Armenia and CIS presence
Since 5th April 2021, RVS has partnered up with Dimension Legal, a law firm based in Yerevan, Armenia, to offer our clients corporate law services in Armenia and CIS countries. Dimension Legal RVS strives to deliver tailor-made services that perfectly fits every client’s needs by providing consultancy to an extensive range of customers, starting from individuals with questions regarding their contract to financial institutions on preparation and execution of Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP).
Services
Our main five areas of practice include: Governance, Investigation and Compliance, Corporate Finance and Project Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Restructuring and Due diligence, Commercial Contracts, and Employee Incentive Arrangements. Due to the extensive working experience of its Managing Partner, Davit Hakobyan in public International Law, Dimension Legal RVS provides also legal services in Public International Law.
Governance
As a set of processes and policies in place that dictate how a business is governed, corporate governance is a significant factor in improving investment intake, business performance, and upper management accountability. With the years of experience in providing governance consultancy, we are well placed to provide advice on issues around how power is structured between the board and shareholders, how the boards are composed, what responsibilities the directors have, and remuneration related aspects.
Dimension Legal RVS is actively engaging with the current public policy debate in respect of corporate governance and deeper regulatory requirements. We are constantly updating our knowledge and skills to meet the trends on the global market to provide businesses with the best advice and solution.
Key services we are able to provide in this respect:
- Conduct analysis on the accepted local and international standards and Codes of Best practices.
- Prepare and advise on corporate constitutions, shareholder rights and matters reserved to the board.
- Advise on reporting obligations and prepare relevant policies.
- Prepare and review policies and procedures in relation to internal oversight and risk management.
- Advise on reputation protection.
- Draft and advise on director and employee remuneration incentive arrangements that helps drive engagement within the business;
- Advise on shareholder and board disputes;
- Assist on listing the company on a local or foreign stock exchange, diagnostic review, drafting a roadmap detailing all the actions that should be taken before the listing becomes possible.
Internal Investigations
Internal investigations help discover regulatory and compliance issues within a business. In doing so internally, this will allow you to put things right and put together action plan to avoid your company to be subject of prosecution for criminal and regulatory breaches.
Our firm has deeper understanding of what the regulatory investigators will look for when auditing or investigating your business. Our expert lawyers in London and Yerevan are experienced within the regulatory compliance area and have consulted governmental bodies in creating regulatory frameworks.
Key services we are able to provide in this respect:
- Investigate the full depth of the issue, identify the causes and eliminate them, to avoid future risks.
- Secure the vital evidence
- Manage the crisis
- Propose a reputation management plan and offer you a sensible roadmap in respect of how to protect your business during such trying times
Regulatory Compliance
We strongly believe that a competitive edge is a crucial factor in a business. In order to achieve this, it is important to ensure that your business understands the regulatory framework that it functions within and has compliance programs in place to meet regulatory requirements. In addition, any business that is looking to trade globally or especially work with Western partners, is now under pressure to have strong regulatory compliance measures in place to match that of the international good practice. Our team are knowledgeable within the regulatory compliance area. We are able to advise, taking into account not only the local legislation, but the latest trends in the international legal arena.
Key services we are able to provide in this respect:
- Guidance on rules and regulations in international trade context.
- Ensure that the compliance and governance strategies that we develop, are well balanced, pragmatic and contribute to a smooth running of your business.
- Offer flexible solutions that respond swiftly to the changing regulatory environment.
- Advise on codes of ethics, a useful tool that we can offer to your business, that will not only ensure your regulatory compliance, but will highlight your commitment for social responsibility, giving you a distinctive advantage when it comes to attracting international investments, which are now more often than not linked to the business’s profile in respect of compliance and social responsibility.
Mergers & Acquisitions, Restructuring and Due Diligence
For most businesses, Mergers & Acquisitions can be a defining moment for growth and life cycle. If not addressed correctly, this could lead to crucial problems. For Mergers & Acquisitions to be truly successful, guidance on each step from identifying the right opportunities, initiating negotiations, to guiding your business through the process to a successful transaction is important.
With our experience in cross-border deals and our international approach positions, we pride ourselves in achieving successful M&A processes by providing the best legal advice coupled with astute commercial awareness. We believe that the knowledge and understanding of legal intricacies are as important as discerning your corporate culture and values, your business objectives and ambitions.
Key services that we provide in this respect:
- Purchase and sales of companies and their assets;
- Private equity transactions;
- Takeovers;
- Reorganisations and de-mergers;
- Corporate restructuring;
- Independent due diligence, for M&A transactions handled by other law firms.
Commercial Contracts
The importance of getting commercial contracts right cannot be overstated. As the framework within which your organisation trades with other businesses, commercial contracts will need to take into account the local laws and regulations, but also the ones in overseas jurisdictions, if those are relevant to the transaction.
Our lawyers are able to draft commercial contracts will be your ally in achieving your business ambitions, while a poorly thought-out contract can have disastrous impact on the business and your reputation. With the skills and knowledge to secure watertight commercial contracts for your business, we can support you and your business throughout the formation and execution of the contracts.
Key services we provide:
- Drafting commercial contracts;
- Assisting you during transactional negotiations;
- Reviewing and updating existing contracts;
- Determining the best medium of dispute resolution for your commercial contracts;
- Assisting you during the dispute resolution process.
Employee Incentive Arrangements
For many growing businesses, employee incentive arrangements are one of the main concerns. The Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) is one of the most effective and internationally recognised measure among a variety of other incentive tools. ESOP is a program that allows company employees to acquire company shares and become shareholders during (in some circumstances also after) the period of their employment. Depending on the project, the participation of company employees can be direct or indirect, through a separately established SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle).
This tool promotes the development of the company’s internal management system through diversifying its shareholders; supplementing them with professionals in the relevant sector and those who have made and will continue to make significant contributions to the company’s development in the future. The relationship between program participants and the company’s shareholders, including matters pertaining to allocation, is usually regulated by the Share Purchase Agreements and Shareholders’ Agreement.
Our advisors are able to provide advise and guidance on the employee incentive arrangements matters. We look to provide the superlative solution by looking into regulatory compliance issues of specific industries (finance, retail, telecommunication).
Public International Law
Our market-leading practice includes specialists in environmental law, regulatory compliance and risk management, anti-bribery and corruption, international criminal law, human rights and sanctions. With the experience and knowledge as well as our partnership between London and Yerevan, we are confident to offer advice on national and international corporations, financial institutions, international organisations and NGOs, governments on contentious and non-contentious aspects of public international law.
