What is an attorney (advokat), and how do they differ from a lawyer?

An attorney is a lawyer who has passed the bar examination and holds a special status with special rights and duties: attorney–client privilege, the warrant of attorney, formal attorney enquiries — and the exclusive right to act as defence counsel in criminal cases. Everyone at this bar association is an attorney; their status can be verified in the Moscow register of attorneys, and for the Mariupol office in the register of attorneys of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

How is the agreement concluded and the fee paid?

The legal-assistance agreement is concluded directly between you and the attorney. The fee is paid into the bar association’s cash office or bank account (art. 25(1), (6) of Federal Law No. 63-FZ). Terms are discussed at the consultation — we do not quote figures sight unseen.

What is attorney–client privilege?

Any information you give your attorney in connection with legal assistance is protected by law (art. 8 of Federal Law No. 63-FZ): an attorney cannot be questioned about it, and demands to disclose it are unlawful. It is a legal regime, not a promise.

Do you work only in Moscow?

The bar association works in Moscow and, since 2026, has an official representative office in the DPR — in Mariupol. Attorneys also handle cases in other regions: our practice includes proceedings in commercial (arbitrazh) courts — Russia’s state courts for business disputes — outside Moscow.

Can you help with tax, valuation or ongoing business support that does not need attorney status?

Such work — tax disputes, insolvency support, corporate law, valuation and audit — is handled by the lawyers of Kovalev & Partners LLC, a law firm with which the bar association has a cooperation agreement: kovalev.moscow. The bar association remains an independent organisation responsible for the attorney side of the work.

Do you advise in English?

Yes — written advice and court documents are prepared in Russian (the language of proceedings), and we correspond and explain the case to you in English. This page is a courtesy translation: where the two versions differ, the Russian version prevails.

PRACTICE / 05

Administrative cases

A fine, suspension of operations, an authority’s refusal of a lawful request — administrative cases look “small” until you count their consequences. Deadlines matter most here: often only days are allowed for an appeal.

Call: +7 499 460-64-27

What we do

Defend clients in administrative-offence cases.
Challenge actions and inaction of state authorities and officials.
Conduct cases under the Code of Administrative Court Procedure.
Contest decisions imposing administrative liability.
Represent clients during inspections by supervisory authorities.

Typical situations

The company has been fined following an inspection.
An authority refuses a permit or approval without clear grounds.
A fine has arrived that you believe is wrong.

HOW THE WORK IS BUILT

How the work is built

Assessment

We check deadlines, procedure and the elements of the offence: administrative cases often collapse on procedural violations.

1–3 days

Complaint

Objections and a complaint to the higher authority or the court.

within the statutory deadline

Court

Representation at hearings, evidence, expert reports.

per the court’s schedule

WHO HANDLES IT

Attorneys in this practice

All attorneys

Yury Koval

Attorney

Kovalev, Malyutov, Tsypkalo & Partners

Attorney since 2014; before that, more than twenty years in military prosecution offices. Retired colonel of justice.

Military lawMilitary registrationCriminal lawAdministrative law

More about their experience

Education: Graduated in 1992 from the law faculty of the Military Institute with a degree in law.
Practice: From 1992 to 2013 served in prosecutorial and investigative positions in military prosecution offices; colonel of justice. An attorney since 2014.

Olga Lapina

Attorney

Kovalev, Malyutov, Tsypkalo & Partners

Attorney since 2010, practising in Moscow since 2020. Employment, family, inheritance and housing disputes; pro bono expert to the Moscow Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights.

Employment lawFamily lawInheritanceHousing disputesProtection of entrepreneurs

More about their experience

Education: Graduated in 2008 from the Volgograd Law University.
Practice: Called to the bar in 2010. From 2010 to 2020 a member of the Astrakhan Regional Bar; since 2020 practising in Moscow, a member of the Moscow City Bar Chamber.
Public work: Pro bono expert to the Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights in Moscow.

QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Is a small fine worth appealing?

We count in money: if the fine sets a precedent, affects repeat-offence status or drags suspension of operations behind it — appeal. If not, we will say so.

How long do I have to appeal a fine?

As a general rule, ten days from receipt of the decision. The deadline is short, and missing it without good reason forfeits the right — so come early.

Can a small business have a fine replaced with a warning?

Yes: for a first offence causing no harm or danger, fines on small and medium-sized businesses are, under certain conditions, replaced with a warning. We check whether the rule applies in every case.

NEXT STEP

Let’s discuss your situation

The consultation is free when an agreement is signed: that is where we say whether the case has prospects and how the work would be built.

Call: +7 499 460-64-27