Practice Area
Regulatory Compliance and Environment
Operating a business in Kazakhstan requires compliance with a broad range of regulatory requirements – from licences and permits to environmental, immigration, land and other mandatory procedures. For international companies, the practical application of these rules and engagement with government authorities can add an additional layer of complexity.
SIGNUM’s Regulatory Compliance and Environment practice helps international and Kazakhstan companies navigate the regulatory environment and ensure that their operations comply with applicable law. We advise clients on the launch of new projects and business activities, obtaining regulatory approvals and permits, completing administrative procedures and addressing compliance matters arising in the course of day-to-day operations.
Our team has substantial experience advising companies across the energy, oil and gas, mining, industrial, construction, transport and other sectors. We go beyond identifying formal legal requirements – our focus is on developing practical and workable solutions that enable clients to operate effectively while managing regulatory risk.
- Regulatory Compliance – conducting comprehensive reviews of business activities for compliance with applicable law, identifying regulatory risks and developing recommendations to address them.
- Environmental Law – advising on environmental requirements, permits, emissions, waste management, environmental payments and other environmental law matters.
- Permitting Requirements – analysing regulatory requirements applicable to particular activities and identifying the licences, permits, approvals, notifications and other procedures required.
- Licences and Permits – assisting with obtaining, amending, renewing and terminating licences and other regulatory approvals.
- Equipment Certification and Personnel Attestation – advising on mandatory requirements applicable to equipment, products and personnel qualifications, including certification and attestation procedures.
- Immigration and Visas – supporting foreign employees and specialists on entry, stay, registration and visa matters in Kazakhstan.
- Foreign Workforce – advising employers on the engagement of foreign personnel and obtaining the required work permits.
- Procurement of Goods, Works and Services – advising on regulatory requirements applicable to procurement procedures and participation in tenders and procurement processes.
- Land Matters – advising on the acquisition and use of land, changes in designated use, easements and other matters under Kazakhstan land law.
- Government Relations and Regulatory Procedures – supporting clients in obtaining approvals and permits, responding to inspections and navigating other administrative procedures.
Experience
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).
Legal advice on the development of the historic first in Kazakhstan renewable energy project aimed at developing the regulatory framework, improving the auction (tender) process and enabling competitively tendered renewables projects in Kazakhstan.
Full legal and market analysis support to develop a feasible legal structure of setting up an unprecedented PPP Projects and Investment management platform under the AIFC, which will offer a highly effective investor package of legal, financial and dispute resolution solutions when investing into Kazakhstani PPP Projects.
Legal advice to a major Kazakhstan subsidiary of a global marine services group engaged in offshore fleet services in Kazakhstan related to structuring of complex and simultaneous multi-party transactions on acquisition of a marine asset, including regulatory compliance, shareholder approval, acquisition financing, proposing restructuring options and other critical transactional matters.
Legal advice on regulatory approvals and state waiver matters to Norwegian E&P company regarding acquisition of oil and gas project in Western Kazakhstan;
Legal advice for large European construction company in dispute with environment agency, resulting in essential decrease of penalties and impositions;
Monitoring regulatory compliance of various oil and gas companies by obtaining all permits, licenses and approvals for petroleum operations required by Kazakhstan law. Role includes assisting in drafting and approval of the project documentation (exploration projects, trial production projects, development programs, technological schemes, reserve approval etc.);
Consulting with major oil and gas company on issues regarding drafting its tender documentation on the perspective exploration blocks being announced for tender by the state;
Legal advice for Kazakhstani-French joint venture producing uranium in South Kazakhstan Region on different issues concerning incorporation and regulatory compliance;
Legal consulting with large mining company on licensing of usage of drug substances, psychotropic substances and precursors;
Consulting large telecommunication company on installation of cellular communication in Kazakhstan with focus on conformity to Kazakhstani construction standards;
Review of existing practices of a major mining company concerning business’ compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and advising required corrective measures;
Legal advice for large off-shore subcontractor on Kazakhstani maritime laws and use of the vessels; drafting and developing the drafts of bareboat-charter agreements, assistance in registering the vessels in Aktau seaport;
Legal advice on structuring and implementation of real estate transaction for large construction company;
Incorporation and setting up of business for marine transportation company;
Representing a major Italian oil-servicing company in incorporation of the joint venture and subsidiary in Kazakhstan, assistance in discussions/negotiations with the local partners; drafting partnership documents;
Legal advice for large European company on structuring business in Kazakhstan with focus on regulatory compliance;
Legal services to large construction company in litigation with subcontractor on scope of works and estimated costs;
Legal services for drafting rules and regulations in accordance with Kazakhstani laws on procurement of goods and services for a number of subsurface-use companies;
Legal advice on regulatory compliance (state’s pre-emptive right, antimonopoly consent etc.) required for IPO of international E&P company at KASE;
Legal advice on regulatory approvals required by the Kazakhstani authorities for merger & acquisition transaction resulting in 100% share sale of public E&P company (approximately USD 515 million);
Legal advice for the client on issues concerning the obtaining of permissions from the competent body, the state’s waiver and the consent of the antimonopoly body on the sale of the participation interest in the production sharing agreement on oil extraction in West Kazakhstan oilfield.
