Dispute resolution: arbitration & litigation
Mikhail Samoylov, LL.M. (MIDS)
Independent counsel & arbitrator.
I’m an accomplished lawyer with deep experience in dispute resolution and legal team leadership. Over the years, I’ve led high-stakes matters and built strong legal teams—both within in-house legal departments and at leading law firms in Russia.
Previously headed the litigation department of a major Russian bank, managing a team of over 40 in-house lawyers.
Experienced in handling a broad spectrum of disputes across various subject matters and jurisdictions, including appearances before the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Acted as counsel for RTK in a landmark case in Russia concerning a unilateral arbitration clause (RTK v. Sony Ericsson, Case No. 1831/12).
Represented leading international clients, including BASF, METRO Cash & Carry, and UBS Switzerland AG, before Russian courts at various levels.
Previously headed the litigation department of a major Russian bank, managing a team of over 40 in-house lawyers.
Experienced in handling a broad spectrum of disputes across various subject matters and jurisdictions, including appearances before the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Acted as counsel for RTK in a landmark case in Russia concerning a unilateral arbitration clause (RTK v. Sony Ericsson, Case No. 1831/12).
Represented leading international clients, including BASF, METRO Cash & Carry, and UBS Switzerland AG, before Russian courts at various levels.
Represented the Central Bank of the Russian Federation in enforcement proceedings.
Skilled in international commercial (ICC) and investment arbitration (ICSID), having acted as both counsel and presiding arbitrator. Listed as an arbitrator with the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC).
Contributor to several legal publications in English and Russian on arbitration and litigation, including the ICCA Yearbook on Commercial Arbitration andthe IBA Arbitration Guide.
Serves as Co-Head of the Russian Arbitration Association’s working group on monitoring court practice in arbitration.
You can view my full CV here.
Skilled in international commercial (ICC) and investment arbitration (ICSID), having acted as both counsel and presiding arbitrator. Listed as an arbitrator with the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC).
Contributor to several legal publications in English and Russian on arbitration and litigation, including the ICCA Yearbook on Commercial Arbitration andthe IBA Arbitration Guide.
Serves as Co-Head of the Russian Arbitration Association’s working group on monitoring court practice in arbitration.
You can view my full CV here.
Key Legal Disputes: Leadership and Personal Involvement.
The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation
- Acted as counsel for RTK in a landmark case in Russia concerning a unilateral arbitration clause (RTK v. Sony Ericsson, Case No. 1831/12).
- Acted on behalf of a bank in multiple lawsuits relating to employer liability for employee misconduct, with potential legal exposure estimated at approximately RUB 1.5 to 2 billion.
- Acted on behalf of a bank in a dispute with a local authority concerning the recovery of debts under a loan agreement.
- Represented a bank in a legal dispute involving access to justice issues.
Other courts
- Represented a bank in litigation against its former beneficiaries to recover RUB 198 billion in damages.
- Acted as counsel for Swiss-based companies in appellate litigation involving piercing the corporate veil and the recovery of over RUB 87 billion in damages.
- Represented a bank in appellate litigation concerning the inclusion of RUB 7.5 billion in the bank’s claims in the creditors’ register.
- Represented a bank in cassation proceedings in a case challenging a transaction involving the transfer of real property—an ancient building in the city of Saint Petersburg—to the bank, valued at over RUB 1.4 billion.
- Acted as counsel for one of the world's leading Swiss-based banks in a number of disputes involving two private jets before Russian courts.
- Acted as counsel for a client in a landmark litigation on the liability of the Russian Federation over non-enforcement of a court decision. For the first time, a court ordered the state to pay RUB 700,000 in compensation for non-material damage to a legal entity.
International Commercial (Investment) Arbitration
- The presiding of the arbitral tribunal. A dispute arose between an Uzbek company and a German company under a contract for the sale of goods. The applicable law was Uzbek law, and the seat of arbitration is Tashkent. The arbitration was conducted in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- A sole arbitrator. A dispute arose between an Uzbek company and a Singaporean company under a service agreement. The applicable law was Uzbek law, with the seat of arbitration in Tashkent. The arbitration proceedings were conducted under the Arbitration Rules of the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- Acted as a counsel for a Russian investor in an investment arbitration under the ICSID Additional Facilities Rules.
- Acted as counsel for a claimant in an arbitration concerning a dispute arising from a guarantee agreement between a Russian company and a sovereign state. The arbitration was conducted under the Arbitration Rules of the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. English law governed the dispute, with Moscow serving as the seat of arbitration.
- Advised a claimant on unilateral sanctions in ICC arbitration.
(с) Mikhail Samoylov. 2025.
