Russia and the Gulf countries continue to deepen economic cooperation, which becomes especially important against the backdrop of sanctions restrictions. The Russian-Gulf Business Forum: New Ties, New Opportunities (took place in Moscow on 24 September 2024) provided an opportunity for a comprehensive discussion of both business prospects and legal issues related to the activities of Russian companies in the region.

Highlights of the event in our report.

On 27.09.2024 the Decree of the Government the Russian Federation No. 1278 was published. This Decree amends for the Regulation on Patent and Other Fees for Legally Significant Actions.

Lidings is pleased to announce that in accordance with Federal Law N 394-FZ "On the State Council of the Russian Federation" dated December 8, 2020 and Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin dated July 22, 2024, N 613 "On the Commissions of the State Council of the Russian Federation in the areas of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation and their chairmen", Stepan Guzey, partner of the firm, has been included in the expert council of the State Council of the Russian Federation's commission on the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic.

Also, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin dated August 13, 2024 N 691 Stepan was included as an expert in the Council for the Protection of National Interests of the Russian Federation in the Arctic of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation.

On 1 September 2024, a joint order of the Ministry of Industry and Trade No. 3554 and the Ministry of Health No. 406n dated 7 August 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the “Order”) entered into force, approving a new procedure for providing the Ministry of Industry and Trade with information on medicines necessary for the purposes of licensing their production and inspecting the subjects of their circulation for compliance the requirements of good manufacturing practice. The Order replaced the previously existing procedure for interdepartmental interaction between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

On September 24, 2024, Moscow hosted the Russian-Gulf Business Forum: New Connections, New Opportunities, a central platform for exploring business prospects in the Gulf. The event highlighted new avenues for collaboration and showcased the commitment of key market players to deepen ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

Bankruptcy Law has gone through many changes over the past summer, but perhaps the hottest of them all was published on 29.5.2024 and applies to petitions filed after the date, regardless of the date of the procedure used in the bankruptcy case. We propose to familiarize ourselves with the most significant of them.

On September 8, new state fees came into force for applications by legal entities and individuals to arbitration courts and courts of general jurisdiction. The new procedure applies to any applications and complaints filed with the court from September 9, 2024.

On 8 August Federal Law No. 300-FZ came into force, introducing a number of amendments to legislation, the most important of which affect regulation of economically significant organizations (hereinafter – “ESO”). Read more about the status of ESO in our updates as of 4 August 2023.

On 8 August 2024, the Arbitration Court of the Moscow Region satisfied the claim of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade against foreign company – Besloten Vennootschap Megapolis Distribution B.V. (distributor of Japan Tobacco, Phillip Morris, Red Bull, Durex and other brands) for suspension of its corporate rights in an economically significant organization (hereinafter – “ESO”) JSC “Megapolis Trade Company”.

On 8 August 2024, federal laws introducing a number of changes to the regulation of Russian LLC and JSC activities were published: Federal Law No. 305-FZ dated 08.08.2024 “On Amendments to Articles 48 and 66 of the Federal Law “On Joint Stock Companies” and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (hereinafter – “Law No. 305”) and Federal Law No. 287-FZ dated 08.08.2024 “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Joint Stock Companies” and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (hereinafter – “Law No. 287”).