Frequently Asked Questions

Most people who write to Moscow advocate Elena Petrova live outside Russia and ask the same things first: whether the case can run without a trip to Moscow, how to confirm her status, what the work will cost and in which language it will be done. The short answers are yes, through the public register, by a written quote per stage, and in English for everything except court filings.

Below, each question is answered in more detail, so you know what to send and what to expect.

Working From Abroad Without a Trip to Moscow

Do I need to come to Russia? In most civil, inheritance, property and commercial matters, no. The advocate acts for you under a power of attorney, attends hearings, meets notaries and files papers. Your personal presence is needed only when the law requires it, for example for certain testimony, and such cases are flagged at the start.

How is the power of attorney signed? Two routes exist. You can sign it at a Russian consulate in your country, or before a local notary and then obtain an apostille. The second route also needs a certified translation into Russian once the document reaches Moscow.

How do I receive updates? By email in English after every meaningful step: a filing, a hearing, a notary appointment, a reply from an authority.

Checking That Your Lawyer Holds Advocate Status

The Moscow City Chamber of Advocates keeps an online register. Search it by surname or by registration number 77/13551. An advocate also holds an official identity card (udostoverenie) issued by the Ministry of Justice, which can be shown on a video call.

People often ask how an advocate differs from a "yurist". The table shows the practical difference.

Fees and the Retainer Agreement

How is the price set? You send documents, they are reviewed, and you receive a written quote broken down by stage. The figure is fixed in the retainer agreement before any work starts.

What is not included? State duties, expert examinations, notary charges and translations are paid separately. In civil disputes the winning side can ask the court to recover these costs from the other party. Details are on the Fees page.

Language of Work and Court Documents

Consultations, written opinions and progress reports are in English. Russian courts accept filings only in Russian, so claims, motions and appeals are drafted in Russian. You receive an English summary of each document before it is filed and of each ruling after it is issued.

If a hearing requires your participation, the court may appoint an interpreter or allow you to bring one. This is arranged in advance.

How Quickly Work Can Begin

Standard matters usually start within one or two business days after the retainer is signed. Some situations cannot wait: a procedural deadline about to expire, a detention, a frozen bank account, an interim measure against your property. Say so in the subject line of your first email, and it will be reviewed first.

Timelines for the whole case depend on the court and the stage. A first-instance civil case in Moscow often takes several months, and an appeal adds more. The estimate is given in writing together with the quote.

What to Send for a First Assessment

Scans or photos are enough at this stage. Useful materials include:

• contracts and their annexes;
• decisions of courts or state bodies, with the date you received them;
• correspondence with the other side;
• for inheritance, details of the death certificate and any will.

After reading them, the advocate replies with follow-up questions and a preliminary view of the options.

Confidentiality of What You Share

Information you give an advocate is protected by law as advocate secrecy from the first message, even before a retainer is signed. It cannot be disclosed to authorities or third parties without your consent. Documents are stored and exchanged only for the purpose of your matter.

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