Nikita Ivkin Litigation lawyer specializing in arbitration and corporate disputes in Moscow

ICAC at the RF CCI case

Category: Arbitration

Client: Samara Metallurgical Plant JSC

Problem: Foreign counterparties failed to perform their obligations under supply contracts.

Solution: I prepared the pre-trial claims and statements of claim and handled the proceedings before the ICAC at the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry pursuant to the arbitration clauses. In each case the arbitral tribunal ruled in my client's favour. The total amount of claims awarded was approximately nine million euros.

Result: Won

Case No. A40-63048/2025

Category: Arbitration

Client: Turkish company "Daytona Denim Tekstil Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi"

Problem: A Russian buyer did not pay for the delivered goods, claiming that the seller owed it a debt arising from a delivery of defective goods.

Solution: I prepared the statement of claim and several submissions in the arbitration, successfully rebutted the buyer's argument that it could bring a counterclaim within the same proceedings, defended the position at the oral hearing, and obtained a writ of execution for the ICAC award even though my client is a foreign company.

Result: Won

Case number: No. A40-63048/2025

Corporate dispute

Category: Corporate law

Client: Metallurgical company

Problem: Setting up a joint venture with a public company.

Solution: I represented the client in negotiations, drafted the charter and shareholders' agreement balancing the parties' interests, and prepared a memorandum on financing the joint venture. The project was complicated by the fact that the parties' shareholdings were unequal while an equal scope of corporate rights still had to be ensured.

Result: Won

Case before the ICAC at the RF CCI

Category: International arbitration

Client: Turkish company "Daytona Denim Tekstil Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi"

Problem: A Russian buyer brought claims for damages in connection with a delivery of allegedly "defective goods".

Solution: I handled the case before the ICAC at the RF CCI on a turnkey basis and persuaded the arbitral tribunal that the buyer had failed to prove the goods did not meet the quality requirements. In particular, the buyer had unreasonably quickly accepted third parties' claims and resold the goods at a discount — a business decision whose negative financial outcome cannot be shifted onto the seller. I also proved that the buyer could have mitigated its losses by returning the goods to the seller without any risk of customs seizure, contrary to the buyer's assertions. As a result, the arbitrators dismissed all of the buyer's claims.

Result: Won

Retainer support

Category: Corporate law

Client: KiwiTaxi, an international online transfer-booking service

Problem: Drafting and reviewing contracts with counterparties, pre-trial claim work, protection of intellectual property rights, and handling of personal data.

Solution: For over three years I have been advising this client on these matters on a retainer basis. On an ongoing basis I take part in negotiating contracts, represent the company at the pre-trial stage, and draft a variety of policies.

Result: Ongoing

Employment dispute

Category: Employment law

Client: Russian company (NDA)

Problem: After the termination of the employment contract, an employee brought claims for vacation pay and interest covering five years of employment.

Solution: I handled the case through the courts of general jurisdiction at first instance, on appeal, and in cassation. In the course of the proceedings I proved that the former employee's claims were unfounded and obtained a favourable forensic accounting expert report as well as decisions from other state labour-rights authorities.

Result: Won