Dispute resolution in Georgia

BGI Legal

The team at BGI Legal provides ‘detail-oriented and effective’ advice to a primarily international roster of corporate clients across the full scope of their litigation requirements, including as it relates to commercial, IP, real estate, white-collar and employment disputes. Dovetailing with his own compelling transactional practice, team head Zaza Bibilashvili is particularly adept at handling high-profile corporate/commercial disputes. He is also one of many in the team with significant ADR experience, and has himself served as an arbitrator on numerous ICC arbitration cases. Sandro Bibilashvili has argued cases at all levels of the Georgian court hierarchy and is noted for his mediation skills, as is Giorgi Sarajishvili, who is ‘great at negotiating settlements on mediation’. Davit Kakoishvili excels in white-collar and extradition cases, while the ‘very diligent and hardworking’ Lika Topuria has recently handled some high-profile cases for creditors in the airline industry, as well as IP disputes for large food and beverage companies.

 

 

Praxisleiter:

Zaza Bibilashvili


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Sandro Bibilashvili; Giorgi Sarajishvili; Davit Kakoishvili; Ani Khojelani; Lika Topuria


Referenzen

They are detail-oriented and effective.’

‘The team is very organised and highly professional.’

‘Giorgi Sarajishvili is very good at communicating and explaining the risks and peculiarities associated with any given litigation. He is responsive and insightful.’

Kernmandanten

Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia


East-West United Bank & Sistema Holding


Rustavi 2


Carlsberg


Scotch Whisky Association


AgriUni


Mey Alkollu


Skoda Praha a.s.


Wilhelmsen Georgia


Penumbra.Inc


JSC Nenskra Hydro


Corner Banca


Sinohydro


Abbey Asset Management


Discovery Networks


BASF


VEON


British Petroleum (BP) Georgia


Stichting iFund


Apple


Facebook


Vialis Belgium


Ferrero


McDonald’s Georgia


MND Group


Pimeks Georgia


Park Gate


JSC Heritage Securities


International Finance Corporation


Asian Development Bank


Ilia State University


Air Lease Corporation


Spairliners


TBC Bank


Lavazza


Upton Trade & Globe AG


Majorel Georgia, LLC


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented ADB in a precedent-setting case where the Georgian court recognized the immunity of ADB from legal processes in Georgia.
  • Represented one of the largest bottlers of soft drinks in the region in the Georgian Supreme Court in a landmark case on recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award.

BLB (Business Legal Bureau)

Drawing upon an ‘excellent understanding of court and authorities decision practices and logic,’ BLB (Business Legal Bureau) is a popular choice among domestic and international corporates across a wide range of litigation, running the gamut from shareholder disputes through to complex white-collar litigation. The team is noted for its ‘solutions and results-oriented approach’ and recently secured a favourable settlement for Nona Gaprindashvili, a Georgian chess player and five-time world chess champion in a high-profile defamation dispute with Netflix. Kakha Sharabidze and David Khaindrava, co-head the overarching team alongside Maya Mtsariashvili, whose white-collar crime expertise was recently showcased in a major state-racketeering case.

Praxisleiter:

Kakha Sharabidze; Maya Mtsariashvili; David Khaindrava


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ana Rekviashvili; Niko Dateshidze; Mariam Vashakidze; Tengizi Mghebrishvili


Referenzen

‘They display a solutions and results-oriented approach and are capable of managing large scale litigation.’

‘The team includes very professional and knowledgeable lawyers with good interpersonal and business skills.’

‘We admire the hard work and dedication of the team and highly recommend BLB to any third parties.’

Kernmandanten

JSC Poti Sea port Corporation and its operator APM Terminals B.V.


Mærsk A.S./Mærsk Georgia


Frontera Resources Corporation


Gloria LLC


Spectrum


Irbis LLC


Baltic Investment Group


Mahmoud Mohammad Mahmoud Al-Rifai


Dany Moussa


LLC “M.M”


Evgeni Ioffe


Sealink Global


Grapefruit JSC


Shareholders of Tbilaviamsheni JSC


Danedo Management Corp


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised shareholders of JSC Tbilaviamsheni in one of the biggest cases of state racketeering in the history of Georgia.
  • Advised Frontera Resources Corporation in connection with commercial disputes related to its holding companies and criminal charges initiated against its former CEO.
  • Represented five-time world champion chess player Nona Gaprindashvili in her defamation action brought against Netflix regarding a false statement made in the final episode of The Queen’s Gambit.

