Erich Rath
+7 495 970-74-16info@erichrath.comTelegram

Commercial disputes, debt collection and asset protection

Legal support of international commercial disputes, debt collection, investment protection and enforcement of court and arbitration decisions in Russia and the CIS countries

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— About practice

A good judgment does not always mean a successful outcome

For international business, litigation is not a goal, but a tool for protecting business.

Even a won case has no practical value if the decision cannot be enforced, the debtor's assets have already been siphoned off, the corporate structure does not allow for foreclosure, and the commercial relationship has been destroyed.

Therefore, effective resolution of a commercial dispute begins long before going to court. It requires an analysis of the debtor's corporate structure, an assessment of collection prospects, an asset protection strategy and an understanding of the commercial logic of the project.

Erich Rath represents the interests of international companies, industrial groups, foreign investors, financial institutions and family offices in commercial disputes, supporting projects between Europe, the UAE, Russia and the CIS countries.

Our task is not to get a court decision. Our task is to achieve commercial results.

— When practice is needed

We support projects if the company:

  • encountered a violation of a commercial contract
  • did not receive payment for an international transaction
  • collects debt from a Russian or foreign counterparty
  • protects investments
  • is involved in a cross-border commercial dispute
  • revealed the withdrawal of assets by the debtor
  • executes a foreign court or arbitration decision
  • accompanies a dispute after an M&A transaction
  • protects interests in negotiations before the start of litigation
  • implements a bad debt recovery strategy

— Expertise

Main directions

Commercial disputes

Most commercial disputes are not related to the contract itself, but to errors in its execution, changes in economic conditions, or conflicts of interest between project participants.

We support commercial disputes, taking into account the industry specifics of the business, the corporate structure of the parties and the prospects for enforcing a future court decision.

  • disputes over supply contracts
  • EPC contract disputes
  • construction disputes
  • disputes over service contracts
  • international commercial agreements
  • Disputes over distribution agreements
  • disputes over agency agreements
  • recovery of damages
  • collection of contractual penalties
  • settlement negotiations

Debt collection

Debt recovery requires an integrated approach that combines negotiations, litigation strategy and analysis of the debtor's property situation.

We develop a collection strategy taking into account the likelihood of execution of the decision and the actual structure of the assets.

  • analysis of recovery prospects
  • claim work
  • negotiations with the debtor
  • judicial collection
  • support of enforcement proceedings
  • support of settlement agreements

International debt collection

Cross-border debt collection requires coordination across multiple jurisdictions.

We assist international creditors in debt collection using mechanisms of various legal systems.

  • cross-border collection
  • coordination of foreign consultants
  • support of several jurisdictions
  • international commercial disputes
  • support for the execution of foreign decisions

Asset tracing

In many cases, the effectiveness of collection is determined by the ability to timely identify the corporate and property assets of the debtor.

We analyze ownership structure, interconnected companies, corporate changes and asset transactions.

  • search for corporate assets
  • ownership structure analysis
  • identification of related companies
  • asset flow analysis
  • preparation of a collection strategy

Execution of court and arbitration decisions

Obtaining a court decision is only one of the stages in protecting the client’s interests.

We support recognition, execution and enforcement of court and arbitration decisions.

  • recognition of foreign judgments
  • enforcement of arbitration awards
  • support of enforcement proceedings
  • interaction with government agencies
  • support for international execution

Investment protection

Investment projects require effective protection of the investor's property interests throughout the entire life cycle of the project.

We support disputes related to violation of investment agreements, corporate obligations and financing agreements.

  • investment disputes
  • protection of corporate rights
  • recovery of damages
  • protection of investors' interests
  • support of negotiations
  • judicial representation

Dispute prevention and risk management

The best commercial dispute is the one that is avoided.

We analyze a company's existing contracts, corporate structure and commercial processes to identify potential sources of future conflict.

  • contractual database audit
  • litigation risk analysis
  • collection strategy assessment
  • recommendations for reducing risks
  • development of mechanisms for ensuring the fulfillment of obligations
  • support of negotiations before a legal dispute arises

— Results

Relevant experience

Representing the interests of an international industrial group in a dispute over a long-term equipment supply agreement

Debt collection under an international commercial contract with subsequent support for the execution of a court decision

Protecting the interests of a foreign investor in a dispute related to the execution of an investment agreement

Comprehensive analysis of the debtor’s corporate structure and development of an asset recovery strategy

Representing the interests of an international company in the recognition and enforcement of a foreign court decision

— Who do we help?

We assist in commercial disputes of companies operating in the following sectors:

  • industrial production
  • mechanical engineering
  • automotive industry
  • energy
  • oil and gas industry
  • metallurgy
  • chemical industry
  • construction
  • transport and logistics
  • international trade
  • information Technology
  • telecommunications
  • pharmaceuticals
  • financial services
  • direct private investment
  • family offices

— Advantages

Why Erich Rath

  • 01support of commercial disputes between companies operating in Europe, UAE, Russia and CIS countries
  • 02a strategy focused on asset recovery and business protection, and not just on obtaining a court decision
  • 03understanding of the corporate structure of international group companies and cross-border projects
  • 04an integrated approach that combines legal advocacy, negotiations, corporate analysis and enforcement
  • 05support of the full cycle - from assessing the prospects of the dispute to the actual execution of the decision

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We support contractual, corporate, investment, construction, industrial and cross-border commercial disputes between legal entities.

Yes. The strategy depends on the terms of the contract, applicable law, location of assets and jurisdictions involved in the project.

Yes. We analyze corporate structure, transactions, related companies and other information necessary to build an effective collection strategy.

Yes. We support the recognition and enforcement of foreign court and arbitration decisions, and also coordinate work with foreign consultants.

Yes. Analysis of contractual documentation, mechanisms for ensuring the fulfillment of obligations and corporate structure can significantly reduce the likelihood of disputes and increase the efficiency of their subsequent resolution.

— See also

Related practices

International trade and cross-border transactionsInternational investments and M&A transactionsCorporate conflicts and protection of interests of ownersSanctions regulation, export controls and risk managementLegal support for business in Russia and the CISCorporate restructuring and business transformation

— Analytics and articles

Insights

All materials

— Discuss the project

Tell us about your task

A commercial dispute is a matter of protecting the value of a business. Erich Rath helps international companies resolve commercial conflicts, recover debt, protect assets and achieve effective execution of decisions in cross-border projects between Europe, the UAE, Russia and the CIS countries.

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