A Win on the Court and in His Career: Vladislav Korotkov Strengthens SDL Legal Workshop’s Bankruptcy Team
October 16-17, 2025 – Dmitry Smirnov, SDL Legal Boutique Managing Partner and insolvency officer, a member or the Ural SRO of AU, took part in the XII Ural Forum of Insolvency Officers in Yekaterinburg.
From Legal Theory to Practice: How New Supreme Court Precedents Can Break Debtor Enforcement Immunity and Start the Process of Selling a «Golden Cage»
The Managing Partner of SDL Legal Boutique competed in a singles tennis tournament for legal professionals in Moscow.
Asset Realization Over Debt Restructuring: How a Supreme Court Reference Secured a Swift Ruling in the Creditor’s Favor
June 7, 2025 – The Managing Partner of SDL Legal Workshop took part in the first charity legal badminton tournament in Moscow.
On May 17, 2025, the team of SDL Legal Boutique took part in the “Legal Run 2025” charity race in Moscow.
«Information Tax» for Insolvency Officer: How To Challenge a Court’s Illegal Demand for a Filing Fee on a Procedural Motion in Bankruptcy
New Developments in Asset Protection Immunity: How a Debtor Can Safeguard Proceeds from the Sale of his sole residence encumbered by a mortgage
International SDL Partner Session 2023 Successfully Held in Antalya
SDL Legal Boutique Expands Immigration Services to Argentina
SDL Legal Boutique Secures Landmark Change to EAEU Customs Code
EAEU Court of Appeals Upholds Ruling in Favor of Client, Rejects EEC Challenge
On November 15, 2022 the Firm’s Partner Pavel Egorov represented the Firm’s client in the Court of the Eurasian Economic Union court in Minsk. We were pleasantly surprised by the presence of such island of independent judicial will. As a result – the client’s claim has been fully upheld!
On November 20, 2022 the Firm’s Partner Dmitriy Smirnov attended a match of Cakallikli Spor football club, presided by Bora Akturk, advocate and our close partner in Turkey. The club goes from strength to strength year by year and occupies top positions in its group. We appreciate our colleagues for the invitation and wish Cakallikli Spor football club further wins!
On October 07, 2022 in Montreux, Switzerland, the Firm’s Partner Dmitry Smirnov gave lections and practicums during the course “Law Enforcement and the Judicial System” to students of the Вeringoff International Academy of Law)
During 06-13 August, 2022 Firm’s Partner Dmitriy Smirnov helped SDL Legal boutique clients with Corporate Sailing Week event management
Firm’s Partner Dmitriy Smirnov know all the right routes in Switzerland
From June 30 till July 02, 2022 in Antalya (Turkey) SDL Legal boutique partner session was held
Pavel Egorov became SDL Legal boutique Partner
This is how the queue at the migration center in Antalya, Turkey, looks like. Beginning from the street. Representing the clients there
In June 07-10, 2022 the Firm’s Partner Dmitry Smirnov participated in negotiations with clients during the XXX International specialized exhibition “UGOL RUSSIA AND MINING” (Novokuznetsk)
On April 22, 2022, our Firm established a representative office in St. Kitts and Nevis. We provide services to our clients in this jurisdiction
We represent our clients in Kazakhstan
SDL Legal Network
Southern Russia Legal Forum 2021 (September 09 – 11, 2021)
SDL Legal Boutique Lawyers supported COVID-19 vaccination
11.02.2021 – 13.02.2021 – Winter legal week
06.03.2019: Business Breakfast in Moscow: Declaration of foreign assets and citizenship by investment programs
20.12.2018: The Forum of Heads of Legal Departments
07.11.2018: The 12th International Annual IBA Conference “Law Firm Management”
A Win on the Court and in His Career: Vladislav Korotkov Strengthens SDL Legal Workshop’s Bankruptcy Team
Published: 20.10.2025
October 20, 2025 – SDL Legal Boutique is pleased to announce a new addition to our bankruptcy team. In September 2025, Vladislav Korotkov joined us as a Bankruptcy Assistant to the Arbitration Manager. Although Vladislav is at the start of his professional journey, he has already proven his value and contributed to the team’s overall successes.