BLC Law Office LLC

BLC Law Office LLC has an excellent insight into procedural and overarching substantive law matters, ensuring clients receive very robust representation across a range of conventional litigation and ADR matters. Team head Ketti Kvartskhava has broad-ranging litigation experience across all levels of courts, as well as from an arbitration perspective, including as it relates to shareholder and construction disputes. Tamta Ivanishvili is also experienced at handling arbitration matters both on behalf of clients and in her role as an arbitrator in Georgia-seated arbitration proceedings. In addition, she is one of the few litigators in the country with experience in representing clients before the European Court of Human Rights. Recently promoted partner Rusa Tchkuaseli is well-versed in handling conventional litigation as well as arbitration, with a varied caseload that includes investor, state disputes and defamation disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Ketti Kvartskhava


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Giorgi Batlidze; Rusa Tchkuaseli; Davit Tabatadze; Alexander Bolkvadze; Tamta Ivanishvili; Lasha Uplisashvili; Lasha Zurabiani


Kernmandanten

Anaklia Development Consortium


Bob Meijer


Mamuka Khazaradze


Badri Japaridze


JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation/LEPL State Agency of Oil and Gas of Georgia


Anagi LLC


Mtkvari HEPP


Robert Bosch


City Loft/Adjara Group


ZTE Corporation


Glovo App Georgia


Mr. Nika Gilauri


Carrefour Georgia


Tiffany and Company


Heidelberg Georgia


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Anaklia Development Consortium and Bob Meijer in arbitrations pending before the Arbitration Court of International Chamber of Commerce and ICSID, respectively.
  • Acted for Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and the State Agency for Oil and Gas in arbitration proceedings relating to breaches by Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation of its obligations under its 1997 Production Sharing Agreement.
  • Represented Georgian Airlines in its high-profile insolvency case.

Dentons

Regularly instructed by firmwide clients and also on a standalone basis, Dentons maintains a thriving litigation practice, including for clients in the energy, aviation and telecoms, both on domestic mandates, as well as in cross-border disputes. Team head Otar Kipshidze exemplifies the varied nature of the firm’s workflow, being as comfortable handling complex corporate disputes, as he is competition and insolvency litigation. IP work also plays an increasingly prominent role for the team, with the firm regularly acting for clients engaged in trade mark and copyright disputes. Other key practitioners are Zurab Kiliptari and Natela Otaridze.

Praxisleiter:

Otar Kipshidze


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Zurab Kiliptari; Natela Otaridze


Kernmandanten

Batumi Oil Terminal


Trans Optima Group


City Loft


Logic Group


SOCAR Georgia Petroleum


Oceaneering International Services


ArcelorMittal Temirtau


Primera Golf & Residence


RazGal Energy Group


BP


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised SOCAR Georgia Petroleum in a claim against the Competition Agency concerning the imposition of fines for alleged violation of competition law.
  • Advised Trans Optima Group on a multimillion US dollar civil dispute against Georgian Railways.
  • Advised Razgal Energy on legal proceedings regarding a squeeze-out of the shares held by the minority shareholder in Razgal Georgia to a majority shareholder – Razgal Energy.

Gvinadze & Partners LLC

Under the leadership of Nick GvinadzeGvinadze & Partners LLC provides robust representation of clients from a range of industry sectors, including aviation, construction and energy, across the spectrum of commercial, employment, IP and debt recovery. Drawing upon strong relationships with many well-known international law firms, the team is particularly accomplished at handling cross-border matters with a nexus to Georgia. Gvinadze himself is adept at handling conventional litigation as well as arbitration, including on construction and FIDIC-related matters. As part of his broad litigation expertise, which spans construction and land permitting, through to tax disputes, Zakaria Shvelidze regularly advises on labour law matters. Sophie Panjikidze is also recommended.

Praxisleiter:

Nick Gvinadze


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Zakaria Shvelidze; Sophie Panjikidze; Tornike Amilakhvari; Anzor Khatiashvili


Kernmandanten

Tsavkisi Valley Community


Catena Media UK Ltd


European Broadcasting Union


Cushman & Wakefield (Veritas Brown Caucasus LLC)


MTU Maintenance Lease Services


The Amorim Group


Harper Macleod LLP/E&M Manufacturing Ltd.


Highlight-Mandate


  • Collaborated with a major global law firm on legal due diligence and investigation of the Georgian counterparty for and on behalf of a US financial institution in connection with a pending dispute.
  • Worked with a London-based litigation firm in connection with a pending arbitration case on claims arising out of major oil and gas exploration and production operations in Georgia.
  • Represented, together with a Scottish firm, a European client before a major Georgian bank, Georgian Courts and other state authorities concerning the multi-jurisdictional theft of funds from the client’s bank accounts.

