A foreign company in a Russian commercial court

A practical document review for foreign businesses

This service addresses the procedural documents a foreign company may need in a Russian state commercial court, also called an arbitrazh court. It is intended for businesses preparing a claim, responding to proceedings or appointing a Russian representative.

The starting point is the actual case, the company's country of incorporation and the proposed signatory. We review the documents already available and identify what must be obtained or clarified before the relevant filing. This is a document-readiness service; representation and the merits of the dispute can be scoped separately.

Who can act for the company and sign the claim?

Corporate authority and a representative's procedural powers are distinct. A director's authority is assessed under the company's personal law; powers delegated for Russian court proceedings must also meet the relevant Russian procedural requirements.

We check the proposed signatory and the express powers needed for the intended filing, including signing a claim where applicable. A job title or an English template power of attorney should not be treated as sufficient without examining the supporting documents.

Does a power of attorney always need an apostille?

No. The Russian Supreme Court explains that a privately issued foreign-company power of attorney, without foreign official endorsements, generally does not require apostille or consular legalisation. The court may nevertheless seek additional evidence if authenticity or authority is in doubt.

Foreign public documents, notarial endorsements and applicable treaties require a separate check. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature, official capacity and seal; it does not prove the truth of the document's contents. The answer depends on the issuing country and the document itself, rather than a blanket rule for every foreign company.

Legal reference: Russian Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 23 of 27 June 2017 (Russian), in particular paragraphs 20–21 and 39–41. Also see the HCCH Apostille Convention.

Translations and corporate-status documents

Documents in a foreign language submitted to the court need a duly certified Russian translation. The company must also establish its legal status. We identify the appropriate registry or equivalent documents and review the chain from company status to signatory authority and delegated powers.

Check the required document set before ordering translations or certification. The review can identify missing pages, inconsistent names and whether an original, a certified copy or further evidence is needed for the planned filing. Any translation, notarial or foreign-authority charges are agreed separately.

Legal reference: Russian Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 23 of 27 June 2017 (Russian), in particular paragraphs 20–21 and 39–41.

What to send for the readiness review

• The country of incorporation, full legal name and registration number.
• Available registry extracts or equivalent corporate-status documents.
• Documents identifying the person who will sign and the basis of that person's authority.
• The draft or existing power of attorney, including notarial endorsements, apostilles and translations already obtained.
• The contract's dispute-resolution clause and a short description of the dispute.
• The case number, court documents and the nearest deadline, if proceedings have begun.

Begin with the parties' names, the issuing country, your role and any deadline. We will confirm whether we can act and which documents should be supplied for the agreed review.

Your next steps, in writing

The agreed deliverable can include a document checklist, comments on the proposed authority documents and an order of steps for obtaining, translating and certifying them. Drafting or revising a power of attorney is included only if expressly agreed.

We confirm the scope, fee and delivery date after reviewing the task. Consular appointments, foreign registry services, translators and court decisions are outside a guaranteed timetable. If a filing deadline is approaching, state it in the first enquiry.