Since very early days of AstapovLawyers, arbitration has been in the center of our professional interests.

AstapovLawyers was the first law firm in the CIS region which started to represent Clients in arbitration proceedings at GAFTA, London (Grain and Feed Trade Association) and FOSFA, London (Federation of Fats and Oilseeds Associations). Both are related to the areas of export activity that are crucial for Ukraine and CIS region as a whole, namely exports of grains and vegetable oil.

Over the time, representing clients in these arbitration forums remained part of our core activities within the general ambit of the firm’s arbitration practice.

Our Team has developed important skills in quality and condition disputes, default cases, shipping related disputes, demurrage and dispatch disputes, matters related to prohibition of exports and all types of measures equivalent to prohibition etc.

In GAFTA and FOSFA Arbitrations and related soft commodity disputes, we regularly represent trading and producing companies, vessel owners, transshipment facility owners, surveyors and insurers.

We understand that obtaining security for a future Award is crucial in commercial setting where trading companies are often purely trading vehicles with no assets belonging to them, so we have developed techniques of obtaining all types of freezing orders and attachments in relevant jurisdictions to ensure successful enforcement of the Award when rendered. Having thorough experience in all major jurisdictions involved, we know how to use the instruments which are offered by each of them to the utmost benefit of our Clients.

In the commodity arbitration context, we have experience in matters of cross- border insolvency proceedings on both sides of the fence.

With our unique commercial and pragmatic approach combined with broad understanding of law and practice of GAFTA and FOSFA, AstapovLawyers remains a constant legal partner for the commodities world.