Outside the office, Vladislav is a dedicated athlete who has played competitive tennis since childhood. He has experience participating in various tournaments and coaches aspiring tennis players. SDL Legal Workshop fully supports our young specialist’s commitment to balancing his legal career with his serious dedication to sports.
This passion for tennis is shared by the firm’s Managing Partner, Dmitry Smirnov. On October 19, their partnership reached a new level when the duo competed in the Legal Open Tennis Cup, a pairs tournament held in Aprelevka that brought together legal professionals from across the country. After a series of intense matches, the SDL Legal Workshop team claimed a decisive victory, taking first place.
We congratulate Dmitry and Vladislav on their win and are proud to have not only top-tier lawyers on our team but also driven and well-rounded individuals. We wish Vladislav equally impressive successes in the field of bankruptcy!
October 16-17, 2025 – Dmitry Smirnov, SDL Legal Boutique Managing Partner and insolvency officer, a member or the Ural SRO of AU, took part in the XII Ural Forum of Insolvency Officers in Yekaterinburg.
Published: 18.10.2025
In mid-October 2024, Yekaterinburg hosted the XII Ural Forum of Insolvency Officers – a landmark event that traditionally sets the tone for discussing current challenges in the field of bankruptcy.
The scale of the event was impressive: it was attended in person by over 280 specialists, including 195 insolvency officers from 35 regions of the country, while the online broadcast audience exceeded a thousand people. During 10 thematic sessions, more than 45 experts presented their reports, including 4 Doctors and 7 Candidates of Sciences.
The discussions focused on the most pressing issues of legislation and law enforcement practice in the bankruptcy of legal entities and individuals. Particular interest was drawn to the problems of protecting the rights of officers themselves and insuring their professional liability, as well as the analysis of new judicial trends.
A separate part of the program was the demonstration of digital solutions for the daily work of officers. Participants were presented with updates to the “Pomoshchnik Arbitrazhnykh Upravlyayushchikh” program, the Bankro.tech service for conducting electronic meetings, the Portal.da asset marketplace, and Sovcombank’s online bank operating on the “one-stop-shop” principle.
Following the results of the XII Ural Forum of Insolvency Officers, a number of effective decisions were made and a final memorandum was developed for its further presentation to government bodies, the professional community and the general public.
From Legal Theory to Practice: How New Supreme Court Precedents Can Break Debtor Enforcement Immunity and Start the Process of Selling a «Golden Cage»
Published: 30.09.2025
September 30, 2025 – As early as the spring of 2021, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation opened the possibility of selling a bankrupt primary residence, which is exempt property (hereinafter referred to as «primary residence») if it meets the criteria of a «luxury property». In such a case, instead of «luxury» house or flat the debtor and his family must be provided with cheaper housing in the same area (city, village, etc.) which complies the requirements for providing housing under a social tenancy agreement. This was the beginning of the end for the «untouchable» status of a debtor’s primary residence.
In June 2025, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation clarified the criteria for classifying a bankrupt primary residence as a “luxury primary residence”, which lacks any enforcement immunity. According to the given clarification, in resolving the issue of a “luxury” nature of a primary residence, the courts must consider not only the object’s square meters (which must significantly exceed the reasonable housing needs of the debtor’s family), but also other characteristics. So called “other characteristics” may include: the gross living area, market value, location, design features, external and internal artistic design, the level of local infrastructure, technical equipment, etc.
SDL Legal Boutique team was among the first to test the practical application of abovementioned clarifications. On June 26, 2025, the Tenth Arbitration Court of Appeal heard a complaint filed by a horticultural non-profit partnership (SNT) (a bankruptcy creditor represented by our insolvency specialists) against a ruling by the Arbitration Court of the Moscow Region to conclude the procedure for the sale of a citizen-debtor’s property.
Case Background: The debtor owned a land plot and a residential house exceeding 150 square meters within the SNT territory. The debtor had a debt to the SNT for electricity payments and other fees (Article 5 of Federal Law No. 217-FZ), in total over 1.8 million rubles, which was included in the creditors’ claims register. Upon the insolvency officer application, the court of first instance concluded the asset sale procedure and released the debtor from obligations, citing a lack of assets available for sale and an inability to fulfill the obligations.
