Representation in court

What is happening

A summons arrives for a claim you have never heard of: the neighbours below want compensation for a leak, a former tenant wants the deposit back, a builder wants more money for the renovation. The hearing is in two weeks, and it is unclear what to bring.

You filed the claim yourself, but the case has gone off track: the other side now has a lawyer, has raised limitation and asked for an expert examination, and the judge is asking about evidence you do not have. The case needs rethinking midstream.

You live in another city or abroad, while the dispute is in Moscow. Travelling to every hearing is not possible, and you need a representative who will be there throughout and tell you promptly about anything important.

What the law says

• Civil cases are heard under the Code of Civil Procedure: some low-value property disputes and certain other categories go to justices of the peace, the rest to district courts. Jurisdiction also determines where an appeal will go.
• An individual may conduct a case in person or through a representative. The representative's authority is shown by a power of attorney, usually notarised, or by the client's oral statement at the hearing, recorded in the minutes.
• Each party must prove the facts it relies on. The court does not gather evidence for the parties, but on application it can order documents to be produced, summon witnesses and appoint an expert.
• First-instance errors are easier to correct on appeal if they were flagged at the time: an application made, an objection raised, comments filed on the minutes. The appeal court admits new evidence only if there was a good reason it could not be produced earlier.
• The successful party may ask for its legal costs, including the cost of representation, to be paid by the other side; under the Code of Civil Procedure they are awarded within reasonable limits and only if claimed.

What we do

• We study the claim or the dispute papers, inspect the court file and take copies.
• We build the case: which facts must be proved, with what evidence, and how to meet the other side's arguments.
• We prepare procedural documents: applications to obtain evidence, to appoint an expert and frame the questions, to call witnesses, and written submissions.
• We attend every hearing, question witnesses and experts, check that the minutes are complete and file comments on them where needed.
• We track the progress of the case and the deadlines, tell you about each significant development and explain what it means.
• We obtain the judgment, assess grounds for appeal and apply for costs.

What we will need from you

• The claim, summons and court rulings: everything you have received in the case, with the envelopes.
• Documents on the substance: contracts, receipts, handover certificates, photographs, messenger chats.
• A list of possible witnesses and what each of them can confirm.
• A notarised power of attorney to conduct the case.
• Your account of events in chronological order: what happened, when and who was involved.