Transpordi- ja mereõigus Kogemus

• Representing an international shipping company in challenging the illegal arrest of a cruise liner at the request of the Russian prosecutor based on wrong interpretation of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. The arrest was voluntarily withdrawn after filing a claim.

  Successfully defending a Nordic flight operator in a EUR 4 million civil court claim over a jet aircraft sales contract. The case was unique, demanding analysis and understanding of the interplay between aviation laws of three EU and one non-EU jurisdictions. The outcome highlights SORAINEN's ability to combine a grasp of complex international law issues and court procedure to deliver a clear victory.

  Assisting Elisa, a major Finnish telecommunications company, in obtaining an injunction and arresting an oil tanker under a damages claim for damage to an underwater telecommunications cable. The defendant denied liability. SORAINEN succeeded in the claim, which was awarded in full with interest by two court instances. The case is currently pending in the Supreme Court.

  Advising the leading global bunker supplier in arresting three cargo ships to secure payments due and in settling some claims and recognition and enforcement of a Dutch court decision enforceable against the vessels. One of the arrested ships was sold in 2010 enforcement proceedings. Further disputes between creditors are to be expected.

  Advising Akciju komercbanka Baltikums, part of a private international financial group, in enforcing a ship mortgage in Estonia. The SORAINEN Estonian and Latvian offices cooperated on this case, showing the great advantage of one firm supplying cross-border litigation services. The client's claim was fully recognised by the court in May 2010 but disputes continue between creditors.

  Generally advising a leading global company in recycled material processing operating in the Baltics. Recently SORAINEN assisted on termination of a transportation contract, including analysis, strategic advice on termination negotiations and preparing termination documentation under local law.

  Assisting a leading international shipping law firm in planning registration of ships in the Baltics by a German ship owner. Advising on Latvian law in a possible claim against a Latvian shipyard including assessing validity of the contractual dispute resolution clause, claim viability plus availability of provisional measures under Latvian contract law and civil procedure rules.

  Assisting a leading global shipping line by reviewing the client's standard transportation contracts used for Russian cooperation partners plus adjusting the contracts to be used in multi modal cargo transportation.

  Assisting a dynamically growing modern bank successfully operating in Riga, Limassol, Kiev and Almaty including advising on enforcing a ship mortgage in Estonia against a vessel already under arrest, with the SORAINEN Estonian and Latvian offices providing a unique integrated service to resolve complex cross-border civil procedural issues.

  Representing a Finnish transporter of oil and petrochemical products in Finland, Russia, the CIS and the Baltics in a dispute with a Latvian company under a contract for rental of railway cars, resulting in a favourable outcome for the client without recourse to the court.

  Representing a German insurance company in a classic dispute between insurer and road carrier over failure to maintain a specific temperature while carrying deep frozen food products, involving complex argumentation under the CMR convention and national law on freight forwarders. SORAINEN was able to show that the freight forwarder was also a carrier and thus liable for cargo damage.

  Advising Towage & Marine Assistance, the leading towage company in Lithuania, on forming a joint venture company with SMIT, a major international maritime services company, a complex transaction totalling EUR 31 million involving an innovative solution - contributing a business as a going concern in exchange for shares.

  Continuously assisting the biggest Baltic air carrier on all aviation law related issues in Lithuania, including advising on regulatory issues, personnel, passenger claims, claims by competitors, corporate matters, flight rights, registration of aircraft plus airport taxes and duties.

  Advising one of the largest international airports in Lithuania on state aid related issues, in particular on financing of new routes by the Lithuanian government.

  Advising a global leader in transport insurance on subrogation claim issues: investigating a cargo theft and damage case in Kazakhstan, providing a railroad carrier with necessary documents, filing the claim with public railroad authorities.