Arbitration analysis: In a landmark decision in Case No А45-19015/2023 (the ‘Decision’) rendered last month, the Russian Supreme Court (‘Court’) ruled that tribunals formed of nationals of ‘unfriendly’ states are presumed to lack independence and impartiality unless proven otherwise. The Court considered the cassation appeal against the rulings of lower courts, which recognized and enforced an award rendered by a FOSFA tribunal seated in London. The tribunal was constituted of nationals of Ukraine, Great Britain, and Denmark, all of which are included in ‘the list of foreign states and territories conducting unfriendly actions against the Russian Federation, Russian entities and persons’ by the Russian Government (so-called ‘unfriendly’ states). The Court disagreed with the lower courts, overturned the rulings sending the case back for reconsideration, including on the ground that the courts failed to consider the presumed lack of independence and impartiality as a basis for a public policy objection under Russian law and the New York Convention. Written by Taisiya Vorotilova, senior associate at Baker McKenzie, Dubai.

Arbitration analysis: Is the introduction of international sanctions against a person sufficient to justify a move of the agreed dispute resolution forum to Russia? This has been a hot topic for discussion since June 2020. In JSC Uraltransmash v PESA, the Russian Supreme Court has put an end to this debate. Ivan Teselkin, partner, Maria Dolotova, of counsel, Sergei Eremin, senior associate, Alexander Gridasov, senior associate, and Olga Dementyeva, associate, of Herbert Smith Freehills discuss the decision.

Arbitration analysis: On 2 October 2017, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation upheld a decision refusing to recognise and enforce an SCC arbitration award issued in favour of Italian manufacturer, SPIG, against the indirectly state-owned Russian company, Promkontroller. Mariya Lazarova of the CIS Arbitration Forum considers the background to the decision and the practical implications.

Law360, London: A Siberian regional airline had to retain leased aircraft after the Russian invasion of Ukraine to avoid 'social unrest', an executive for one of the aircraft lessors suing their insurers told a London trial on 24 October 2024.

Law360, London: A Ukrainian-Russian tycoon's wife lost her fight to lift UK sanctions against her on 24 January 2025 as an appellate court ruled that the restrictions were a proportionate way of undermining the Kremlin after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Law360: The EU lacked justification to sanction billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov following Russia's invasion of Ukraine since there's no credible evidence he's a leading figure in economic industries vital to the government, an EU court ruled 29 May 2024.

Law360: The EU's General Court upheld sanctions against Russian billionaire Igor Rotenberg on 19 June 2024, ruling that there is enough evidence to show he profited from Russia supporting companies he managed and owned shares in.

Law360, London: Russian billionaire Alexander Ponomarenko on 5 March 2025 lost his fight to lift EU sanctions imposed after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, with an EU court ruling that the restrictions should remain in place.

Law360, London: A London judge ruled on 27 May 2025 that it is 'not in the interest of justice' to halt creditors trying to enforce a Russian court's judgment against a Russian businessman while he lives in the UK.

MLex: Nevinnomyssky Azot and Novomoskovskiy Azot, part of Russian fertilizer giant EuroChem, are challenging the European Commission’s dumping duties imposed on imports of mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate from Russia into the bloc.

Law360:The number of Russian litigants using London's commercial courts has collapsed in the past year amid tightening sanctions on individuals and businesses tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine, a report published 22 May 2024 said.

Law360, London: The number of Russian litigants using London's commercial courts has more than doubled in the past year and could be a signal that sanctions have had little long-term impact on judgments, an advisory firm reported 20 May 2025.