MG Law Office

The ‘extremely knowledgeable and responsive’ team at MG Law Office provides ‘very sophisticated advice’ to domestic and international corporates across a myriad of civil and administrative law disputes, including as it relates to tax, labour and real estate matters. George Svanadze is ‘very intellectual and hardworking,’ ensuring that clients are effectively represented in both conventional litigation and arbitration proceedings. He has recently handled numerous matters for banking and finance entities recovering unpaid loans, including through formal insolvency proceedings. Archil Giorgadze, who co-heads the team alongside Svanadze, is ‘vastly experienced and knowledgeable,’ including in relation to litigation involving public sector entities.

 

Praxisleiter:

Archil Giorgadze; George Svanadze


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ana Kochiashvili; Giorgi Kikiani


Referenzen

‘Extremely knowledgeable and responsive team across multiple areas of Georgian law.’

‘The exceptional team provides very sophisticated advice.’

‘Archil Giorgadze is vastly experienced and knowledgeable.’

Kernmandanten

Chempionebi 111 LLC


Heidelberg Cement Georgia LLC


X2 Group


JSC ProCredit Bank


Maqro Tourism LLC


Cross 2 LLC


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented various Georgian entities owned by a foreign investor in relation to the enforcement of a confidential award issued by a Swedish tribunal following an international arbitration process.
  • Represented a foreign bank operating in Georgia in connection with a dispute concerning an unpaid loan for $65m.
  • Advised a government agency in a complex litigation matter relating to a public tender.

GRATA International

Leveraging a diverse mix of professional experiences within the firm, GRATA International is appreciated for its ability to ‘see a legal problem from different angles and solve it,’ ensuring that clients receive an insightful service across a range of civil and administrative disputes. The ‘solutions-oriented and highly professional’ Irakli Kordzakhia heads the team that also includes tax expert Sofia Roinishvili and ‘outstanding’ senior associate Thea Tadashvili, who provides ‘highly practical and insightful advice’, in part due to her previous experience as a judge.

Praxisleiter:

Irakli Kordzakhia


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Sofia Roinishvili; Thea Tadashvili


Referenzen

‘The firm’s lawyers have a unique ability to see a legal problem from different angles and solve it.’ 

‘Irakli Kordzakhia is solutions-oriented and highly professional.’

‘Thea Tadashvili is outstanding and provides responsive, highly practical and insightful advice.’

Kernmandanten

Constanta Foundation


Sai Invest


Georgia Co-investment Fund


GRDC


Georgian Fresh Holding, Netherlands B.V.


Maddox Georgia


Energo Invest, LLC


Omega Motors Group


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Constanta Foundation in a dispute against the state.
  • Represented Sai Invest in a dispute against one of the largest commercial banks of Georgia.
  • Represented a large investor in the energy sector in a tax dispute.

J&T Consulting LLC

Very effective at handling conventional litigation and also well-versed in ADR techniques, including arbitration and mediation, J&T Consulting LLC has good market visibility across a range of commercial, construction and competition disputes. Giorgi Tsertsvadze is a certified mediator, ensuring that he has an excellent perspective of techniques needed to achieve favourable results. Tsertsvade also has a very international outlook to work in the space, and with a fluency across English, German and Russian, is a popular choice to handle cross-border disputes. Otar Machaidze co-heads the team alongside Tsertsvade and excels at handling international and domestic arbitration disputes. Labour law expert Simon Takashvili is recommended.

Praxisleiter:

Giorgi Tsertsvadze; Otar Machaidze


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Simon Takashvili; Ana Papkiaur; Mari Tsitskishvili; Nana Turmanidze; Tatia Turazashvili


Referenzen

‘The team is really exceptional on our market. They have a number of lawyers who are the real professionals of their business and are specialized in different areas of law.’

Kernmandanten

Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios S.A. Branch Georgia


Branch of a foreign enterprise – Tbilisi Metro Line 2


ProCredit Bank Georgia


GLI Global Logistik|Internationale Speditions GmbH


Pineo Medical Ecosystem LLC


Georgian Post LLC


JV Anas International S.P.A. & Gestione Progetti Ingegneria Srl. & IRD Engineering srl.


