Practice Area

Digital, FinTech, IT and IP

Digital, FinTech, IT and IP

Our practice offers high-quality legal advice in digital, information technologies and IP. Our lawyers have extensive experience in advising to Investors, e-Businesses, Start-Ups and Developers on:

  • FinTech;

  • e-Commerce;

  • Information Security and Cybersecurity;

  • Personal Data;

  • IP Rights;

  • Mobile Apps;

  • Tech Equipment;

  • New Technologies.

  • Our clients include major and global IT brands, e-EcoSystems, multinational car-sharing and food delivery services, multinational e-retail companies, pharmaceutical, and telecommunication businesses.

    We closely follow development of digitalization and information technologies, the fastest growing industry sectors around the world. This allows us to be on top of all the novelties and changes in the legal and regulatory environment in Kazakhstan and offer our clients cutting-edge and innovative solutions.

    Our lawyers always stay at the frontline of public initiatives in this field, be it by taking part in a law-making process, speaking at major events, or otherwise.

    Service includes the following directions
    • Legal consulting on digital and IT.
    • Legal opinion on information security and cybersecurity.
    • Legal advice in e-Commerce and e-Ad.
    • Legal implications on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies.
    • Dispute resolution on Digital and IT, Personal Data, Artificial Intelligence, e-Commerce, IP and e-Ad.
    • IP Rights and Technology Transfer.
    • Financial Technologies.
    Signum Law Firm’s team focuses on project and debt financing deals. Liza Zhumakhmetova is noted.
    Legal 500, Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, 2018
    Signum Law Firm handles corporate and M&A matters, and is particularly active in the oil and gas sector. Liza Zhumakhmetova and Abylkhair Nakipov are the key names.
    Legal 500, Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, 2018
    Signum Law Firm is experienced in commercial, employment, tax and administrative disputes. Managing partner Sofiya Zhylkaidarova is a key name for commercial disputes, while Talgat Sariev handles labour and employment issues.
    Legal 500, Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, 2018
    Signum Law Firm focuses on transactional and contentious issues. Practice head Sofiya Zhylkaidarova has expertise in M&A and subsoil-use contracts.
    Legal 500, Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, 2018
    “The firm has strong expertise and practice in subsoil use, including in relation to stabilised subsoil use contracts and production sharing agreements. Among their strengths I would also highlight their dispute resolution and litigation practice in civil and administrative cases. The firm has represented us in many and various disputes and litigations, and always demonstrated diligence and proficiency in the subject matter.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “Good, responsive, excellent English communications both verbal and written. Good understanding of Western practice.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “Excellent work both in analysis and execution. Dedicated and trustable professionals.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “Excellent professionals, with wide local and international experience, high standards, focused on results and performance.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “Strengths: Tailor made approach from assisting lawyer, accuracy to details, client oriented approach.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “All work is done in the time agreed and follows high standards. The staff of SIGNUM are always available to provide the necessary explanations and feedback. Having three years of experience with SIGNUM, I can’t identify any weakness in their services.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “The SIGNUM team are responsive and helpful. SIGNUM is my go-to law firm in Kazakhstan: commercial and efficient while being legally correct. Sofiya Zhylkaidarova, Liza Zhumakhmetova and Gaukhar Kudaibergenova are all especially strong.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “Professional all round corporate law firm covering most aspects of corporate law but with very strong knowledge of oil and gas sector sub soil use law.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    “Professional and client oriented approach at all levels of management.”
    Asialaw Profiles, 2018
    Талгат Сарыев имеет опыт в представлении клиентов в спорах с государственными органами, включая таможенные дела. Он хорошо разбирается в вопросах налогообложения, а также представляет интересы клиентов в коммерческих спорах. Источники ссылаются на его надежный и стратегический подход к решению проблем: «Он выдвигает хорошо сформулированные и обоснованные аргументы».
    Chambers & Partners, Global 2018
    На юридическом рынке София Жылкайдарова известна за «практические советы». В основном она консультирует клиентов по налоговым и регуляторным вопросам в сфере нефти и газа. Коллеги на юридическом рынке считают ее опыт «очень впечатляющим» в этой сфере, говоря: «Она действительно является экспертом, очень хороший специалист».
    Chambers & Partners, Global 2018
    ‘The team works very well and provides customer service at all levels.’
    The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023
    "We faced very non-standard tasks and enjoyed the integrated approach of Signum. We had to change the starting points several times, which was perceived by the team with a full understanding of the importance."
    The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