Litigation: Kazakhstan environmental lawyers representing interests of a consortium of European oil and gas companies in court case with favourable result against illegal actions of Kazakhstan authorities in respect of reimbursement for the damage caused by gas flaring;
Legal advice for US catering company on case related to mass poisoning of employees in oil-field camp;
Litigation: successful representation of interests of European oil and gas company by environmental lawyers of Kazakhstan in court case against Environment Department on suspension of oil-field camp;
Legal advice for European oil gas company, focusing on environmental aspects of construction of pipeline in offshore zone;
Legal assistance in obtaining natural use and water use permissions for clients in different sectors;
Litigation of European oil and gas company against state authorities in damage reimbursement case on oil spills and well accident;
Legal advice provided by Kazakhstan environmental lawyers for European oil and gas company on insurance of environmental responsibility;
Legal advice and representation of interests of UK oil and gas company in administrative court case concerning regulation of ecological expertise in trial production project;
Legal assistance in obtaining import regulatory approvals for chemicals, precursors and radioactive substances use;
Dispute between PSA operator and regional environment protection department – claim to PSA operator on reimbursement for environmental damage (KZT 3.9 billion) caused by illegal production of common mineral deposits.
Legal advice to an oil company – Target company - in relation to the acquisition of the Kazakh assets.
Legal advice to a leading Danish distributor of medical equipment on the cross-border acquisition of the Kazakhstan Target Pharm Trade by the Danish Acquirer.
Legal advice to a major Kazakhstan subsidiary of a global marine services group engaged in offshore fleet services in Kazakhstan related to structuring of complex and simultaneous multi-party transactions on acquisition of a marine asset, including regulatory compliance, shareholder approval, acquisition financing, proposing restructuring options and other critical transactional matters.
Conducting due diligence on regulatory compliance issues and further legal advice on corrective measures for large oil and gas company;
Legal advice for major European oil company on permits, approvals and regulatory procedures established for building of oil pipeline in Kazakhstan;
Legal advice on regulatory compliance matters during due diligence of international E&P company prior to 100% sale;
Legal advice for major mining company on compliance with all rules, regulations and laws of Kazakhstan;
Due diligence and legal advice on labour and regulatory compliance issues for large off-shore subcontractor;
Legal advice and guidance for foreign oil and gas company on applicable Kazakhstani regulatory requirements for setting up business, operational or exit strategies and preparation of due diligence report.
Legal advice for large European oil company working in Kazakhstan for obtaining operational license on the installation and repair of drilling, oil and gas exploration equipment. Also assisted in the process of expanding the types of activity under the existing license on the performance of technological operations at fields and drilling operations;
Legal advice for European oil and gas company on regulatory issues related to gas flaring;
Legal advice for large mining company on licensing of activities related to use of drug substances, psychotropic substances and precursors;
Legal advice on obtaining medical license for large European construction company in accordance with current requirements of Kazakhstani legislation;
Legal advice for offshore contractor on all permissive documentation for construction of artificial island and camp on the Caspian Sea;
Legal advice on obtaining variety of licenses for large European company for construction of pipeline from a field to CPF and further;
Drafting contract on design and delivery of equipment and materials and construction “on a turn-key basis” according to FIDIC standards;
Legal advice on obtaining license for international oil-and-gas-servicing company for radioactive use;
Obtaining firefighting license for large international-service company working on off-shore Caspian oilfields;
Obtaining oil production license for large European oil and gas company;
Obtaining license for chemical use for UK company working on Karachaganak;
Legal advice for client on issues associated with obtaining permissions from the competent body, state’s waiver and the consent of the antimonopoly body on sale of participation interest in the production sharing agreement for oil extraction in West Kazakhstan oilfield.