Bazalt fibers


Techno Boom LLC


Georgian Lottery Company LLC


Geo Fitness


High-tech Solutions LLC


Lithuanian Bakery LLC


Kanti Georgia LLC


Georgian Paper Manufacturing LLC


GCG Development LLC


Retro Constructions LLC


Kanti Ltd


Trade Shift LLC


KPI Georgia


IBRAHIM SAEED AADI


Maia Gilashvili


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Geo Fitness LLC in multimillion-dollar lawsuits involving proceedings against the clients’ former director and other companies and private persons affiliated with him.
  • Secured victory against the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia in an arbitration arising out of a $5m FIDIC contract.
  • Represented Trade Shift LLC in a $3m lawsuit against a foreign investor.

Nodia, Urumashvili & Partners

Drawing upon ‘extensive experience’ across litigation and arbitration, the team at Nodia, Urumashvili & Partners provides ‘a proactive and result-focused approach’, ensuring that clients achieve results across a range of litigation, including shareholder, IP and tax disputes. Insolvency litigation is also a core strength, an area in which managing partner Lasha Nodia has gained particular acclaim. Nodia co-heads the team alongside Maka Todua, who brings an excellent insight into court processes by virtue of her previous judicial roles, including assistant to the Judge at the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court of Georgia, and manager at Tbilisi City Court. The ‘extremely talented’ Giorgi Kekenadze is ‘very proactive, client-oriented and diligent.’

Praxisleiter:

Lasha Nodia; Maka Todua


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Alexander Sukhishvili; Giorgi Kekenadze


Referenzen

‘The team is well-prepared and explain everything in an easy-to-understand manner.’ 

‘The outstanding team displays a proactive and result-focused approach.’

‘They have extensive experience in the dispute resolution arena and deliver high quality results.’ 

Kernmandanten

Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets Georgia (Carrefour Georgia)


JSC Goodwill


JSC Bank of Georgia


JSC Procredit Bank


JSC Isbank


Kolkheti LLC


BN LLC


Solutions hi Worldwide S.L


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented a Georgian non-profit organisation in arbitration proceedings conducted under LCIA rules.
  • Represented a client in a high-profile and televised dispute with its suppliers regarding annulment of certain provisions of supply agreements.
  • Represented a Georgian company in a multimillion-dollar dispute concerning insolvency proceedings.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Georgia LLC

The ‘highly skilled’ team at PricewaterhouseCoopers Georgia LLC continues to gain market visibility off the back of some complex civil and administrative law cases, including as it relates to tax and employment issues. Team head Vano Gogelia is at the forefront of the highest-profile cases including his work as co-counsel for the Azerbaijani investor in a major investment arbitration proceeding, as well as in a major constitutional law case brought against the Georgian Parliament by the gambling industry challenging certain age and taxation-related gambling regulations. Natia Kobosnidze is also a key member of the team, particularly in the context of investment disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Vano Gogelia


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Teona Zhizhiashvili; Natia Kobosnidze; Nino Usharauli; Tamar Kankava


Referenzen

‘It is a highly skilled team.

‘Vano Gogelia is a best-of-the-best lawyer.’

Kernmandanten

Nasib Hasanov


Aviator LLC (Adjarabet)


Leader-bet Slot


Weco Investment and Finance


Formula LLC


JSC Polat Yol Yapi Sanayi Ve Ticaret Branch in Georgia


Betlive LLC


Pharmax LLC


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Mr. Nasib Hasanov as the co-counsel in a major investment arbitration proceeding based on Bilateral Investment Treaty between Georgia and Azerbaijan, against Georgia in the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
  • Represented Weco Investment and Finance S.A. in a major telecoms dispute in Georgia.

Archil Mchedlidze’s Law Practice LLC

Displaying an ‘unwavering commitment to professionalism and teamwork,’ Archil Mchedlidze’s Law Practice LLC provides ‘well-rounded advice’ to private individuals and corporations across a range of commercial litigation. Co-heads Archil Mchedlidze and Valeri Bendianishvili are ‘very attentive, responsive and efficient’ and both have experience at all court levels including the Appeal Court and Supreme Court.

Praxisleiter:

Archil Mchedlidze; Valeri Bendianishvili


Referenzen

‘What makes Archil Mchedlidze’s law practice unique is the team’s unwavering commitment to professionalism and teamwork. Each attorney brings specialized knowledge and skills, allowing them to tackle complex issues from multiple angles, delivering well-rounded advice to the clients.’

‘Both Archil Mchedlidze and Valeri Bendianishvili are very experienced individuals and are very attentive, responsive and efficient in the service they provide. Both are multilingual and are very practical people. They are pro active and their communication is both clear and precise.’