The Creditor’s Position (as presented by SDL): The main argument of the appellate complaint was the «unjustified exclusion of the residential house and land plot from the bankruptcy estate». Although the house was the debtor’s primary residence, it is a “luxury” property: its total area of 151.6 m² is almost tenfold the established living space norm per person in the Moscow Region. According to public data from avito.ru, the market value of a similar house in the same cottage community exceeds 14,000,000.00 rubles, while the total debt is only about 3.5 million rubles. The insolvency officer failed to determine whether the debtor’s property was luxurious, did not conduct its appraisal, did not convene a creditors’ meeting, and did not raise the question of selling the luxury primary residence to satisfy all creditor claims while providing the debtor with alternative, less luxurious housing in exchange. This led to an imbalance between the interests of the creditors and the debtor.
The Appellate Court’s Ruling: The appeals court agreed with the complaint’s arguments, overturned the ruling concluding the procedure, and remanded the case for a new trial. In addition to ordering a verification of the creditor’s (SNT’s) arguments regarding the “luxury” status of the property (its value and total area), the appeal court highlighted another crucial point from the complaint: the debt to the creditor (SNT) of over 1.8 million rubles arose precisely from the debtor’s inability to pay for the provided utilities and property maintenance fees. Therefore, since the house and land plot remained the debtor’s property, it could be assumed that the debtor would continue to accumulate debt for utilities and other payments, which significantly violates the rights of the creditors, particularly the SNT. On September 30, 2025, the arbitration court of the Moscow District upheld this appellate ruling, leaving the debtor’s cassation appeal unsatisfied.
Conclusion: This case is significant because the higher courts not only confirmed the insolvency officer’s to consider standard primary residence characteristics like price and area when deciding on its exclusion from the bankruptcy estate but also emphasized the importance of OTHER circumstances related to the debt and the disputed property. In this case, releasing the debtor from obligations – most of which resulted from the debtor’s failure to maintain and use their own property – while allowing him to retain that very property, would be unjust and would encourage the debtor’s unlawful inaction. This is unacceptable, a point specifically noted by the higher courts.
This case clearly demonstrates the significance and practical value of the Supreme Court’s clarifications, their “flexibility,” and confirms that the new criteria for defining a “luxury primary residence” are real legal tool. When used skillfully, this tool allows for the effective challenge of unjustified debt relief for creditors.
Our team is always ready to help you apply the most current legal arguments and procedural tools in court to efficiently restore and protect your rights.
The Managing Partner of SDL Legal Boutique competed in a singles tennis tournament for legal professionals in Moscow.
Published: 24.08.2025
August 24, 2025 – The Managing Partner of SDL Legal Boutique competed in a singles tennis tournament for legal professionals in Moscow.
Asset Realization Over Debt Restructuring: How a Supreme Court Reference Secured a Swift Ruling in the Creditor’s Favor
Published: 30.06.2025
June 30, 2025 – Until recently, judicial practice favored the debt restructuring procedure when a personal bankruptcy case was initiated based under a creditor’s application. This preference existed because the debt restructuring procedure is designed to fulfill functions similar to the initial “observation” stage in corporate bankruptcy. It provides an opportunity to assess the debtor’s prospects for regaining solvency, convene creditors, and negotiate with the debtor on potential solutions—all without immediately imposing the full range of negative consequences tied to a formal declaration of insolvency and the commencement of asset liquidation.
However, in practice, it may often happen that the futility of measures aimed at restoring a citizen’s solvency is clear: the debtor lacks valuable assets, and his income is insufficient to regain solvency within a reasonable period.
In June 2025, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation issued a new review of court practice concerning personal bankruptcy cases (approved by Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on June 18, 2025). Using specific examples, this review addresses important procedural questions regarding the relationship between the different procedures applied in personal bankruptcy cases. In particular, the highest court clarified, that, in exceptional circumstances, courts may deviate from the standard sequence of procedures in a personal bankruptcy case—as outlined in Articles 213.6, 213.17, and 213.24 of the Bankruptcy Law—and proceed directly to the assets realization stage.
Our clients had to file a new bankruptcy application against his debtor after a previously initiated bankruptcy case against the debtor had been dismissed due to the court’s inability to appoint an insolvency officer. The client had to prevent the initiation of debt restructuring proceedings. Consequently, our goal was to persuade the judge that opening a procedure aimed at restoring the debtor’s financial health is simply impractical and would only lead to delays in the case and increase legal costs for our client.
