7 Situations When You Need a Lawyer in Russia

Many foreigners try to manage Russian paperwork on their own and call a lawyer only when a dispute is already in court. There are situations where legal advice at the start costs far less than fixing mistakes later. Below are seven of them, with what usually goes wrong and what a lawyer checks.

1. Starting a Company or Investing

Registering an LLC in Moscow looks simple, but the charter, the shareholders' agreement and the distribution of powers decide who controls the business. Foreign shareholders often sign a template charter that gives the local director broad authority. A lawyer drafts the documents so that key decisions require shareholder approval and checks whether sector restrictions on foreign investment apply.

2. Buying or Renting Property

Before paying for an apartment or office, check the ownership history in the Unified State Register of Real Estate, encumbrances, registered residents and the consent of a spouse where needed. Payment should go through a safe method such as a bank letter of credit or escrow. For a lease of a year or more, state registration may be required.

3. Marriage, Divorce and Children

International families face questions of which law applies and which court is competent. A marriage contract signed in Russia must be notarised. Disputes over where a child will live or over taking a child abroad are sensitive and move fast. A lawyer helps to use the right court and to recognise foreign decisions.

4. Working for a Russian Employer

An expat's contract must be in writing and in Russian. Pay attention to the term of the contract, probation, bonus rules and notice periods. If you are dismissed, the deadline to go to court is short, so act quickly and keep copies of all orders and correspondence. A complaint to the labour inspectorate can run in parallel with a lawsuit.

5. Detention or Criminal Investigation

A call from an investigator, a search or a detention requires immediate legal help. You have the right to a lawyer, an interpreter and consular contact. Statements given without counsel are difficult to withdraw later.

6. Receiving an Inheritance

If a relative who owned property in Russia has died, the estate is opened by a Russian notary. The heir has six months to accept it, and missing this term means going to court. Foreign documents confirming kinship must be apostilled and translated.

7. Disputes with Partners or Suppliers

When a Russian counterparty does not pay or deliver, most commercial disputes require a pre-trial claim before filing in an arbitrazh court. Check the contract for a jurisdiction clause and governing law, and gather all documents that prove performance. A lawyer can also advise on enforcing a foreign judgment or arbitral award in Russia.

In any of these seven situations, attorney E. V. Petrova works with foreign clients in business, property, family, employment, criminal and inheritance matters, and in court. Describe your situation briefly and attach the key documents. Advice can be given in English.

The main channel of communication with the lawyer is email: lawyer@lawyer-moscow.com.