Companies that keep any commercial link to Russia operate under two regulatory systems at once: Western sanctions (EU, US OFAC, UK OFSI and others) and Russian counter-sanctions decrees. A payment, a shareholding change or even a routine license renewal can trigger obligations on both sides. We help international and Russian businesses navigate this intersection lawfully.
What we do
- Sanctions risk audit of your Russian operations, contracts and counterparties;
- Screening of transactions and counterparties against EU, US, UK and Russian designation lists;
- Legal opinions on whether a specific deal, payment or service is permitted;
- Contract clauses: sanctions representations, termination triggers, force majeure wording;
- Internal compliance policies and staff training for groups with Russian subsidiaries;
- Interaction with Russian counter-sanctions rules — presidential decrees restricting deals with parties from designated states.
How we work
We start with a written questionnaire about your structure, counterparties and payment flows, then deliver a risk map with concrete recommendations. Where a transaction needs an authorization — on the Russian side or from a Western regulator — we prepare the filing and manage the process. All advice is confidential and delivered as a formal legal opinion where needed.
FAQ
Can you advise on both Western and Russian restrictions?
We advise on Russian law directly and coordinate with partner counsel in the relevant Western jurisdictions where a formal foreign law opinion is required.
Is compliance advice itself restricted?
No. Legal advice aimed at complying with applicable sanctions is generally permitted and is precisely what regulators expect businesses to obtain.