On 5 April 2024, the results of the annual The CASE by review were announced, featuring 64 cases across nine categories. First place in the “Cross-Border Dispute of the Year” category was awarded to the case “Bank Saint Petersburg v Vitaly Arkhangelsky”, in which EPAM Law advised the Bank at key stages of the dispute.

In this matter, Bank Saint Petersburg secured a victory in the High Court of London against borrower Vitaly Arkhangelsky and the Oslo Marine Group Ports. The proceedings, which began in 2009, spanned four jurisdictions—Russia, Bulgaria, France, and the United Kingdom—and involved more than 20 court cases in Russian courts, as well as the recognition and enforcement of judgments abroad.

The High Court ultimately ruled in favour of the Bank, fully upholding its claim for debt recovery under loan agreements and entirely dismissing Arkhangelsky’s counterclaim. Additionally, all of Mr Arkhangelsky’s allegations against the Bank were rejected by the court.

This case is notable for the number of novel procedural issues it raised and for its extraordinary duration. The main hearings lasted 46 court days and took place between February and July 2016 in both London and Paris. Approximately 20 witnesses and experts from both parties were cross-examined, and an immense volume of evidence was examined. Further details of the case were previously reported by us [link available].

The dispute garnered extensive coverage in both Russian and international media. The respected publication The Lawyer has previously featured the case multiple times among the Top 10 and Top 20 most notable disputes heard in the English courts.

The Bank was represented before the High Court of London by Ivan Smirnov, Managing Partner of EPAM Law’s St Petersburg office, and Counsel Evgeny Gurchenko.