Performed due diligence and developed a structure for acquisition of a leading pharmaceuticals distributor by a major global private equity fund, including developing a tax efficient structure for disposal of the non-core assets prior to the acquisition.

Assisted in developing a tax-efficient structure for acquisition of US assets by a leading Russian steel producer, justifying application of favourable merger-linked US tax treatment for the transaction.

Developed a tax efficient structure for a leveraged buy-out of a major player on the outdoor advertising market by a major global private equity fund, this allowing the bidder to come up with a more competitive tender bid.

Coordinated due diligence in several European jurisdictions and developed an acquisition and post-acquisition management structure for a group of Russian investors acquiring a major shipbuilding company in Europe.

Advised on possible acquisition by a leading global food manufacturer of a leader on the Ukrainian market.

Advised private shareholders of a leading Russian regional retail chain on structuring the chain’s sale to a strategic investor in a way that both managed the family issues of one of the shareholders and minimised the tax liabilities of the other shareholder through taxable gain deferral.

Proposed significant amendments to the tax section of an SPA between two major Russian telecommunications companies suggesting the right level of tax warranties and indemnities to be written into the SPA, substantially improving the level of protection of the buyer against tax risks as compared to the initial draft put forward by the seller.

By suggesting appropriate wording for an SPA, provided the buyer with formal grounds for avoiding payment of withholding tax on top of the acquisition price on an acquisition in Kazakhstan.

One of the biggest multinational manufacturers of float glass and fabricated glass products - drafting documentation securing local tax concession for expansion projects in two Russian regions.

Mars - extensive ongoing tax assistance to  and their Russian subsidiaries in relation to their distribution activities in Russia aimed at tax-efficient structuring of the client’s advertising, promotion and distribution activities in Russia, including adaptation of distribution agreements, structuring of the distribution of point-of-sale materials (POSM) and justifying a no-VAT status of bonuses paid to retailers.

A major operator of an oil & gas exploration project on the Russian continental shelf - advice on the strategy for recovering of more than USD 100 mln in input VAT.

Assistance in VAT structuring of another possible oil & gas exploration project on the Russian continental shelf valued in excess of USD 10 bln for the foreign partner in the project, aimed at minimising potential Russian VAT costs and thus improving the financial viability of the project.

Developed guidelines for a Russian subsidiary of another major global consumer packaged goods company aimed at minimising its non-deductible expenses; by following the guidelines, the Russian subsidiary ultimately saved more than US$ 4mln in profit tax.

Advised a Russian division of a leading professional services firm on reducing its non-deductible expenses by introducing additional supporting documentation; implementation of the recommendations should allow it to save more than US$ 1mln in profit tax.

Helped adapt numerous cross-border agreements on provision of services to Russian subdivisions of international corporations to the requirements of the Russian tax legislation, this including development of the extensive supporting documentation required under Russian tax law and practice.

Developed a mechanism enforceable under Russian law linking payment for an asset to the actual recovery of VAT incurred on that asset by the buyer.

Helped adapt numerous cross-border agreements on provision of services to Russian subdivisions of international corporations to the requirements of the Russian tax legislation, this including development of the extensive supporting documentation required under Russian tax law and practice.

Developed a tax-efficient mechanism for sharing premises-related costs between several entities of an oil services company, thereby allowing it to achieve a substantial reduction in its unrecoverable input VAT.

Developed, for a major foreign retailer, a tax accounting system for losses incurred due to shortages of goods and spoilage of goods during storage. The system enabled the writing off, for profit tax purposes, of any losses due to shortages and spoilage within set limits, including ones not directly related to normal wastage.

Assisted several leading retailers in developing and implementing a tax-efficient reorganisation aimed at segregating real estate and retail operations and consolidating real estate.

Identified serious tax and regulatory risks in the operating model of several multinational companies distributing cosmetics products in Russia under a direct sales model; suggested alternative models, tailored to the needs of each individual client, that minimised the tax and regulatory risks and increased business efficiency.

A Russian subsidiary of a European construction materials manufacturer - complex tax litigation claiming more than USD 5 mln in VAT for which the tax authorities unlawfully. refused to grant tax refund.

One of the biggest retailers of home furnishing products  - defending in a tax case aimed at recovering input VAT on what the tax authorities claimed to be a “bad faith” supplier - an area where the courts tend to favour the tax authorities.

Defended the no-VAT status of bonuses received by a local distributor of a major global consumer packaged goods company.

Developed an innovative tax litigation approach that allowed a Russian subsidiary of a major global retailer to recover input VAT on what the tax authorities claimed to be a “bad faith” supplier - an area where the courts tend to favour the tax authorities.

By actively pursuing recovery of court-related expenses, convinced a local tax office to drop some claims against a Russian division of a leading global automotive manufacturer.

Assisted in developing an innovative tax litigation approach that allowed a Russian subsidiary of a major global packaging manufacturer to recover input VAT on zero-rated supplies with provision of minimal supporting documentation.

Developed an innovative tax litigation approach that allowed a Russian subsidiary of a major global logistics operator to recover input VAT that was recorded in a tax return in a later tax period.

Defended recovery of input VAT related to subsidies received from the Government to reimburse losses arising as a result of applying government-administrated prices.

Supported in court the use of a simplified set of supporting documentation for claiming VAT exemption on reimbursement of warranty-related expenses by a major distributor of foreign cars in Russia; this allowed the client to continue saving on warranty-related administration costs.

Defended a production sharing agreement (PSA) operator in court on a dispute with the local tax authorities, allowing the operator to deduct all the costs on the PSA list, which is wider than the list of costs in the Russian Tax Code. Previously, the tax authorities had insisted that only the operator’s costs meeting the requirements provided for by the Tax Code were deductible.