Sanctions Law
The legal landscape surrounding sanctions is one of the fastest-changing areas of law. International sanctions are playing an increasingly important role in global politics and often have immediate and significant consequences for businesses – ranging from asset freezes and transaction restrictions to reputational damage, the loss of banking relationships and far-reaching enforcement proceedings. In a climate of successive rounds of sanctions and increasingly diverging geopolitical tensions, the need for legal guidance is greater than ever.
As a boutique firm specialising in sanctions, we offer extensive legal expertise in this field. Our sanctions team covers the full spectrum: from day-to-day compliance issues and transaction screening to the most complex and sensitive matters and enforcement issues involving criminal liability risks for senior executives and directors. Our team is uniquely positioned to provide strategic advice on complex legal, regulatory and compliance challenges, drawing on our extensive experience as solicitors and former in-house legal counsels at international banks and in the corporate sector, combined with our in-depth knowledge of how sanctions regimes are applied in practice by both European and US authorities.
We can support you in all matters relating to economic sanctions and embargoes. For example, we develop and implement global strategies, assess the impact of government policy and regulations, and carry out due diligence proceedings and provide transaction advice. In addition, we draw up compliance programmes, conduct internal investigations and assist with regulatory investigations – including the preparation and submission of voluntary self-disclosures to national and foreign authorities. Where necessary, we provide legal defence in administrative and criminal enforcement proceedings.
Thanks to our unique position in the market and many years of experience, we are able to quickly determine the right strategy and, where necessary, liaise directly with the relevant authorities. Our team of experienced sanctions specialists are always up to date with the latest developments and offer tailored support: practical and goal-oriented where possible, in-depth and strategic when a complex case requires it. We believe that the best results stem from a long-term partnership, in which we act as a reliable sparring partner, proactively contributing ideas to address our clients’ challenges and ambitions.
Together with our litigation practice, we are able to represent and defend our clients to the highest standard should legal disputes arise. All in all, Agorax offers a full spectrum of legal services under one roof.
Experience
- Issues relating to European and US sanctions law.
- The assessment of transactions and business relationships, including the screening of UBO structures, shareholders, intermediaries and high-risk jurisdictions.
- The establishment, assessment and improvement of sanctions compliance programmes and internal control measures.
- Voluntary self-disclosures to competent authorities.
- Internal investigations into (suspected) breaches of sanctions legislation and the legal handling thereof.
- Assistance in administrative, civil and criminal enforcement and supervisory proceedings.
- Sanctions-related disputes with financial institutions, including de-risking, correspondent banking relationships, payment blocks and the termination of banking services.
- Due diligence and transactions in the context of mergers, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures with a sanctions or export control dimension.
- Applying for exemptions under sanctions legislation.
- Training courses, workshops and programmes for directors, lawyers, compliance professionals and commercial teams.
- Cases in which our team has been involved include:
- Assisting a global market leader in the drinks industry in obtaining licences to provide services to its Russian subsidiary.
- Advising an international consumer electronics company on the sale of its Russian subsidiary, including the transfer of assets.
- Successfully advising a listed multinational in the medical technology sector on obtaining general export licences for the supply of medical products to Russia.
- Assisting a logistics service provider in proceedings concerning the applicability of the EU Blocking Statute, both at first instance and on appeal.
- Advising an international company on the options for a capital injection into its Russian subsidiary within the framework of applicable sanctions law.
- Providing comprehensive legal support to a sanctioned party, including strategic advice, applying for exemptions and representing the party in dealings with competent authorities, financial institutions and other relevant parties.
- Advising a multinational on the scope and applicability of exceptions and exemptions under European sanctions law.
