Our history

The BRLA was established in 1992 as the successor to the British-Soviet Law Association following the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Our first years coincided with profound changes in the Russian legal system. To reflect this our original remit involved assisting the development of the legal profession in Russia through mutual exchanges and training programmes, providing advice and assistance in connection with the administration of justice in the Russian Federation and the drafting of legislation and organising high level meetings and round table discussions on developing legal issues.

In the 1990’s the BRLA organised a number of seminars in Russia funded by the British government involving leading judges, lawyers and academics from the UK and Russia on a range of subjects including: inward investment, judicial review, judicial training, children’s rights and prisoners’ rights.

We also acted as hosts to delegations of Russian judges and lawyers visiting the UK.

Our objectives

Since then the work and aims of the association have evolved to reflect the changes that have taken place in Russia in recent years and the growth of the Russian legal and commercial market.

The BRLA’s objectives are now:

* to strengthen links between the legal professions in the UK and the Russian Federation; and

* to provide a networking forum for lawyers, businessmen and anyone with an interest in developing Russo-British contacts and business.

We seek to do this by organising seminars on topical issues of Russian law, commerce and politics as well as hosting social events designed to facilitate networking opportunities.

Recent examples include seminars on:

• How Russia Really Works,
• Lobbying In Russia as an alternative to Litigation,
• Listing of Russian and CIS Companies on the LSE and AIM,
• Business and the Rule of Law under President Medvedev,
• The RF Law on Foriegn Investment in Strategic Industries,
• Extradition between the UK and Russia,
• The Investment Climate in Russia for UK Businesses, 
• Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in Russia and the UK, ,
• Art Law (buying, selling and exhibiting art in Russia and the UK),
• The Rule of Law in Russia from the Perspective of Foreign Investors,
• Libel Law: Why Russian Claimants Choose English Courts
• Cross-Border Co-operation between Russia and England & Wales: interim remedies and the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards,
• Matrimonial Law in England & Wales and Russia: jurisdiction, ancillary relief, child custody and cross-border enforcement)
• Bribery and Corruption: Legal Mechanisms for Fighting Corruption in the Russian Federation
• Regulation of the Legal Profession in Russia: Proposals for Change.

                         All of these events were followed by a drinks reception.

Further details of our recent events can be found on the events page.

The BRLA also acts as a point of contact and reference for anyone seeking the services of lawyers with experience of and expertise in the Russian market. In this we are assisted by the fact that our membership includes highly skilled experts in almost every area of law.

Our management

The affairs of the BRLA are managed by an executive body under the supervision of a Committee.

The BRLA’s executive officers for 2011 are:

Our members

The BRLA’s individual members include solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, accountants, bankers, corporate service providers and businessmen and women.

Our corporate members include a number of commercial firms with active Russian and CIS practices and a range of businesses catering for Russian companies and businessmen based in the UK and UK businesses with a presence in (or trade with) Russia. Corporate members of the BRLA include:

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: www.akingump.com/
Astapov & Partners: http://www.astapovlawyers.com/
Baker & McKenzie: www.bakernet.com/BakerNet/default.htm

Berwin Leighton Paisner: www.blplaw.com/

Blake Lapthorn: www.bllaw.co.uk

Blokh solicitors
Bristows: http://www.bristows.com/
Brodies: http://www.brodies.com/
Clifford Chance: http://www.cliffordchance.com/home.html

Clyde & Co: www.clydeco.com
CMS Cameron McKenna: http://www.cms-cmck.com

Corker BInning: http://www.corkerbinning.com/
Debevoise & Plimpton: http://www.debevoise.com/

Dewey & LeBoeuf: http://www.deweyleboeuf.com/
Dialog Prava: http://www.dialogprava.ru

DLA Piper: http://www.dlapiper.com/

Egorov, Puginsky, Afanasiev & Partners: http://www.epam.ru/
FTI Consulting: http://www.fticonsulting.com/

Fountain Court Chambers: http://www.fountaincourt.co.uk/

Gherson & Co: www.gherson.com
HCLS LLP: http://www.hamblelaw.com/
Jordans Ltd: http://www.jordans.co.uk/

Lewis Silkin: www.lewissilkin.com/

Littleton Chambers: http://www.littletonchambers.com/

MacDougal Arts Ltd: http://www.macdougallauction.com/
MGAP Attorneys at Law: http://www.mgap.co.uk/
Norton Rose: http://www.nortonrose.com/

Orrick Herrington & Suttcliffe: http://www.orrick.com/

Osborne Clarke: www.osborneclarke.com/

Salans: http://www.salans.com/
Simmons & Simmons: http://www.simmons-simmons.com
SNR Denton: http://www.snrdenton.com/

Stephenson Harwood: http://www.shlegal.com/home

Withers: www.withersworldwide.com/

Wragge & Co: http://www.wragge.com/

Ziadies: http://www.ziadies.f2s.com/Ziadies/
 

Further details of how to join can be found on the membership page.

Further information about the BRLA can be obtained from our Hon. Secretary, Rupert D’Cruz., at the following e-mail address: rdc@littletonchambers.co.uk