Dispute Resolution: Belarus

This firm is unanimously recognised for its premium standing in dispute resolution. "It's a leading team of hands-on, experienced partners," sources agree. The ten-strong group represents clients in the CIS Economic Court as well as handling arbitration. Recent notable instructions have included representing a subsidiary of BMW in a dispute with the Belarus customs authorities. The lawyers also successfully defended a foreign company against a damage claim. Timour Sysouev and Igor Verkhovodko are the firm's leading litigation partners. Sources describe them as "simply excellent, long-standing names." Dmitry Bokhan divides his time between dispute resolution and general commercial advice. He is considered to be among the best litigators in the country. Evgeny Malinovsky is particularly known for his tax and customs-related contentious work. "He always comes up with a viable solution," clients report.

The 2010 merger with Vashkevich, Sapego and Khrapoutsky has considerably strengthened this firm's profile in dispute resolution, sources agree. The team of five can also draw on additional resources from its corporate group, where necessary. It mainly acts for local clients, but also advises international and regional businesses, in particular from Russia and Ukraine. Recent instructions have included a number of construction and real estate disputes. Interviewees appreciate the lawyers' ability to build strong client relationships. They are also impressed with the group's time management skills. Andrei Vashkevich is the firm's main force in dispute resolution. "He is a highly regarded litigator, no question about that," sources agree. Alexander Khrapoutsky is noted for his arbitration work, both as counsel and arbitrator.

Since publication, Alexander Khrapoutsky has left this practice.

This well-established firm has restructured its dispute resolution team after the departure of Alexey Anischenko to SORAINEN in 2010. Newly appointed partner Olga Grechko now leads the six-strong litigation team. Sources praise her "results-oriented and personal approach." Managing partner Konstantin Mikhel advises on complex cases. Liliya Vlasova has built a considerable mediation practice in Belarus. The team's recent highlights have included representing Raiffeisen-Leasing in a dispute over recovery of damages, arising as a result of changes of an exchange rate. It also represented Atomium-Security in a dispute over the withdrawal of a licence by the Belarus authorities. "I am 100% happy with the team, especially in terms of delivered results, partner involvement and even reasonable pricing," a client reported.

This local firm is a "serious competitor, present on a wide range of cases", sources say. The team's instructions predominantly come as a result of its corporate engagements and include real estate and IP disputes. The group represented Salamander in a dispute with Like-Pol-B over an attempted annulment of decisions made in a shareholders' meeting. It also advised Unifarm in a trade mark dispute with a Latvian company, Grindeks. Alexander Goretskiy is the firm's leading litigator, described by sources as "experienced and always able to find persuasive arguments." He also often acts as an arbitrator.

This team is being built around Alexey Anischenko, who joined the firm from Vlasova Mikhel & Partners in 2010. "He is a very significant hire to SORAINEN," sources agree, and confirm he has recently acted on a number of interesting cases. The team has grown to four lawyers in under a year. Highlights have included representing Brewery Alivaria in an appeal regarding the reimbursement of ecological tax, paid by the brewery's water supplier. It also acted for Aizkraukles Banka in a complex debt collection case against a Belarusian construction company.

This firm retains its healthy reputation in litigation. Clients report that the team delivers peace of mind on top of its advice: "I am confident that everything possible will be done," an interviewee said. The three-lawyer group recently represented Bellakt before the Supreme Economic Court in a defamation case. It also has a track record of handling telecoms disputes. Dmitry Matveyev is a key contact for the practice.

New to the rankings, the firm is making its mark in dispute resolution, mostly on the back of its corporate/M&A instructions. Out of the firm's 12 lawyers, three dedicate a significant share of their time to dispute resolution. "Its advice is of high quality and it delivers the expected results," clients say. Highlight cases have included advising the Ministry of Justice on its dispute with Russia over export duties for oil products. It also represented DGM Pharma Apparate Handelin in its dispute with the Belarus tax authorities. Dennis Turovets divides his time between general commercial and contentious work.

This local outfit is a recognised player in dispute resolution. "It's definitely visible and growing its market share quite rapidly," sources say. Clients add that the lawyers "tick all the boxes on a wish list." The firm is a popular choice for employment-related disputes. Clients include Globaltech, Hilti and Polipromservice. Maxim Znak is the firm's key litigator. He also advises on commercial law issues.