LEGAL SERVICES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

OUR SERVICES

• Litigation / Administrative procedures

   

  SGA lawyers represent clients in tax, business, customs, land and administrative disputes. For this purpose, SGA has a team of highly qualified lawyers experienced in representing and defending clients in the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan of all levels: local trial courts, regional and city courts, appellate and cassation courts, specialized economic and administrative courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

   

  We have experience in representing our clients in pre-trial settlement procedures on tax and customs disputes with Kazakhstan tax and customs authorities, as well as with law enforcement authorities in criminal or administrative proceedings resulting from additional tax assessments.

   

  SGA lawyers represented clients in disputes arising from property and ownership rights and various contractual relations, investment activities and subsoil use, as well as labor and antimonopoly controversies. Our lawyers provide services at the stage of enforcement of court rulings and arbitral awards in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• Assessment of legal risks

   

  SGA provides advice to its Clients to identify and eliminate or minimize the existing risks, and determine potential risks arising from the general course of Clients' business. SGA analyzes and generates recommendations based on various aspects and particlulars of the Clients' activity, and offers comprehensive solutions to minimize legal and tax impacts of the risks.

   

  In the legal practice of SGA this type of service is highlighted as a separate self-direction and is one of the most sought-for the Clients. According to SGA’s practice, the demand for services in this area is primarily determined by the fact that the Clients receive advice and recommendations for dealing with negative effects that have already occurred. In such cases, the Client is usually limited in time and needs to come up with an effective solution that would meet all requirements of the law and minimize or eliminate such effects. Extensive practical experience, professionalism and mobility of SGA team predetermined its successful practice, and highly appreciated by our Clients.

   

  SGA lawyers always make account of the specifics of the Clients' business and particulars of each situation, resulting effects of a problem and overall interests of the Client. SGA exercises an integrated approach to risk assessment and determination of the negative consequences that have arisen or may arise with the Client under specific circumstances. This approach allows us to assess the risks in the aggregate, including administrative, legal and tax risks, which are always interrelated and should be considered together for effective problem solving.

   

  For these purposes SGA team consists of the leading and most experienced lawyers and experts in the areas of accounting and taxes, which is specifically formed depending on perculiarities and nature of risks, to achieve the most effective solution for the Client.

• Subsoil use, Energy and Environment

   

  SGA provides legal, regulatory and transactional guidance to clients engaged both in mining, oil and gas exploration, production and delivery of traditional and alternative fuels throughout the Caspian region. Our lawyers with experience in regulatory compliance issues assist domestic and foreign business clients in complying with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements of national regulations and international treaties.

• Anti-Corruption/Foreign Corrupt Practices FCPA

   

  SGA has extensive experience in providing advice and defending clients with regards to application of Kazakhstan anti-corruption law, FCPA and other international anti-corruption laws.

   

  Our lawyers have represented clients in all aspects of Kazakhstan anti-corruption law, including internal FCPA and Kazakhstan anti-corruption compliance reviews and investigations.

• Customs law

   

  SGA represent clients in investigations carried out by customs authorities and in customs disputes, including filing of appeals against actions of customs authorities, customs duty notifications and other customs acts. To this end, we have a team of practicing lawyers that specialize in representing and protecting client before custom authorities and in courts of all instances of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• Labor law and Resolution of Labor Disputes

   

  SGA provides advice on issues of labor legislation and documentation of labor relations, including rotational shifts and recruitment of foreign nationals. We prepare full package of relevant internal documents, such as employment agreements, job descriptions and employment policies for our clients to ensure that their labor practices are in compliance with applicable labor laws.

   

  SGA lawyers are members of the Working Group that develops legislation and provide legal advice on recruitment of foreign labor in Kazakhstan.

   

  Our lawyers have experience in resolving labor disputes and conflicts in out-of-court proceedings and representing clients in negotiations with trade unions on collective labor contracts. SGA also represents clients in the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan if out-of-court agreements are not reached.

• Enforcement of Court Decisions

   

  SGA represents clients during all stages of court enforcement. For this purpose, SGA have associates who have previously worked as bailiffs, and have extensive enforcement experience. We apply all legal actions to reach solutions in the most efficient manner.

• Taxes, International Taxation and Tax Structuring

   

  SGA lawyers provide legal advice on all Kazakhstan and international taxation issues, including application of double taxation treaties and tax structuring. The experience of our lawyers in tax litigations allows us to advice taking into account the existing practice in the application of tax laws by courts and tax authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• Business law (Civil law)

   

  SGA lawyers are qualified and provide legal advice and support in negotiating and execution of civil transaction related to land, licensing, leasing, customs and currency control, IP rights protection, anti-monopoly and investment legislation, and any other matters arising in the course of relevant business operations.

• Corporate law, Mergers and Acquisitions

   

  SGA lawyers have experience in establishing joint ventures, facilitating corporate restructurings for mergers and acquisitions of Kazakhstan companies, as well as in liquidations and bankruptcies. SGA lawyers have performed “due diligence” on behalf of several foreign investors in the oil and gas, telecommunications and industrial sectors in Kazakhstan.

• International Commercial Arbitration

   

  SGA lawyers have solid experience in representing clients that are subject to the international public law and international commercial arbitration.

   

  SGA lawyers have served as experts on Kazakh law in leading international commercial arbitrations and international procedures in foreign countries, which unequivocally confirm the ability of SGA court lawyers to handle difficult court procedures in different jurisdictions.

   

  Some of SGA lawyers are the members of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and were awarded “Best team of lawyers of the Republic of Kazakhstan in International Arbitration” (Lawyers, Academics & Consultants Awards 2009).

  SGA’s court and arbitration practice demonstrates that economic interests of SGA’s clients increasingly go beyond the Kazakhstan jurisdiction. With that in mind and in order to provide wide-reaching support to its clients, SGA, within the International Global Legal Network “Prae Legal”, closely cooperates with leading law firms from 150 countries, including Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland, Netherland, Italy, Singapore, China, Turkey, Luxemburg and other countries.