechanism and allocation of sanctions and force-majeure risks.
Available legal services
Each service can be instructed separately or as part of full case support. No fixed prices are published because the scope depends on the clause, institution, language, amount in dispute, evidence and enforcement jurisdictions.
1. Clause and jurisdiction review
Validity and scope of the arbitration agreement, institution, seat, language, governing law and mandatory pre-arbitration steps.
2. Merits and strategy opinion
Written assessment of claims, defences, limitation periods, evidence, procedural risk and practical recovery scenarios.
3. Pre-arbitration work
Demand letters, notices of dispute, responses, settlement proposals, negotiations and preservation of evidence.
4. Claimant submissions
Request or Notice of Arbitration, Statement of Claim, quantum calculation and presentation of contractual and legal grounds.
5. Respondent defence
Response or Answer, jurisdiction objections, defence on the merits, counterclaims and challenge to damages calculations.
6. Interim and emergency relief
Assessment of applications to an emergency arbitrator, the tribunal or a competent national court.
7. Full arbitration support
Procedural timetable, written submissions, evidence, experts, witness preparation, hearings and settlement discussions.
8. Recognition and enforcement
Russian enforcement strategy and coordination with qualified local counsel where assets or set-aside proceedings are abroad.
9. Cross-border contracts
Drafting and review of arbitration, governing-law, currency, notice, sanctions, hardship and force-majeure provisions.
Institutions and arbitration rules
The correct forum is determined by the agreement and current rules. A matter may involve the ICAC at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ICC, LCIA, SCC, VIAC, DIS, Swiss Arbitration Centre, SIAC, HKIAC or ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules.
How the work proceeds
- Paid initial consultation: parties, contract, clause, deadlines, claims and asset locations.
- Document review: agreements, correspondence, payments, performance evidence and procedural notices.
- Strategy and scope: forum, language, rules, evidence, experts and any foreign local counsel.
- Case preparation: chronology, legal characterisation, quantum and organised evidence.
- Proceedings: submissions, procedural correspondence, hearings and negotiations.
- Enforcement: a practical recovery route based on the debtor’s assets and applicable jurisdictions.
Documents for the initial consultation
- the contract, amendments and appendices;
- the arbitration or jurisdiction clause;
- demands, notices and key correspondence;
- payment, delivery and performance records;
- any Request for Arbitration, claim, response or procedural timetable;
- a short chronology and desired commercial outcome;
- known information about the other party’s assets.
Frequently asked questions
Can a party start arbitration without an arbitration clause?
Arbitration normally requires the parties’ consent, whether in the original contract or a later agreement. Without consent, other forums and remedies must be considered.
Can the case be handled remotely?
Many filings and hearings are conducted online, but the format depends on the rules, tribunal and circumstances.
Who pays arbitration costs?
The parties advance institutional and tribunal costs and bear their own legal, expert and translation expenses. The final allocation depends on the rules and award. A case budget is prepared only after the documents are reviewed.
Can a foreign award be enforced in Russia?
Recognition and enforcement depend on applicable treaties, Russian procedural law and the limited grounds for refusal. Correctly certified documents and a jurisdiction-specific strategy are essential.
Do you act only for Russian companies?
No. Work may be provided to Russian or foreign companies, entrepreneurs and owners where the dispute involves Russian law, a Russian party, Russian assets or enforcement in Russia.
Is a successful result guaranteed?
No. A responsible lawyer assesses merits and risk but cannot promise an arbitral decision. The objective is a reasoned strategy and professional presentation of the case.
Need an initial assessment of a cross-border dispute?
At a paid initial consultation, we will review the arbitration clause, deadlines, evidence and realistic enforcement options. You will then know which form of support is appropriate.
Book the initial consultation →