‘Archil Mchedlidze stands out for his multifaceted skill set. Besides being a brilliant attorney with an acute understanding of legal nuances, he excels in managing the team with a perfect blend of guidance and autonomy, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.’

EY Law

The ‘experienced, reliable and flexible’ team at EY Law handles litigation and arbitration cases on both local and international levels with workflow cutting across a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes. Leveraging the firm’s broader tax credentials, tax litigation is a particular area of strength, with New York and Georgia-qualified team head Tato Chantladze particularly accomplished in the space. Elene Sulkhanishvili is also recommended.

Praxisleiter:

Tato Chantladze


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Elene Sulkhanishvili; Mako Maisuradze; Ekaterine Kiknadze; Tinatin Kachakhidze


Referenzen

‘The team is experienced, reliable and flexible.’

Kernmandanten

Actavis International


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Actavis International Limited in a dispute brought against a local retailer for failing to make payments for their pharmaceutical products.

MKD Law

Acting on its own, as well as in the role of local counsel to international law firms, MKD Law has excellent market traction across a wide range of commercial litigation, running the gamut from insolvency litigation through to shareholder disputes. As part of his broad litigation offering, as well as regularly representing clients in domestic civil and criminal litigation, Archil Kbilashvili has experience of handling cases heard before the European Court of Human Rights and as a local counsel in a number of disputes heard by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. Victor Kipiani and David Dzidziguri co-head the team alongside Kbilashvili.

Praxisleiter:

Victor Kipiani; David Dzidziguri; Archil Kbilashvili


Weitere Kernanwälte:

David Metskhovrishvili; Natalia Babakishvili; Sandro Samadbegishvili; Mariam Karseladze


Kernmandanten

Export Development Canada


TAV-Urban Georgia (Tbilisi international airport)


Asseco Georgia


GFS LLC


KDV Georgia LLC


Former Shareholders of AvtoGaz JSC


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Export Development Canada in civil litigation in Georgia.
  • Represented TAV-Urban Georgia as the largest creditor of the Georgian airline Airzena in its insolvency process.
     
     
  • Represented the interests of GFS LLC in a dispute concerning the ownership title over the shares of the other company and the breach of payment obligations by the former partners.

VBAT

VBAT is ‘respected by opposing parties and judges,’ and provides a ‘high-quality service’ to domestic and international corporates engaged in a wide range of civil and administrative litigation, including as it relates to public procurement challenges. The ‘exceptional’ Davit Kikaleishvili, who co-heads the team alongside Davit Kvachantiradze, has ‘excellent analytical skills’, a trait which he utilises to good effect in both conventional litigation and arbitration. Tinatin Tskhvediani is ‘very client-oriented, responsive, supportive and helpful,’ including to clients seeking recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in Georgia.

Praxisleiter:

Davit Kikaleishvili; Davit Kvachantiradze


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Giorgi Melikishvili; Tinatin Tskhvediani; Nana Amisulashvili; Natia Gogadze


Referenzen

‘The firm has consistently displayed extensive knowledge, exemplary skills, expertise, dedication and the ability to effectively deal with complex cases.’ 

‘The very approachable and client friendly team provides a high-quality service.’ 

‘The professional and experienced team is very diligent and is respected by opposing parties and judges.’

Kernmandanten

Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Riverview


Radisson Red Tbilisi


E-Tickets LLC


Blauenstein Georgia LLC


Nobel Ilaç Sanayii ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi


Toyota Center Tbilisi LLC


BD Property LLC (Tbilisi Gardens)


Advanced Medical Technologies and Services (AMTS) LLC


CBD Development LLC (East Point Shopping Mall)


Leasing Expert LLC


Winery LLC


NS Studio LLC


Consulente Enologica SRL


Fashion House Materia LLC


Dots LLC


Sansonit LLC


Novator LLC


Mtsvane Dighomi LLC


Ezo LLC


Build Territory LLC


EG Holding LLC


Metropol Holding


Glam LLC


GTR LLC


Leader Invest LLC


Constant branch of Co LTD China Railway 23rd Bureau Group


Wurth Georgia LLC


Zakaria Paliashvili Tbilisi Central Musical School “Nitchierta Attsledi”


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for E-Tickets LLC as a claimant before the Georgian National Competition Agency and administrative courts in a precedent-setting competition law case regarding the alleged abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive agreements.
  • Acted for CBD Development LLC (East Point Shopping Mall) before the courts of Georgia in complex judicial disputes involving clarification on various aspects of Georgian contractual law.
  • Represented Constant branch of Co LTD China Railway 23rd Bureau Group in a series of disputes related to transportation infrastructure construction services.