Azizov & Partners

The firm: Azizov & Partners was formed by its current partners, Ilkhom Azizov and Aziz Aripdjanov in December 2002. Both partners have been advocates since 1996 and have almost 28 years’ experience of practising commercial law in the emerging markets. Members participated in the governmental working groups responsible for drafting local laws and regulations on banking activity, corporate associations, securities’ market, advocacy; the administrative code, the tax code and the civil code of Uzbekistan. Azizov & Partners has close links with a number of leading international and CIS law firms and often provides joint service to international clients.

The firm has gained reputation for its vigorous representation of clients before governmental bodies, creative and feasible advice, being approachable and particularly for placing great emphasis on the quality of work.

Areas of practice: The firm is experienced in representing overseas and large corporate clients and advising in complex transactions and high-value project financing, as well as in serving small-size new entrants in all the principal areas of commercial law that are in demand in Uzbekistan including:

Banking and finance: The firm is experienced in advising banks and investment funds on cross-border transactions, secured and unsecured bank finance, bilateral and syndicated loans, guarantee and security issues and regulatory matters, establishment of banks, derivatives and corporate finance.

Project finance: A local leader in project finance, the firm offers market-leading advice across all principal sectors, in oil and gas, power, petrochemical and mining. Work experience includes drafting and registration of contracts, including loan agreements and security instruments (pledges, sureties, mortgages etc), guarantees, assignments, EPC/PC contracts and others.

Mergers, acquisitions and takeovers: Mergers and acquisitions embrace a variety of sectors, including energy, heavy industry, telecommunications, banking and pharmaceuticals.

Petrochemical, energy and mining: The firm’s comprehensive gas, oil and mining industry specific expertise includes advising on project development, investment agreements, product enhancement contracts, product sharing agreements, project management contracts and project finance; oil and gas transactions, drilling, sales and marketing agreements, licensing, certification, environmental and sanitary compliance, registration of property, taxation and other regulatory issues.

Corporate and commercial vehicles: The firm advises clients on corporate governance and corporate law matters including incorporation, issuance and transfer of shares, regulatory compliance, information disclosure, internal corporate procedures, re-organizations and liquidations.

Commercial contracts: The firm advises international clients on all aspects of transactions including: sale-purchase of goods and services, agency, dealership, cross border payments, consumer protection, trading standards, regulatory compliance advising and other matters.

Communications and technology: The firm advises clients on all aspects of work, including licensing, telecom transactions, GPS mapping, data protection, commercial and service agreements.

Employment: The firm advises on contracts, workplace relations, including salaries and bonus plans, leaves, discrimination, medical examination, benefits and corporate governance issues, and redundancy.

Antitrust/competition: The firm serves a variety of clients on merger clearances, amalgamations, share and interest transfers, natural monopolies and other competition law compliance; and what is rare among others, has litigation experience in the area.

Administrative law: The firm advises on the regulatory restrictions, various registration procedures, certification, sanitary rules, environment regulations and taxation.

Disputes and litigation: The firm offers litigation expertise on commercial, competition, taxation regulatory, real estate and contractual issues.