News

Crucial judgment on biometric personal data

The recent judgment concerning the use of video to verify that an online service account is being used by a real person may become relevant for many business sectors.

One inspection – one fee? A new turn in customs disputes

In this legal update, we would like to draw your attention to a very important decision of the Arbitrazh Court of the Rostov Region dated 9 April 2026, in case No. A53-16734/25Decision of the Arbitrazh Court of the Rostov Region dated 9 April 2026 in case No. А53-16734/25, which could potentially change the current practice of calculating state duties when challenging decisions of customs authorities.

EU adopts 20th package of sanctions against Russia

On 23 April 2026, legal acts formalising the 20th package of European Union restrictive measures (sanctions) were published.

Gift of commercial immovable property between relatives who are entrepreneurs

In April 2026, the Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of IE Khabieva E.V., in which it clarified whether gifts of commercial real estate between close relatives who are individual entrepreneurs are subject to personal income tax.

Constitutional court ruling on compulsory licences

The Constitutional Court has regulated the application of the “compulsory licensing” mechanism to combat right holders maintaining “unreasonably high” prices for pharmaceuticals, with the caveat that this is a necessary measure to protect consumers from the abuse of intellectual property rights by bad faith persons.

Supreme court’s position on the burden of proof and the use of Internet sources in customs value adjustments

In this legal update, we would like to draw your attention to a new, important ruling of the Judicial Collegium on Economic Disputes of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated 26 February 2026, in case No. A51-4600/2024. This ruling is significant for two key findings.

Distribution of participation interest of former participant among remaining participants is recognised as income for personal income tax purposes

In February 2026, the court adopted a precedent-setting decision in the case of Signal-Invest LLC . Under this decision, for the first time the issue concerning the tax consequences of the gratuitous distribution of participation interest redeemed by the company upon the withdrawal of one participant among the remaining participants was considered.

State Duma adopts amendments to legislation on strategic investments

On 26 February 2026, the State Duma adopted in its third and final reading a federal law (Draft Law No. 1082676-8) amending Law No. 57-FZ and certain other legislative acts, aimed at expanding the grounds for approving transactions concluded by foreign investors with respect to strategic companies and bringing the rules on strategic investments into compliance with the established law enforcement practice.

Misuse of budgetary funds by concessionaires: court vs “flexibility” of PPPs

Public-private partnerships have long been positioned as a mechanism that provides businesses with a certain degree of freedom in implementing infrastructure projects, in contrast to the rigid framework of government contracts. However, judicial practice in 2024-25 demonstrates an inexorable trend: an approach is emerging aimed at preventing the misuse of funds and minimising the risk of damage to public entities.

Review of UK sanctions of 24 February 2026

On 24 February 2026, the United Kingdom announced new blocking sanctions targeting several hundred Russian and foreign entities, as well as ships transporting Russian oil and gas.

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