Russian lawyer Pavel Novikov has been made Partner at Baker McKenzie in Moscow.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has advised Sberbank Investments LLC on the acquisition of a 50% interest in Mayak LLC and Prima LLC, which are implementing projects related to the construction of a five-star hotel and apartments and Moscow's "Lucky" residential quarter.

On 19 June 2020, amendments* to the Commercial Procedure Code of the Russian Federation came into force, which provide for the exclusive jurisdiction of Russian courts to consider disputes involving Russian individuals and legal entities who are subject to international sanctions.

Herbert Smith Freehills has advised RusChemAlliance, a joint venture of Gazprom and RusGazDobycha, on the Baltic LNG integrated gas processing and LNG project.

The regulation of payment terms applicable to business to business (B2B) relationships is of increasing important for many enterprises.

After an initial wave of euphoria at the prospect of seeing autonomous vehicles (AVs) on our streets and the associated opportunities and new business models that AVs could create, there is now more realism as to what will actually be possible in the short term. One of the main reasons for this shift is the immensely high cost of making self-driving technology ready for the market and for mass production. There are also no internationally recognised, uniform rules or regulations currently governing the circumstances for using AVs on public streets. This adds further complexity to their development and roll out. So while self-driving technology promises a range of benefits for business and society as a whole, significant challenges remain to be overcome on the road to mass adoption. At the very least, legislators need to make sure that the existing regulatory framework does not act as a barrier to technological development in this area.

DLA Piper has advised Veon Holdings B.V., a member of the multinational VEON group, on the RUB 100 billion refinancing of its facilities with Russia's Sberbank. Herbert Smith Freehills advised Sberbank.

Debevoise & Plimpton has advised Sberbank on the acquisition of a 75% stake in 2GIS, an international digital maps and city guides company that provides "geo-information and hyperlocal services" to about 50 million users.

The COVID-19 lockdown will not last forever. Some of the Russian regions have already lifted the lockdown regime. Operating both during and beyond the lockdown could throw up novel and unexpected corporate crime and liability risks for businesses. Resuming or increasing business operations as restrictions ease will entail risk.  A resumption plan addressing logistical and operational complexities will be essential, but this should also take account of legal risks as part of overall risk mitigation measures.

Rybalkin, Gortsunyan & Partners has launched the RGP Advocates Bureau, a separate-but-connected legal entity for the firm's dispute resolution/litigation/arbitration lawyers, with the Arbitration practice to be led by former Egorov, Puginsky, Afanasiev & Partners Co-Head of Litigation Dmitry Dyakin, and the Litigation & Investigations practice to be led by Partner Ilya Rybalkin.

After all initiatives for drastic countermeasures to respond to the US/EU sanctions (criminal liability for sanctions compliance, comprehensive import restrictions, liability for cross-border transfer of information relevant for sanctions) ground to a halt for one year, the legislator has now resumed the proposal to establish the jurisdiction of Russian courts over disputes with listed persons.

White & Case has advised Russian online video streaming service IVI on financing it received from Alfa Bank. Herbert Smith Freehills advised Alfa Bank on the deal.

KIAP Law Offices, DS Law Law Offices, and Balashova Legal Consultants have de-merged, reframing their association as a "best friends" relationship.

Noerr has advised the Bauer Media Group on the sale of its interests in its Russian publishing companies to its current Russian management. The portfolio sold by BMG consists of interests in five Russian entities and around 90 magazines in total.

Please find below information about support measures for system-forming organizations as of 28 May 2020.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has advised Kopy Goldfields AB on Russian matters related to its acquisition of authorized capital of the Russian gold mining company Amur Gold from HC Alliance Mining Group Ltd. and Lexor Group SA. Baker McKenzie advised the sellers.

Vadim Panin and Evgeny Yuriev have been promoted to Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills in Russia.

Clifford Chance has advised the Russian Far East and Arctic Development Fund on a loan of RUB 5.7 billion (approximately USD 80 million) for the Amur hydrometallurgical plant, a subsidiary of Polymetal.