ALRUD at The St. Petersburg International Legal Forum

24-26 June were marked by the XIV St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, the premier platform for discussing topical issues of contemporary law and legislative development among representatives of the legal, business, and law enforcement communities. The Forum was organized by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation and the Roscongress Foundation — the key entities charged with implementing state policy in the field of justice and organizing major international business events.

ALRUD experts participated in a number of Forum sessions, sharing their knowledge and expertise.

June 24

Sergey Petrachkov, Partner, heading the Dispute Resolution and Restructuring/Insolvency Practices, Partner in the International Arbitration practice, moderated the session «Russian Business in Cross-Border Arbitration and Litigation». The session focused on the impact of sanctions restrictions on international arbitration, the evolving practice of cross-border dispute resolution, and arbitration selection strategies in the current geopolitical environment. The discussion also addressed grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards outside Russia, enforcement in Russia of international commercial arbitral awards made in favour of foreign parties, and recognition and enforcement of Russian arbitral awards abroad.

Andrey Zharskiy, Partner, Advocate, PhD in Law, Solicitor in England and Wales, and a Partner in the Corporate and M&A Practice, moderated the session «Joint Ventures with Foreign Investors: How to Forge a Successful Alliance and Avoid Pitfalls». The session focused on structuring joint ventures with foreign investors, corporate governance and partner interest balance. Participants discussed how to protect investments and mitigate legal risks, as well as the impact of sanctions restrictions on the operation of joint ventures with foreign investors. The session also covered practical mechanisms for risk mitigation in international joint projects, along with corporate agreements with foreign participants.

Margarita Egiazarova, Partner in the Labour Law Practice, spoke at the session «Digital Platforms and the Labour Market: New Opportunities and New Frontiers of Regulation». The session featured a fruitful discussion in which experts focused on the legal regulation of platform employment ahead of the entry into force of new legislation with particular attention to the criteria for distinguishing platform employment from traditional employment relations, the interaction of the new regime with the regulation of self-employment, as well as the need to establish uniform law enforcement practice ensuring a balance between protecting the rights of market participants and promoting flexible employment forms.

June 25

As part of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum the large-scale legal festival SPB Pravo Day Pravo.ru was held, where Alexander Zharskiy, Partner, heading the Corporate and M&M Practice, participated in a conference and spoke on the topic «Optimization of Corporate Structures in Large Companies and Holdings: What Hinders Decision-Making Flexibility?». The presentation covered current issues of improving corporate governance, optimizing corporate structures, and searching for legal solutions contributing to decision-making efficiency.

June 26

Magomed Gasanov, Partner in the Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration Practice, spoke at the session «Interaction between State and Arbitration Courts: from Control to Assistance». Against the background of the transformation of the international economic environment, the session participants examined current issues in the development of arbitration as an effective mechanism for the settlement of commercial disputes. The discussion focused on the role of state courts in assisting arbitration and supervising arbitral awards, current enforcement practice issues, as well as ways to enhance the effectiveness of arbitration and expand its applications in commercial disputes settlement.

For further details about the Forum, click here.