Commercial and Contractual Disputes
We provide expert support in high-value Kazakhstan-related investment and commercial disputes, including ICSID, UNCITRAL, and ICC cases, with tribunals consistently accepting our legal assessments.
View all expertiseRepresentative cases
In Arbitration
Sole counsel to Qarmet JSC in a multi-million-dollar international commercial arbitration under the AIFC Arbitration Rules, arising from a major industrial procurement contract. The dispute concerned alleged defects in supplied equipment and involved multiple technical expert examinations, extensive witness testimony, and complex procedural challenges. It required in-depth analysis of contractual interpretation, industry quality standards, causation, and quantum. In its final award issued in September 2025, the tribunal dismissed all claims against Qarmet and granted full relief in its favour, marking a landmark victory with strategic significance for the company’s operations.
Advised and represented Freschette Limited in a multi-million US dollar commercial arbitration under the rules of the Kazakhstan International Arbitration in a dispute with a major local company operating mining facilities. The dispute was resolved through a settlement agreement.
Acted as sole counsel to a MAJOR KAZAKHSTANI TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY in international commercial arbitration under the CIETAC Rules, with the seat in Beijing. The dispute arose from a sales contract for LiDAR equipment used in the construction of a toll road. The case involved complex legal issues regarding the interpretation of Hong Kong and PRC law, particularly concerning the contract’s purpose, delivery timelines, and choice of applicable law.
Prepared an expert opinion on complex theoretical issues of Kazakh law in arbitration proceedings under the AIFC Arbitration Rules arising from complex legal relationships involving an intermediary in the supply of unique and high-value drilling equipment manufactured by a Scottish company for a Kazakhstani geological exploration company.
Represented Can Agri, a major Europe-based company specializing in the production of animal feedstuff, in international commercial arbitration seated in Astana regarding debt recovery. Because the permanent arbitral institution specified in the arbitration clause was liquidated as of the date of claim, we applied for the appointment of an authority to consider the dispute under the procedure stipulated by the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration. The appointed arbitration considered the case and satisfied the client’s claims in full.
Before Kazakhstan Courts
Advised and represented a MAJOR KOREAN CONGLOMERATE before the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan in a dispute involving multiple interrelated multimillion-dollar (USD) transactions for the sale of a company and several land plots in the city.
Advised a GLOBAL OIL & GAS COMPANY on a potential multimillion-dollar claim by its contractor arising from a dispute involving the contractor.
Advised and represented a MAJOR SERVICE PROVIDER (tenant) in a multimillion-dollar dispute against the building owner (landlord) following a fire that completely destroyed the leased building. The court fully dismissed the claim.
Before Kazakhstan Constitutional Court
Issued expert opinion for the purposes of submission to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the unconstitutionality of Article 11-1 of the 2011 Law “On State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Certain Types of Petroleum Products” in view of the amendments introduced in December 2022. The opinion considered both the substance of the new disputable regulations and the procedural compliance in adopting the amendments.
In Foreign Courts
Represented a MAJOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION in a cross-border litigation against a large Kazakhstani construction company, involving parallel proceedings in Russian and Kazakhstani courts. The dispute arose from the principal’s request to terminate a USD 30 million counter-guarantee issued in favor of an Indian bank. The case was settled.
In the AIFC Court
Defended a subsidiary of TotalEnergies EP Danmark before the AIFC Court against a claim exceeding USD 200 million, arising from the sale of shares in an oil and gas company. The client was successfully removed from the list of defendants.
Acted as independent expert before the AIFC Court in Freedom Finance JSC v. Egor Romanyuk (Case No. AIFC-C/CFI/2023/0023), a USD 5 million commercial dispute concerning an alleged breach of a Settlement and Release Agreement. A central issue was the application of Article 297 of the Kazakhstan Civil Code relating to the reduction of contractual penalties. The expert’s 40-page report was adopted in full by Judge Sir Rupert Jackson (former Lord Justice of Appeal of England and Wales), whose judgment agreed with the expert’s position on disputed issues. The decision established a key precedent for the interpretation of Article 297 of the Kazakhstan Civil Code in the AIFC Court.