Trial judge appointed special examiner to hear the evidence of a sanctioned Russian litigant and his witness in Dubai (Gorbachev v Guriev) – Gatehouse Chambers

Posted March 15th, 2024 in chambers articles, dispute resolution, news, Russia, sanctions, witnesses by sally

‘Dispute Resolution analysis: HHJ Pelling, the trial judge in a piece of commercial litigation in England has approved an order by which he was appointed a special examiner to hear the evidence of sanctioned Russian Defendant and a witness on his behalf, his son in Dubai. The witnesses could not give evidence in England and Wales due to a travel ban imposed by the sanctions Regulations. This decision contrasts with a recent decision in the SKAT Litigation.’

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Gatehouse Chambers, 20th February 2024

Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk

Unmanaged illegal migration brings rule of law into disrepute – Chalk – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 2nd, 2024 in immigration, international law, news, rule of law, Russia, Ukraine, war by sally

‘Unmanaged illegal migration risks bringing the rule of law into disrepute, the lord chancellor said last night. In a speech to legislators and lawyers during a visit to the US, Alex Chalk MP said such migration “disregards borders and is putting undue pressure on the national systems of rules-based countries like ours and is a fundamental challenge to our democracies.”‘

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Law Society's Gazette, 1st February 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Financial Sanction and Free Speech in the High Court – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Graham Phillips, the Claimant, is a British national and video blogger who posts content from the Donbass dressed in Russian military fatigues. He says he is a journalist who provides a “counterbalance” to widespread western misunderstanding of the true situation in Ukraine but the Administrative Court disagrees. On 12 January 2024, it handed down judgment in R (Phillips) v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2024] EWHC 32 (Admin), in which it upheld the Government’s view that the Claimant is a propagandist for Russia who is lawfully subject to a sanctions regime which allows the state to freeze his assets.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 25th January 2024

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Failure to Prevent Fraud – Being a Friend of Business – Guildhall Chambers

Posted November 15th, 2023 in chambers articles, company law, fraud, money laundering, news, Russia, Ukraine by sally

‘The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. An initial Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 was passed at speed in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine to deter Russian oligarchs from laundering money in the London property market. This 2023 Act follows on as part of a welcome Parliamentary focus on how economic crime can impact the international reputation and stability of the UK as well as its cost to the Exchequer.’

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Guildhall Chambers, 31st October 2023

Source: www.guildhallchambers.co.uk

‘Designed to distress and deter’: the impact of Slapp lawsuits on journalists and free speech – The Guardian

Posted November 6th, 2023 in defamation, disclosure, freedom of expression, human rights, media, news, Russia by tracey

‘Individuals and campaigners tell of damage done by powerful people using the courts to try to shut down investigative reporting.’

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The Guardian, 3rd November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sanctioned company has “right to access courts”, appeal judges rule – Legal Futures

Posted October 10th, 2023 in brexit, costs, freezing injunctions, news, Russia, sanctions, stay of proceedings by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has rejected a Russian tycoon’s bid to stay an $850m claim brought against him by two Russian banks, despite one of them being sanctioned, citing the right to access the courts.’

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Legal Futures, 9th October 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UK government’s refusal to confirm Skripal spy role is ‘surreal’, lawyers say – The Guardian

Posted September 7th, 2023 in news, poisoning, Russia, spying by sally

‘Lawyers for the family of the woman who died in the Wiltshire novichok poisonings have claimed the UK government’s refusal to confirm that Sergei Skripal was a spy was like a scene from Alice in Wonderland.’

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The Guardian, 6th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK to declare Wagner group a terrorist organisation – The Guardian

Posted September 6th, 2023 in government departments, news, proscribed organisations, Russia, terrorism, Ukraine, war by sally

‘The Wagner mercenary group will be declared a terrorist organisation, the Home Office has announced.’

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The Guardian, 5th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dalston Projects Limited and others v Secretary of State for Transport – Blackstone Chambers

Posted August 29th, 2023 in detention, ministers' powers and duties, news, Russia, sanctions, ships by sally

‘High Court has handed down its first decision on an application brought under s.38 of the Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (“SAMLA”) in respect of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (“Russia Sanctions Regulations”).’

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Blackstone Chambers, 21st July 2023

Source: www.blackstonechambers.com

Refugee wins last-minute extradition reprieve after trying to return from holiday – The Guardian

Posted August 29th, 2023 in extradition, Italy, news, refugees, Russia, United Nations by sally

‘A refugee who was threatened with extradition when he tried to return to Britain after holidaying in Italy has won a last-minute reprieve.’