During the court hearing to examine the validity of our client’s application, it became clear that the judge intended to issue a ruling to initiate debt restructuring proceedings, despite the specific request in the application (to initiate assets realization). When asked “For what purpose?” the court explained it was to assess the debtor’s current financial status. But what could the financial state of this debtor possibly be, given that just a couple of months prior, they had been undergoing asset liquidation in a separate bankruptcy case with a claims register exceeding 15 million rubles? This line of reasoning did little to persuade the judge.
And it was at this precise moment that a reference to the legal position outlined in Section 4 of the aforementioned Review of Court Practice in Personal Bankruptcy Cases proved decisive. As it turned out, the judge was aware that the new review had been issued but had not yet had the opportunity to study it by the time of the hearing (June 23, 2025). Consequently, she was unaware of the highest court’s position on the conditions for initiating assets realization against a debtor—upon a creditor’s petition—while bypassing the debt restructuring procedure. Following the citation of this specific legal position by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the court, on its own initiative, called a recess. After the break, the client’s application was reviewed and granted in full: the claims were found to be justified, and the assets realization procedure was initiated against the debtor.
This case serves as a powerful example of how crucial it is in today’s bankruptcy landscape to have access to the most current legal positions of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the ability to apply them promptly and effectively. This is precisely where our expertise is ready to assist you.
June 7, 2025 – The Managing Partner of SDL Legal Workshop took part in the first charity legal badminton tournament in Moscow.
Published: 07.06.2025
The tournament was open to all professionals connected to the legal business: lawyers and attorneys, legal marketers, insolvency officers, legal journalists and conference organizers.
The visionary and driving force behind the event was Viktoria Dergunova (Partner at MZS), and all proceeds from the tournament were donated to the “Children-Butterflies” foundation.
On May 17, 2025, the team of SDL Legal Boutique took part in the “Legal Run 2025” charity race in Moscow.
Published: 17.05.2025
Legal Run is the first international charity race that, since 2014, has been uniting members of a single professional community – lawyers – as well as their friends, colleagues, and partners. Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025 inclusive, the project has managed to raise over 45.5 million rubles and provide assistance to 128 children.
The organization of Legal Run races in Moscow and other cities is made possible each year through the support of leading Russian companies and law firms. In 2025, the project was supported by more than 200 partners across the country. Many of them went beyond mere financial aid and actively engaged in the process: they organized local races, implemented creative initiatives, and volunteered their time. This level of involvement has transformed Legal Run from a charitable initiative into a professional platform for consolidating the legal community. Today, the project brings lawyers together through sport, live communication, and networking, allowing participants to combine team leisure with contributing to a socially significant cause.
«Information Tax» for Insolvency Officer: How To Challenge a Court’s Illegal Demand for a Filing Fee on a Procedural Motion in Bankruptcy
Published: 27.12.2024
December 27, 2024 – Following the State Duma’s adoption of Bill No. 577665-8 (in its third reading on July 23, 2024) significant changes have been introduced to the rules for paying taxes in bankruptcy cases. The bill amends the Russian Tax Code and other legislative acts on court taxes. Now, for any separate litigation considered by a court of first instance within a bankruptcy case, the state duty is set at 50% of the amount specified in Clause 1, Article 333.21 of the Tax Code, regardless of whether the claims are proprietary in nature or not.
Both the bill and the Tax Code seem clear and unambiguous: initiating a separate litigation within a bankruptcy case incurs a state duty. It would seem, what could go wrong? But the problem came from a quarter we least expected…
In December 2024, the Arbitration Court of the Nizhny Novgorod Region suspended proceedings on a motion filed by Pavel Egorov, a partner at SDL Legal Boutique. The motion, submitted on behalf of the debtor’s bankruptcy trustee, sought to compel the individual debtor to provide documents and information. The court suspended the motion because (ATTENTION!) it was not accompanied by proof of payment of a 7,500-ruble state duty, as required by Subclause 9, Clause 1, Article 333.21 of the Tax Code for hearing litigation within a bankruptcy case.
In our practice, this situation is unique because a motion to compel document production from government bodies and the debtor, filed by a bankruptcy trustee, is a purely procedural motion. It is filed in accordance with Part 4 of Article 66 of the Arbitration Procedure Code and Clause 9 of Article 213.9 of the Bankruptcy Law. Such motions, by their very nature under Article 333.21 of the Tax Code, are not subject to a state duty.
