On November 14, 2023, the Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners (RGD) law firm sponsored the Dubai Arbitration Week, organized by the Dubai International Arbitration Center (DIAC), and held a panel discussion on practical issues related to the impact of sanctions on arbitration proceedings.

Moderating the session was Dmitry Dyakin, RGD Partner and Co-Head of the Dispute Resolution Practice. In his opening speech, he addressed the challenges faced by sanctioned parties, after which the participants delved into a detailed discussion on the tools and options that can be used for minimizing the negative effects of sanctions.

Dr. Habib Al Mulla, the Founder of the renowned Habib Al Mulla & Partners law firm, discussed the impact of sanctions on arbitration in Dubai. Yan Kalish, Counsel at the RGD Dispute Resolution Practice, shared strategies to be used in disputes between sanctioned persons and their counterparties from countries that have supported sanctions. Vladimir Pestrikov, Partner at the RGD Dispute Resolution Practice, addressed the intricacies of selecting and changing the place of arbitration in the present-day context.

Anthony Walker, RGD Partner and Head of the English Law Practice, and Shantanu Majumdar KC, the Founder of London Sanctions Advisors Association, provided a brief overview of significant decisions recently made by British courts in relation to sanctions. Yuri Makhonin, Partner at the RGD Dispute Resolution Practice, explored the application of Russian legislation on injunctions against filing claims in a foreign court of justice or arbitration and shared his thoughts on whether Russian anti-sanctions laws would prevail over arbitration clauses.

The panel discussion was attended by over 80 guests, including representatives from Russian and international businesses, the world's leading law firms, and the international arbitration community. The participants actively posed questions to the speakers, which sparked a lively discussion with the audience at the end of the event.