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The Guardian, 29th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Emphasis on sanctions compliance legal advice record-keeping under new licence – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government has granted a general licence to enable UK lawyers to provide legal advice to non-UK individuals and businesses in relation to their compliance with international sanctions on Russia, without breaching UK sanctions regulations themselves.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd August 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Electoral Commission apologises for security breach involving UK voters’ data – The Guardian

Posted August 9th, 2023 in data protection, elections, electoral register, news, Russia by tracey

‘Confidence in the UK’s electoral regulator has been thrown into question after it emerged a hostile cyber-attack accessing the data of 40 million voters went undetected for a year and the public was not told for another 10 months.’

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The Guardian, 8th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK imposes sanctions on Russian judges for sentencing of Putin opponent – The Guardian

Posted August 1st, 2023 in expert witnesses, judges, news, Russia, sanctions, sentencing, treason by sally

‘The UK government has imposed sanctions on those involved in the “deplorable” sentencing of the dual-national dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza after a Russian court dismissed his appeal against a 25-year sentence.’

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The Guardian, 31st July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assessing the Right to Family Life in UK Immigration Appeals: A Case Study of a Russian National – EIN Blog

Posted July 24th, 2023 in appeals, families, human rights, immigration, married persons, news, Russia, visas by tracey

‘Introduction: Within the intricate realm of immigration appeals, the appellant’s right to family life often emerges as a focal point. This article delves into a specific case study that elucidates the intricacies and challenges encountered when evaluating this fundamental human right within the context of an immigration appeal. The case revolves around an appellant, a Russian citizen, who seeks permission to remain in the United Kingdom (UK) as the spouse of a British citizen. Through a comprehensive analysis, this article aims to shed light on the pertinent factors and the delicate balance required in determining the appellant’s right to family life.’

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EIN Blog, 21st July 2023

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Abramovich ally begins high court challenge against UK sanctions – The Guardian

‘Eugene Shvidler, a longtime ally of the billionaire Roman Abramovich, has accused the UK government of “oppressive treatment” as he launched a legal challenge against sanctions imposed upon him after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.’

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The Guardian, 20th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ban on providing legal advisory services to Russians comes into force – Legal Futures

Posted June 30th, 2023 in barristers, legal profession, legal services, news, Russia, sanctions, Ukraine, war by tracey

‘A ban on UK lawyers providing “legal advisory services” to Russians comes into force today as the government ratchets up sanctions following the Ukraine invasion yet further.’

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Legal Futures, 30th June 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB survey of sanctions compliance at the Commercial Bar finds good levels of compliance but room for improvement in some areas – Bar Standards Board

Posted June 30th, 2023 in barristers, news, Russia, sanctions, Ukraine, war by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published a thematic review of sanctions compliance focused on 31 chambers that are members of the Commercial Bar Association. The BSB generally found that barristers were aware of the risks of unwittingly engaging with a designated person without a licence and that they were taking a cautious approach to compliance. We also found examples of good practice which we would encourage all barristers and their chambers or entity staff to consider regardless of their area of practice.’

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Bar Standards Board, 28th June 2023

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Repayment prevented by sanctions – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 30th, 2023 in debts, interest, loans, news, repayment, Russia, sanctions by sally

‘In a novel application of the ancient equitable jurisdiction that protects a debtor’s right to redeem mortgaged property, after a short trial, Mr Justice Green granted Fortenova Grupa’s redemption action against LLC Shushary Holding – a subsidiary of VTB Bank PJSC, sanctioned in the UK, EU and US. The action concerned €1.157bn of senior secured floating rate notes issued by Fortenova and due to mature in September 2023; 38% of the notes were owned by Shushary.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 26th May 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Russian racing driver in High Court bid to get sanctions lifted – The Independent

Posted May 4th, 2023 in news, Russia, sanctions, sport, Ukraine by tracey

‘Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepin has begun a High Court fight with British government ministers after being made subject to sanctions in the wake of Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine.’

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The Independent, 3rd May 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Inquiry into novichok death of Dawn Sturgess to begin in autumn 2024 – The Guardian

Posted April 4th, 2023 in inquiries, news, poisoning, Russia, spying by sally

‘The long-awaited independent inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess in the Wiltshire novichok poisonings will begin in autumn 2024, the Guardian can reveal.’

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com