Furthermore, according to clarifications provided in the answer to Question 2 of the Review of Court Practice No. 1 (2024) of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation (approved by the Presidium of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2024), the term “litigation” in a bankruptcy case, as referred to in Article 333.21 of the Tax Code, does not encompass any and all procedural petitions. It applies only to petitions aimed at resolving a “DISPUTE OVER A RIGHT” between parties involved in the bankruptcy case. This means a formally recognized disagreement between subjects of civil law, arising from an actual violation or challenge of the subjective rights of one party by another, requiring resolution either by the parties themselves or by the court. Thus, in line with this Supreme Court Review, courts must base their decisions on the understanding that the state duty under Clause 9, Part 1, Article 333.21 of the Tax Code is payable specifically for hearing applications and other claims in a bankruptcy case that are related to resolving an INDEPENDENT SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL DISPUTE.
However, when insolvency officer apply the court for assistance in obtaining documents and information necessary for the proper performance of the duties assigned to them by that same court, there is no substantive legal dispute (dispute over a right) per se. The motive for applying to the court is not the existence of disagreements between the bankruptcy participants regarding certain subjective rights, but rather the failure of the debtor and third parties to fulfill their statutory obligation (under Clause 1, Article 20.3 and Clause 9, Article 213.9 of the Bankruptcy Law) to provide the trustee with information about the debtor and its assets.
Fortunately, after submitting a written legal position to the court in response to the ruling suspending the motion, the unjustified payment of the state duty was avoided, and the motion was accepted by the court for further proceedings.
New Developments in Asset Protection Immunity: How a Debtor Can Safeguard Proceeds from the Sale of his sole residence encumbered by a mortgage
Published: 07.06.2024
June 7, 2024 – the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation in the Ruling No. 28-P dated June 4, 2024, has significantly clarified the legal framework for protecting funds received from the sale of a debtor’s only home that is encumbered by a mortgage. These clarifications remain in effect until relevant amendments are made to federal legislation and establish crucial legal safeguards for citizens undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
Key Legal Positions of the Constitutional Court:
- Preservation of Asset Protection Immunity: Funds obtained from the sale of a sole residence with a mortgage are to be excluded from the bankruptcy estate upon the debtor’s application. Asset protection (enforcement) immunity continues to apply to these funds after deducting amounts allocated to: satisfy the secured creditor’s claims; and fulfill obligations stipulated by paragraphs 2-4 of Clause 5, Article 213.27 of the Bankruptcy Law.
- Proportionality of the New Housing: The amount of protected funds may be reduced in favor of creditors if the sum is sufficient to purchase housing that clearly exceeds the reasonable needs of the debtor and their family. This serves as an important mechanism for balancing the interests of all parties.
- Bad Faith as a Limiting Factor: The court has the right to deny the exclusion of funds from the bankruptcy estate if evidence is provided of: abuse on the part of the debtor; or dishonest conduct similar to the grounds for denying immunity in the sale of unencumbered property.
- Consideration of Spousal Rights: Upon the sale of jointly acquired property encumbered by a mortgage for common spousal obligations, the share of the debtor’s spouse (or former spouse) cannot be excluded from the proceeds until obligations to the secured creditor are fully settled.
From a practical standpoint, these positions create comprehensive protection for the debtor: a legal mechanism emerges for preserving the proceeds from the home sale to purchase a new one, while clear criteria regarding good faith and the accounting of the spouse’s share allow for building a defense strategy in advance and achieving a balance with the interests of creditors.
Our team of personal bankruptcy specialists is ready to provide comprehensive legal support in applying the new clarifications of the Constitutional Court, including preparing applications to exclude funds from the bankruptcy estate and defending against unfounded creditor claims.
To receive an individual consultation regarding your case, please send your inquiry to secretary@lbsdl.ru.
International SDL Partner Session 2023 Successfully Held in Antalya
Published: 27.12.2023
December 27, 2023 — From December 19 to 25, 2023, the company held its annual off-site partner session in Antalya, Turkey. The event served as a platform to summarize the key results and achievements of the outgoing year, 2023.
