About the practice:
We are proud to have one of the strongest insolvency practices in Russia (according to major clients and key legal ratings). We:
All the firm’s lawyers are involved in handling insolvency cases under the guidance of KK&P Managing Partner Maxim Kulkov and partner Nikolay Pokryshkin (the partner leading the firm’s insolvency practice).
In 2015-2019, Nikolay Pokryshkin and the team represented clients with claims of app. US$600 million in 51 insolvency cases of Russian oil and gas, distribution, transport, logistics and construction companies, light and heavy industry plants, banks and their beneficiaries (individuals), as well as in dozens of related parallel disputes in Russia and the EU. For example, the firm’s representation of a major bank recognised by the Central Bank of Russia as a core part of the Russian economy and an international oil trader with total claims worth more than US$74.6 million in the bankruptcy of two oil companies was listed among the Top-10 most interesting bankruptcy proceedings in Russia in 2017.
In addition to participating in insolvency cases directly, we provide complex collection services, including:
Maxim Kulkov regularly acts as a recognised expert on Russian insolvency law and cross-border bankruptcy issues. Within the last two years alone, he prepared more than a dozen expert reports:
Here are some examples of the firm’s clients’ feedback on insolvency projects:
They do an excellent job of managing a large number of proceedings, and are always responsive and cognisant of the client’s concerns. Chambers Europe 2018, Restructuring/Insolvency: Litigation – Russia
In trial proceedings, Nikolay literally ‘forced’ the judges to create a new practice using his persuasive skills and was always one step ahead of our opponents (a very well-known law firm), who acknowledged his professionalism in backstage talks and in the corridors of the courts. He is very precise when it comes to the nuances of his specialist field which can clearly be seen in what he is doing. It is intrinsic for Nikolay to apply an extraordinarily effective approach, pinpoint the problem and detect opponents’ legal traps early on. GALA-FORM and SMANN SA oil and gas traders, 2018
A distinctive feature of Nikolay, in addition to his awesome professional qualities, is a high degree of customer focus. Nikolay is always prompt, quickly delves into the essence of the client’s needs and gives the required result in a short time. B&N BANK, 2018
Examples of projects:
Representing the interests of Raiffeisen Bank and GALA-FORM in relation to app. US$73 million-worth of claims in the insolvency proceedings of oil and gas companies Enisey and NGK Razvitie Regionov. The case was listed among the Top-10 most interesting bankruptcy proceedings in Russia in 2017 (according to Pravo.ru).
Representing JSC Arktikgaz (a joint venture between Novatek and Gazprom Neft) in the case of insolvency of a contractor in the course of contesting transactions allegedly designed to benefit the client to the tune of app. US$12 million.
Representing Raiffeisenbank at every stage of the insolvency of a debtor company with a debt exceeding US$45.5 million secured by the pledge of one of the largest shopping malls in Russia.
Defending German senior executives of a Russian company (and a major German holding) from subsidiary liability amounting to US$7.5 million. The case is complicated by numerous incidents and negative testimony given by former employees of the debtor, the participant, and the general director of the debtor.
Representing Cypriot company Genemedix Enterprises Limited in the case of the insolvency of its subsidiary (a refined oil production plant in Stavropol Krai) under a dispute over the client’s subsidiary liability.
Representing Caterpillar Financial as lender in the case of the bankruptcy of lessee CJSC Holding Centre. The firm’s lawyers participated in separate disputes regarding the debtor’s transactions and the declaration of the bankruptcy trustee’s actions as unlawful.
Representing a major Kazakh oil and gas company with public ownership in a dispute arising in connection with the client’s contractor’s failure to perform its obligations properly. The case was complicated by the insolvency of the contractor and its filing of several counterclaims.
Representing a foreign beneficiary (an equipment manufacturer) in the insolvency case of a Russian subsidiary in a corporate conflict with a Russian partner.
Representing a Czech bank as collateral lender in the insolvency of an oil company in the Republic of Dagestan with total claims amounting to US$17.2 million.
Participation by Maxim Kulkov as an expert in cross-border insolvency in a State Court of New York case relating to a claim by a Russian state bank for the recovery of a debt of app. US$30 million from an insolvent beneficiary.
Participation by Maxim Kulkov as a Russian law expert in proceedings in the London Court of International Arbitration relating to a dispute between a UAE state investment company and a Russian property developer over an amount of app. US$173 million as an expert in Russian law, including Russian insolvency law.
Preparation of Maxim Kulkov’s expert opinion for the High Court of Justice (UK), in connection with the bankruptcy of a major private bank. The opinion concerns the lawfulness of the recovery from a former shareholder of the bank’s assets worth over app. US$1.5 billion which it illegally transferred.
Maxim Kulkov’s participation in the London Court of International Arbitration as a Russian law expert (on signs of an artificial insolvency and bankruptcy misconduct) in a dispute between shareholders in a major e-commerce platform on the recovery of app. US$500 million in losses.