    Experience

    FinTech
    • Legal and tax advice to a large special vehicles dealer including legal and tax analysis at structuring the Client’s proposed loyalty and motivation program for its employees (including description of contractual matters, currency control matters, tax structuring and assessment of risks).

    • Tax and legal structuring of a local loyalty program operator, as well as drafting public offer and contracts with partners of the loyalty program;

    • Full legal support of a major European food delivery service as part of its expansion to the Kazakhstan market in terms of regulations of e-commerce, mobile apps, web-sites in the territory of Kazakhstan, and data protection;

    • Tax consulting for a Kazakhstan subsidiary of an international provider of short-term loans.

      IP Rights
      • Drafting and reviewing licensing agreements;

      • Preparing legal memorandums on Kazakhstan law requirements with respect to licensing and franchising agreements;

      • Legal analysis of different types of contracts including license agreement, lease agreement, pharmaceutical products distribution agreement, shareholders’ agreement for consistency with Kazakhstan laws for a large pharmaceuticals company.

      Corporate
      • Сonsulting an international company in the field of cloud mining on the establishment of an enterprise for cloud mining in Kazakhstan, with the respective machinery and equipment, and connecting to the enterprise’s power supply networks.

      e-Commerce and Advertisement
      • Full legal support of a major European food delivery service as part of its expansion to the Kazakhstan market in terms of regulations of e-commerce, mobile apps, web-sites in the territory of Kazakhstan, and data protection;

      • Advising a major internet services provider on Kazakhstan law matters in relation to internet advertisement, antimonopoly and tax issues;

      • Preparing legal opinion on regulation of contextual advertising for a multinational IT company;

      • Preparing a memorandum for a multinational Taxi Service company on launch of Internet advertising sales in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

      • Preparing a memorandum on e-commerce regulations in Kazakhstan for a multinational clothing and home products retailer, primarily operating through webstores in Kazakh jurisdiction;

      • Full legal support of a major European food delivery service as part of its expansion to the Kazakhstan market in terms of regulations of e-commerce, mobile apps, web-sites in the territory of Kazakhstan, and data protection;

      • Advising a major internet services provider on Kazakhstan law matters in relation to internet advertisement, antimonopoly and tax issues;

      • Preparing legal opinion on regulation of contextual advertising for a multinational IT company;

      • Preparing a memorandum for a multinational Taxi Service company on launch of Internet advertising sales in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

      • Preparing a memorandum on e-commerce regulations in Kazakhstan for a multinational clothing and home products retailer, primarily operating through webstores in Kazakh jurisdiction;

      • Electronic Commerce and Advertising;

      • Full legal support of a major European food delivery service as part of its expansion to the Kazakhstan market in terms of regulations of e-commerce, mobile apps, web-sites in the territory of Kazakhstan, and data protection;

      • Advising a major internet services provider on Kazakhstan law matters in relation to internet advertisement, antimonopoly and tax issues;

      • Preparing legal opinion on regulation of contextual advertising for a multinational IT company;

      • Preparing a memorandum for a multinational Taxi Service company on launch of Internet advertising sales in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

      • Preparing a memorandum on e-commerce regulations in Kazakhstan for a multinational clothing and home products retailer, primarily operating through webstores in Kazakh jurisdiction;

      • Electronic Commerce and Advertising;