A central part of the session’s agenda involved a series of productive meetings with the firm’s long-standing clients and business partners. The discussions focused on current business challenges and opportunities for strategic development in the upcoming year.
Key topics of particular interest included recent developments in Turkish customs legislation and the tax implications of obtaining Turkish citizenship. These subjects were highlighted as highly relevant for the company’s international operations and client advisory services.
The session provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and align strategic goals for the future.
SDL Legal Boutique Expands Immigration Services to Argentina
Published:26.09.2023
September 26, 2023 — Starting in 2023, SDL Legal Boutique, in cooperation with its partners in Buenos Aires, now offers a full range of legal services to assist Russian citizens in obtaining Argentine citizenship.
The firm’s expanded service portfolio is designed to support clients navigating the citizenship process on various grounds, including applications facilitated by the birth of a child in Argentina.
This new offering underscores SDL Legal Boutique’s commitment to providing comprehensive international legal solutions to its clients, leveraging its global network to address complex immigration matters.
SDL Legal Boutique Secures Landmark Change to EAEU Customs Code
Published: 11.08.2023
August 11, 2023 — In accordance with the implementation of the ruling by the EAEU Court of Appeals dated March 14, 2023, which was decided in favor of our firm’s client, the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has enacted changes to the EAEU Commodity Nomenclature and the Common Customs Tariff of the EAEU. These amendments, formalized by EEC Board Decision No. 47 of April 11, 2023, pertain to the classification of specific categories of machinery and mechanisms within the EAEU customs code.
Driving change in international law and legal practice for our clients’ benefit. High professionalism, efficiency, and a focus on results.
EAEU Court of Appeals Upholds Ruling in Favor of Client, Rejects EEC Challenge
Published: 08.12.2022
The Appellate Chamber of the Court of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has issued a ruling on the appeal filed by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). The EEC had challenged the December 8, 2022, decision of the Court’s Collegium concerning the inclusion of a specific product classification in the Union’s customs nomenclature.
The contested case involved the legitimacy of subheading 8430 50 000 2, “narrow-width cleaning machines,” within the EAEU’s Unified Commodity Nomenclature. The EEC appealed the initial ruling, which had found that the inclusion of this subheading in the nomenclature, as established by EEC Council Decision No. 80 of September 14, 2021, was not compliant with the foundational EAEU Treaty of May 29, 2014, and the EAEU Customs Code.
The Appellate Chamber has denied the EEC’s appeal, leaving the original December 8, 2022, ruling in favor of our client unchanged. The client’s interests in this landmark case were represented by our firm’s partner, Pavel Egorov.
Link to the EAEU Court announcement:
The Appellate Chamber of the Court of the Eurasian Economic Union has ruled on the appeal filed by the Eurasian Economic Commission against the decision of the Court’s Collegium dated December 8, 2022, regarding the application of LLC “Polish Machines” (courteurasian.org).
On November 15, 2022 the Firm’s Partner Pavel Egorov represented the Firm’s client in the Court of the Eurasian Economic Union court in Minsk. We were pleasantly surprised by the presence of such island of independent judicial will. As a result – the client’s claim has been fully upheld!
Published: 08.12.2022
On November 20, 2022 the Firm’s Partner Dmitriy Smirnov attended a match of Cakallikli Spor football club, presided by Bora Akturk, advocate and our close partner in Turkey. The club goes from strength to strength year by year and occupies top positions in its group. We appreciate our colleagues for the invitation and wish Cakallikli Spor football club further wins!
Published: 20.11.2022
On October 07, 2022 in Montreux, Switzerland, the Firm’s Partner Dmitry Smirnov gave lections and practicums during the course “Law Enforcement and the Judicial System” to students of «BERINGOFF» (Вeringoff International Academy of Law)
Published: 07.10.2022
During 06-13 August, 2022 Firm’s Partner Dmitriy Smirnov helped SDL Legal boutique clients with Corporate Sailing Week event management
Published: 13.08.2022
Firm’s Partner Dmitriy Smirnov know all the right routes in Switzerland
Published: 27.07.2022
From June 30 till July 02, 2022 in Antalya (Turkey) SDL Legal boutique partner session was held
Published: 03.07.2022
During the session Partners of the Firm discussed and approved a number of issues related to further expansion of the Firm’s activity.
