The seminar featured a distinguished panel of speakers, comprising Dr Alena Ledeneva (reader in Russian Politics and Society, at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, UCL), Khristofor Ivanyan (Ivanyan & Partners, Moscow), Fraser Cameron (Director of the EU-Russia Centre) and Rupert D’Cruz (Secretary of the British- Russian Law Association and Bar Council International Committee representative for Russia). The lecture focused on the rule of law in Russia from the perspective of foreign investors, which is of great interest to the worlds of law and business alike. The discussion focused on practical issues that foreign investors in Russia face and how these are being met, and how Russia hopes to develop in the future to meet the needs of those wishing to invest in the country. This event followed a successful seminar held in Moscow in July this year by the Bar Council for Russian lawyers at the British Embassy, which focussed on British/Russian dispute resolution issues of interest to commercial practitioners. These events demonstrate the Bar Council’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the legal profession in Russia in respect of both commercial links and issues of good governance and professional standards.

Rupert D’Cruz, the Bar Council International Committee representative for Russia, said:

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to receive the views of someone as well informed as Deputy Minster Liubimov on this important issue. I am looking forward to an enjoyable and stimulating discussion about an issue which is of real importance at a time of global economic strain.”

The seminar was jointly organised by the International Committee of the Bar Council, the British Russian Law Association and the EU Russia Centre.