Legal advice on and assistance in preparation of all required documentation for certification of equipment for oil production for European oil and gas company;
Legal services for certification of production for Kazakhstani paper processing company;
Legal services for certification of mining equipment of large mining company in accordance with legislation of Kazakhstan;
Legal advice for Kazakhstani-French joint venture producing uranium in South Kazakhstan Region on different issues concerning certification of technical equipment;
Obtaining different approvals for project documentation and necessary programs for large construction company;
Legal advice on reviewing standard service contracts including equipment and personnel secondment in compliance with the local rules and regulations;
Drafting for major German telecommunication company’s regulatory compliance programs and review of existing personnel attestation practice.
Providing immigration advice and services in connection with obtaining work permits, TRN for a number of companies with foreign specialists;
Obtaining residence permits for employees of one large construction company;
Providing immigration advice and legal services to one large European company, particularly preparing memo on migration issues and obtaining business visas and invitations to the territory of RK.
Our immigration lawyers are permanently engaged in monitoring and obtaining work permits for foreign specialists of a number of companies in Kazakhstan;
Legal advice for major construction company on preparing documents for obtaining Kazakhstan work permits;
Legal advice for oil and gas company on the process of counter-secondment of foreign specialists to the territory of Kazakhstan;
Preparation of the secondment agreement for a large global service company in accordance with requirements of the legislation of Kazakhstan;
Preparation of memorandum on risk estimation concerning existing secondment structures in mining company;
Legal advice for a large uranium producer on regulation of secondments to the territory of Kazakhstan;
Legal advice for a large uranium producer on taxation and payment of benefits to seconded employees.
Legal assistance on procurement of goods and services in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for a large oil and gas company;
Legal advice for mining holding company on procurement requirements (organization and managing tenders, developing internal corporate documents, procurement rules, tender committee regulations etc.);
Legal advice on litigation related to Kazakhstani public tenders and breaches of public procurement law;
Contacting authorities on preparing and implementing public tenders and implementing detailed procurement structures;
Drafting procurement compliance program for large European service company;
Legal advice for a number of companies on clarification of the legislation requirements during procurement and reviewing of the corporate rules to adapt them to the requirements of legislation.
Representing the client in negotiations with Almaty state authorities on illegal expropriation of land for state needs;
Legal advice for the client – oil company – at acquisition of the land plots for operational base in Aktobe Region, management of whole process from advice on transaction documents to filing the applications for permissive documents required by Kazakhstan legislation;
Legal advice for the client – oil producing company – with regard to registration of servitude for farm in Mangystau Region for pipeline construction, including representation to state authorities and in courts;
Representing the client – uranium-mining company – on challenging South Kazakhstan Region’s Akimat on the withdrawal of the decision on land rent assignment to the client;
Representing the client – uranium-mining company – in court case on claim of forestry authorities concerning damage compensation for destruction of fertile soil layer in connection with illegal forest land use. As a result of our advice, the claim of forestry authorities was rejected;
Representing the client – European oil and gas company – in court case on claim of the state authorities on damage compensation for soil destruction as a consequence of oil spills and well accident. As a result of our proposed strategy, the client was exempted from liability;
Legal advice for the client – uranium-mining company in South Kazakhstan Region – on legal proceedings required for change of land category, its designation as well as land reservation and servitude execution;
Litigation: representing the client – major European construction company – in dispute with land authorities. As a result of successful legal advice, the fine and interest levied on the company were significantly decreased;
Representing the client – construction materials producer – in the process of registration of land rights for dead-end track in Almaty Region;
Representing the clients – several subsurface users – in land relinquishment procedures, including representation to state authorities on issues of land re-cultivation and other matters deriving from such relinquishment;
Health check review of the clients’ activities (in Kazakhstan) concerning regulatory compliance (including review of all permissions, licenses and regulatory approvals required for petroleum operations), assistance in drafting and approval of the design documentation (exploration plan, trial production projects, production programs, technological schemes, reserve approvals etc.);
Representing the client during the closing of a business, including assistance in property allocation.