During the session Partners of the Firm had a chance not only to meet with Turkish colleagues and discuss plans for further cooperation development, but also to learn about the work of Turkish lawyers in court directly, attending one of the public sessions at the Court of Antalya.
Pavel Egorov became SDL Legal boutique Partner
Published: 01.07.2022
Pavel joined the SDL Legal boutique team in April 2017 and in five years has worked his way up from paralegal/junior associate to partner of the Firm.
Pavel specializes in legal defense in bankruptcy cases and cases of administrative offenses, and also represents clients of the Firm in national and international courts in disputes with customs authorities and Customs Union bodies.
The example of Pavel’s career proves that hard work, responsibility and commitment to the business you love allows to set and achieve any goals.
We are proud of our specialists and colleagues, who have consistently shown excellent results over the years, and we wish Pavel success in his future career path!
This is how the queue at the migration center in Antalya, Turkey, looks like. Beginning from the street. Representing the clients there
Published: 20.06.2022
In June 07-10, 2022 the Firm’s Partner Dmitry Smirnov participated in negotiations with clients during the XXX International specialized exhibition “UGOL RUSSIA AND MINING” (Novokuznetsk)
Published: 10.06.2022
On April 22, 2022, our Firm established a representative office in St. Kitts and Nevis. We provide services to our clients in this jurisdiction
Published: 22.04.2022
April 15, 2022 – we represent our clients in Kazakhstan
Published: 02.02.2022
SDL Legal Network
Published: 02.02.2022
Legal Boutique SDL decided to unite its colleagues and partners to create a unified network of law firms – SDL Legal Network, we have extensive experience and cooperation with many foreign partners in different jurisdictions such as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Latvia, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Poland, Switzerland , Turkey, Cyprus, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, British Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Panama and the USA.
The purpose of creating SDL Legal Network is to provide every member of the network with an opportunity to promptly find specialists in the necessary jurisdiction and always be confident in the quality of services. SDL Legal Network membership will allow its members through close cooperation with legal specialists from other jurisdictions to broaden not only their competence, but also the geography of their clients, without the need to find foreign lawyers independently.
We invite law firms and our partners to the SDL Legal Network. Dozens of reputable law firms and partners in the Legal Boutique SDL Network cooperated on single or joint projects and have already been invited to become members of the SDL Legal Network.
The SDL Legal Network will allow lawyers to increase member competitiveness both within its jurisdiction and at the global level. Our trusted partners will be able to mention to their potential and current clients about their membership in the network and the opportunity to get assistance in more than 20 jurisdictions. This will help to more fully meet the needs of both already existing and potentially new clients; and decrease the number of legal risks.
Southern Russia Legal Forum 2021 (September 09 – 11, 2021)
Published: 02.02.2022
From the 9th to the 11th of September, 2021 the SDL Legal Boutique management participated in the Southern Russia Legal Forum 2021 which was traditionally held in Sochi.
This event was dedicated to the most pressing and vital topics: court practice, bankruptcy and subsidiary liability, business legal risks and criminal liability of managers.
The conference was held in four sessions. Two sessions dealt with business issues: 2021 business legal risk trends, as well as the most acute issues related to administrative, business liability and criminal responsibility.
The third session dealt with key changes in bankruptcy legislation, where the key “bankruptcy” decisions of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in 2020-2021 were analyzed, as well as a review of the most interesting actual tax court practices of the sale of bankruptcy property, contesting debtor’s transactions, personal bankruptcy and subordination of claims against the debtor.
The fourth (special) session was devoted to marketing the personal brand for in-house lawyers and consultants.
SDL Legal Boutique Lawyers supported COVID-19 vaccination
Published: 02.02.2022
Despite the fact that the company’s employees are not in a COVID-19 risk group, due to extensive use of personal protective equipment and observance of social distance most of the employees managed to avoid getting sick with coronavirus, the employees supported vaccination against COVID-19 in order to prevent the virus. Stay healthy!
11.02.2021 – 13.02.2021 – Winter legal week
Published: 02.02.2022
On February, 11th – 13th, 2021 the management of Legal boutique “SDL” participated in the conference Winter Legal Week which was organized by the legal newspaper Pravo.ru and Legal bureau Yug in Sochi. Lawyers from different Russian cities discussed legal problems of businessmen in the post-quarantine period.
