Can a Russian lawyer prepare an opinion on Russian law for a foreign court?

Yes. A written legal position or an opinion on the content of Russian law and its application in practice can be prepared. Whether and in what capacity it will be admitted — for example, as expert evidence — is governed by the procedural rules of the court's country, so this should be agreed with the foreign colleague in advance.

Can a Russian lawyer represent the client in a foreign court?

As a rule, no. In foreign proceedings the client is represented by lawyers admitted to practise in that jurisdiction. Russian counsel is responsible for the Russian part — the law, the documents, the Russian proceedings — and aligns the position with them.

Send a short summary of the case, your questions on Russian law and the key documents. After reviewing them, the scope, timing and format are agreed: a written position, a consultation or handling the Russian part of the case.

Practice area

Russian counsel for foreign lawyers

A position on Russian law for foreign lawyers and their clients: analysis of Russian documents and court decisions, written legal opinions, handling the Russian part of a case and coordination of parallel proceedings.

The Russian part of an international case

Many international cases raise questions on which a foreign lawyer needs a precise answer under Russian law: how a Russian procedure works, what a Russian judgment means, which time limits apply, how to obtain documents from Russia and how to use them abroad. Russian counsel covers this part and aligns it with the overall strategy led by the foreign colleague.

When this applies

A foreign court needs a position on Russian law

The case involves Russian documents or court decisions

Parallel proceedings or steps in Russia are needed

The client is a Russian national or holds assets in Russia

You need to know how a judgment will operate in Russia

What the lawyer does

Analyses Russian legislation and practice on the question

Prepares a written legal position or opinion

Reviews and explains Russian documents and decisions

Handles the Russian part of the case in Russian courts

Helps obtain documents from Russia for the foreign procedure

What to have ready

A summary of the case and the foreign colleague's questions

Russian documents and court decisions

Materials from the foreign proceedings

Powers of attorney and client information

Where it usually goes wrong

Misreading Russian procedure and time limits

Documents from Russia not prepared for the foreign procedure

Uncoordinated positions across countries

Missed deadlines in the Russian part of the case

FAQ

Questions and answers

Can a Russian lawyer prepare an opinion on Russian law for a foreign court?: Yes. A written legal position or an opinion on the content of Russian law and its application in practice can be prepared. Whether and in what capacity it will be admitted — for example, as expert evidence — is governed by the procedural rules of the court's country, so this should be agreed with the foreign colleague in advance.
Can a Russian lawyer represent the client in a foreign court?: As a rule, no. In foreign proceedings the client is represented by lawyers admitted to practise in that jurisdiction. Russian counsel is responsible for the Russian part — the law, the documents, the Russian proceedings — and aligns the position with them.
How do we start?: Send a short summary of the case, your questions on Russian law and the key documents. After reviewing them, the scope, timing and format are agreed: a written position, a consultation or handling the Russian part of the case.

Consultation

Discuss your situation

Briefly describe the situation, the countries involved and any deadlines. The fee and format are agreed before the consultation.

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