      • Full legal support of a major European food delivery service as part of its expansion to the Kazakhstan market in terms of regulations of e-commerce, mobile apps, web-sites in the territory of Kazakhstan, and data protection;

      • Advising a major internet services provider on Kazakhstan law matters in relation to internet advertisement, antimonopoly and tax issues;

      • Preparing legal opinion on regulation of contextual advertising for a multinational IT company;

      • Preparing a memorandum for a multinational Taxi Service company on launch of Internet advertising sales in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

      • Preparing a memorandum on e-commerce regulations in Kazakhstan for a multinational clothing and home products retailer, primarily operating through webstores in Kazakh jurisdiction.

      Data Protection and Cybersecurity
      • Preparing legal opinion on personal data use for a multinational pharmaceutical company;

      • Preparing legal opinion on personal data protection for a transnational company engaged in authentication, identification and tracking businesses;

      • Developing full set of internal documents on personal data processing and protection for a leasing company – a member of global specialized machinery producing company;

      • Advising international leasing company on personal data processing and protection and development of IT decisions;

      • Preparation of legal opinion on personal data processing by employers;

      • Consulting an international pharmaceutical company on personal data protection;

      • Preparation of legal opinion for a large pharmaceuticals company on legality of maintaining personal data of doctors and pharmacists on the company’s data carriers;

      • Drafting internal data protection documents for an international pharmaceutical company, including Regulation on Personal Data Protection, Regulation on Relationship with Medical and Pharmaceutical Specialists.

      Tax
      • Tax advice relating to the launch of a major information service matching passengers and taxi services providers in Kazakhstan.

      • Legal counselling of cellular operator on application on tax exemption and preferences under investment project conditions;

      • Legal advice for telecom company on taxation of business related to import of software products;

      • Legal advice for telecom company on granting investment benefits and preferences;

      • Consulting the largest provider of Internet services in tax matters;

      • Tax and legal structuring of a local loyalty program operator, as well as drafting public offer and contracts with partners of the loyalty program;

      • Tax lawyers assisted large European telecommunications company on management and minimization of VAT liabilities in Kazakhstan;

      • Corporate lawyers advised large telecommunications company on corporate restructuring in Kazakhstan due to merger of two international telecommunication companies.


      Dispute resolution and Litigation
      • International telecom company and Kazakhstani company dispute – $1.5 million case following failure of Kazakhstani company to make payments under a contract;

      • Dispute between international telecom company and Kazakhstani Customs authorities – administrative case on allegation of improper customs clearance and further confiscation of $1-million equipment.

      Regulatory Compliance and Environment
      • Legal advice to an international company specializing in communications satellite technology, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, on financial restructuring options relating to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filed by the company in the US.

      • Consulting large telecom company on installation of cellular communication in Kazakhstan with focus on compliance with the Kazakhstani construction standards;

      • Drafting regulatory compliance programs for large German telecom company;

      • Legal services to client – producer of telecom equipment;

      • Advice on tendering procedures and compliance with the bidding requirements on use of a radio-frequency spectrum in Kazakhstan;

      • Conducting complex legal audit of satellite operator in connection with the loan agreement from largest bank in Kazakhstan;

      • Advice to telecom operator on Kazakhstani antimonopoly legislation with focus on cellular tariff policies;

      • Legal expertise of the cellular operator’s application for granting of benefits and preferences;

      • Legal assistance for cellular operator on the application for tax exemption and preferences under investment project conditions;

      • Advice in merger of two major telecom companies on Kazakhstani antimonopoly and corporate legislation.

                      Public-Private Partnership
                      • Advising a large international Swiss company on the implementation of new technology for tracking raw materials as part of a public-private partnership, including analysis and preparation of draft amendments to legislation in the field of information technologies.

                      Additional Experience
                      • Participation as a speaker at the Kazakhstan Forum of Corporate Lawyers 2019 on the topic "Digital Technologies and E-Commerce".

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