The Russian financial services sector remains a key target of U.S., UK, and EU sanctions. As discussed below, a number of recent such sanctions against Russia and countermeasures by the Russian government have further complicated efforts for investors seeking to divest listed securities from Russia.Continue Reading Sanctions on Russian Securities Infrastructure Create Additional Hurdles to Divesting from Russia
United Kingdom
U.S., UK, and EU Sanctions Alignment: U.S. IT and Software Sector Service Bans and Export Controls Take Effect as Russia Sanctions Continue to Expand
On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) June 12, 2024 determination entitled “Prohibition on Certain Information Technology and Software Services” entered into effect. The determination prohibits the direct or indirect provision to Russia from the United States or by U.S. persons of (1) information technology (“IT”) consultancy and design services and (2) IT support services and cloud-based services for enterprise management software and design and manufacturing software (collectively, the “IT Services Prohibition”). On September 16, 2024, similarly focused export controls took effect, prohibiting the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) to Russia and Belarus of certain EAR99 software relating to enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other commercial functions, which were issued earlier by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) on June 12, 2024.Continue Reading U.S., UK, and EU Sanctions Alignment: U.S. IT and Software Sector Service Bans and Export Controls Take Effect as Russia Sanctions Continue to Expand
UK National Security Regime: Annual Report 2024 and Observations on Recent Practice
By Nicholas Levy, Jackie Holland, Tihir Sarkar, Nick Rumsby, Ian Shawyer, Michael Preston, Gabriele Antonazzo, Nallini Puri, Michael James, Paul Gilbert, Henry Mostyn, Dan Tierney, Paul Stuart, Ricardo Zimbron, John Messent & Aleksandra Katolik on
Posted in Enforcement, United Kingdom
On 10 September 2024, the UK Government published its third Annual Report (the “Report”) on the enforcement of the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (the “NSI Act”), covering the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.Continue Reading UK National Security Regime: Annual Report 2024 and Observations on Recent Practice
Sanctions, Certainty and Pragmatism – the Contemporary Context for Analysing Force Majeure clauses
Following a long and somewhat sleepy existence on the margins of contractual interpretation case law, force majeure clauses (“FMCs”) found themselves subject to a rude awakening with the global onset of COVID in 2020, and consequent interruptions to all manner of contracts relating to global supply chains, major sporting events, and many other facets of business. The judicial analysis of how and when FMCs are engaged in international commerce has continued post-COVID, with the introduction of wide-ranging Sanctions against Russia.Continue Reading Sanctions, Certainty and Pragmatism – the Contemporary Context for Analysing Force Majeure clauses
UK Government Publishes Updated Guidance on the Application of the National Security and Investment Act
By Nicholas Levy, Jackie Holland, Tihir Sarkar, Nick Rumsby, Ian Shawyer, Michael Preston, Gabriele Antonazzo, Nallini Puri, Michael James, Dan Tierney, Paul Gilbert, Henry Mostyn, Paul Stuart, John Messent, Kseniia Simongauz & Matthew Day on
On 21 May 2024, the UK Government published updated guidance on the application of the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA). This includes:Continue Reading UK Government Publishes Updated Guidance on the Application of the National Security and Investment Act
US And UK Tighten Restrictions on Trade and Use of Russian Metals
On April 12, 2024 the United States, in coordination with the United Kingdom, issued new prohibitions with respect to Russian aluminium, copper and nickel.Continue Reading US And UK Tighten Restrictions on Trade and Use of Russian Metals
Mixed-Interventionist Approach to Cross-Jurisdictional Issues arising from Sanctions
By Cleary Gottlieb on
The English court took a mixed approach to judicial intervention in a number of cross-jurisdictional cases last year, although some further (welcome) clarity has recently been provided by the Court of Appeal. Perhaps the most salient and recent example of this has been the Court’s perceived willingness to grant Anti-Suit Injunctions (“ASIs”) to restrain foreign proceedings brought in breach of a foreign-seated arbitration clause. These recent cases have largely arisen following Russia’s 2020 amendment to Article 248 of the Arbitrazh (Commercial) Procedure Code (“2020 Amendment”), which itself was a direct policy response to Western sanctions against Russian companies and individuals following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Continue Reading Mixed-Interventionist Approach to Cross-Jurisdictional Issues arising from Sanctions
The Control Test in the UK’s Sanctions Framework: Recent Developments
Posted in Sanctions, United Kingdom
A key feature of the UK’s financial sanctions framework is that not only designated persons (listed on the UK’s Consolidated List) are subject to sanctions, but also entities that are ‘owned or controlled’ by designated persons, even if not themselves listed.Continue Reading The Control Test in the UK’s Sanctions Framework: Recent Developments
UK Government Considers Changes to National Security and Investment Regime
By John Messent & Chloe Hassard on
On 13 November 2023, the UK Government opened a consultation on proposed changes to the National Security and Investment (NSI) regime, less than two years after the regime came into force.
Oliver Dowden MP, the Deputy Prime Minister and formal decision-maker under the regime in his role as Cabinet Secretary, describes the consultation…
Court of Appeal Gives Judgment on Effect of Russia Sanctions on Pending Litigation
In June 2019, PJSC National Bank Trust (the “First Claimant”) and PJSC Bank Otkritie Financial Corporation (the “Second Claimant”) commenced litigation in the English High Court, claiming substantial damages on basis of alleged conspiracies resulting in uncommercial transactions whereby loans were replaced with worthless or near worthless bonds.
Following the designation…