Two sessions were held to consider the main triggers that may lead companies to legal violations and, consequently, lawsuits.
In the first session, participants analyzed pandemic business structuring and new post-quarantine legislation, as well as cash transaction controls and tax optimization rules.
During the second session of the forum lawyers discussed bankruptcy and subsidiary liability.
The agenda also included not only acute legal issues, but also a rich informal program in the Sochi Mountains. As an example, on the last day of the program the participants went to the snow-covered mountains on a snowmobile safari.
06.03.2019: Business Breakfast in Moscow: Declaration of foreign assets and citizenship by investment programs
Published: 24.03.2019
On 6th March 2019, the team of Legal Boutique “SDL” participated in a business breakfast, which was dedicated to declaration of foreign assets.
The experts of the event discussed the issues of declaration of foreign assets and filing notifications of controlled foreign companies (“CFC”) with the Russian tax authorities. Furthermore, the new changes in Russian tax legislation, the rules for declaring foreign assets and strategies for behavior under current conditions have also been the subject of discussions.
Nowadays, the issues of CFC due to the new changes in legislation (Chapter 3.4 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation on the CFC and Art. 246.2 on the residence of foreign companies) and signed Agreements for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with many countries have made it increasingly important. In recent years, the number of disputes arising from the use of Russian agreements on the avoidance of double taxation has increased. Therefore, declaration of foreign assets is frequent subject of discussion among business representatives and lawyers.
The participants of the event had the opportunity to have their questions answered. They were mostly interested in information about the deadlines of filing CFC notifications, what documents confirm the active status of CFC (According to the art. 25.13-1 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation), and tax exemption issues.
The special attention was also paid to the benefits of investment programs: from visa-free access to a large number of countries, to favorable tax regimes and guarantees of financial and social security, and the opportunity to obtain second citizenship through investments.
Colleagues from the investment company ASTONS highlighted that Citizenship by investment, undoubtedly, can bring certain benefits, such as free movement without the need to obtain a visa, and the possibility of choosing the nationality of children, etc. On the other hand, there could be some disadvantages, for instance, military conscription in the country of second citizenship, the obligation to notify state authorities about your second citizenship, and tax liabilities.
20.12.2018: The Forum of Heads of Legal Departments
Published: 24.03.2019
On December 20, 2018, Managing Partner of Legal Boutique “SDL” participated in the Forum of Heads of Legal Departments. The Forum was dedicated to the issues of effective management of the legal department. The event was organized by a journal “Legal Insight”.
The speakers of the conference were the heads of legal departments – the winners and nominees of the contest “The Best Legal Departments of Russia”. Different experience of large and medium-sized Russian companies and the experience of state and international corporations were presented on the Forum.
One of the sessions was “Transformation of the role of a lawyer through the eyes of business”. The discussed questions on this session were about positioning yourself within the company; what problems the business sees when interacting with lawyers; how to demonstrate your value to business, etc.
The Managing Partner of our Legal Boutique “SDL” took part in the business game, the purpose of which was to optimize the efficiency of the legal department. The heads of legal departments of the largest companies in the country from different fields took part in the game. The team of our Managing Partner was the second place winner, and won the audience award.
07.11.2018: The 12thInternational Annual IBA Conference “Law Firm Management”
Published: 24.03.2019
Managing Partner of Legal Boutique “SDL” Dmitry Smirnov participated in the 12th International Annual IBA Conference “Law Firm Management”. The conference was organized by the International Bar Association in Moscow on December 7, 2018.
The Conference is a unique and unrivalled platform that unites law firms the world over in discussing issues faced by the legal business. This conference also allows key decision makers to meet and to exchange their experience.
More than 150 members of different Bar Associations and representatives of the leading International and Russian law firms took part in the 12th International Annual IBA Conference this year.
One of the key topics of the conference was the question of managing the high risks of legal practice in the current legal environment. This issue is particularly relevant for attorneys due to the frequent cases of pressure from law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, attorney’s reputational risks and the need of liability imposition for obstruction of advocate activity were also discussed.
The imposition of such responsibility should bring safety for attorneys. Furthermore, the liability for failure to provide a response to an attorney’s request is also needed, it should have a positive effect for adversary proceedings.
