городы Москвы
+7 (495) 323-64-04
English-Speaking Lawyer in Moscow and Saint Petersburg
Legal assistance for foreign citizens, expats, and international clients in Russia — foreign citizens in Russia often find it difficult to deal with legal issues without professional assistance. The matter may involve immigration status, business, real estate, family disputes, employment, criminal proceedings, administrative checks, or a conflict with a counterparty.
In such situations, it is important to work with a lawyer who not only understands Russian law, but can also clearly explain the legal situation in English: what risks exist, which documents are required, what actions are possible, and what consequences each decision may have.
We provide legal assistance to foreign citizens in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Clients are supported by an English-speaking lawyer who helps them understand the Russian legal system and guides them through every stage of their matter.
When a foreign citizen needs a lawyer in Russia
You should contact a lawyer if you are in Russia, conduct business here, work, are married, own property, are involved in a dispute, or have faced claims from state authorities.
For a foreign client, the difficulty is often not only the legal issue itself, but also the lack of understanding of the procedure. Russian documents, courts, police, immigration authorities, notaries, contracts, and administrative rules may be unfamiliar and complicated for a person who does not speak Russian or does not know the local legal system.
An English-speaking lawyer helps the client understand what is happening, what rights they have, what steps should be taken, and how to avoid mistakes that may affect their status, property, business, or personal freedom.
Main areas of legal assistance
1. Legal help for foreigners in Russia
We advise foreign citizens on issues related to staying in Russia, preparing documents, communicating with state authorities, immigration checks, administrative procedures, and legal status. This service is suitable for those who live in Russia, are temporarily staying in the country, came for work, study, family reasons, or business matters.
What is included:
• legal consultation in English;
• analysis of documents and the legal situation;
• explanation of the rights and obligations of a foreign citizen;
• assistance in communication with state authorities;
• support during inspections and disputed situations;
• preparation of applications, explanations, and legal requests;
• protection of the client’s interests in Russia.
2. Business, contracts, and corporate matters
Foreign entrepreneurs and companies in Russia often face issues related to business registration, contracts, office leases, employment, payments, tax obligations, corporate conflicts, and disputes with counterparties. We help foreign clients understand Russian contracts, assess transaction risks, conduct negotiations, protect their interests in disputes, and communicate with Russian partners.
What is included:
• consultations for foreign entrepreneurs;
• review of contracts in Russian and English;
• negotiation support;
• assistance with business registration in Russia;
• corporate documents;
• disputes with counterparties;
• debt recovery;
• transaction support;
• representation in court.
3. Family, inheritance, and property matters
Foreign citizens in Russia often face issues related to marriage, divorce, division of property, child support, child custody disputes, inheritance, purchase of real estate, powers of attorney, and other documents. Such cases require special attention because they may involve several jurisdictions at once: Russia, the client’s country of citizenship, the place of residence of spouses or children, or the location of property.
What is included:
• consultations on marriage and divorce in Russia;
• division of marital property;
• child support;
• child-related disputes;
• inheritance matters;
• preparation of powers of attorney;
• real estate transactions;
• notary support;
• explanation of Russian documents in English.
4. Criminal and administrative defense
If a foreign citizen becomes involved in a criminal or administrative case in Russia, legal assistance is needed immediately. Mistakes at the first stages — during detention, questioning, interrogation, or signing documents — may seriously affect the client’s position later. We defend foreign citizens in cases involving detention, inspections, interrogations, criminal charges, administrative offenses, immigration violations, and other situations where there is a risk of liability.
What is included:
• urgent lawyer visit;
• defense during detention;
• participation in interrogations and investigative actions;
• assistance in communication with the police;
• defense in administrative cases;
• defense in criminal cases;
• cooperation with an interpreter;
• explanation of the client’s rights in English;
• representation in court.
Why foreign clients need an English-speaking lawyer
Ordinary translation is not always enough. In legal matters, it is important to understand not only the words, but also the legal meaning of what is happening. The client must understand which documents they are signing, which obligations they are accepting, which deadlines must be met, and what consequences may follow.
An English-speaking lawyer helps a foreign client feel more confident in the Russian legal system. The lawyer explains the procedure in clear language, translates the legal meaning of documents, helps ask the right questions, and protects the client’s interests when dealing with Russian authorities, courts, notaries, counterparties, and other parties involved in the matter.
Who this service is for
This service is suitable for foreign citizens who are in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, or are planning to come to Russia. We assist:
• expats working in Russia;
• foreign entrepreneurs;
• investors;
• employees of international companies;
• spouses of Russian citizens;
• foreigners who own real estate in Russia;
• foreign students;
• tourists facing legal problems;
• foreign citizens detained or held liable;
• foreign companies that need representation in Russia.
How we work
1
Initial consultation
The client explains the situation in English. The lawyer clarifies the circumstances, reviews the documents, and determines which issues require immediate attention.
2
Legal analysis
We assess the situation under Russian law, identify possible risks, deadlines, required documents, and potential consequences for the client.
3
Action plan
The client receives a clear explanation of what is happening, what rights they have, what documents are required, what options are available, and what steps should be taken.
4
Legal support
If necessary, the lawyer accompanies the client during negotiations, court hearings, meetings with state authorities, police procedures, notarial actions, transactions, or correspondence with Russian organizations.
What the client receives
After contacting us, the client receives:
• a legal consultation in English;
• an understanding of their rights in Russia;
• analysis of documents and risks;
• a clear action plan;
• assistance in negotiations and official procedures;
• representation in court or before state authorities;
• defense in administrative and criminal matters;
• legal support in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
The main goal is to ensure that a foreign client is not left alone with an unfamiliar legal system, a language barrier, and documents whose consequences they may not fully understand.
English language and legal terminology
The client can explain the situation directly to the lawyer, without distortion or misunderstanding.
Understanding the interests of foreign clients
We understand that for a foreign citizen, the consequences may affect not only Russian legal matters, but also their status, business, family, property, and ability to stay in Russia.
Work in Moscow and Saint Petersburg
We provide legal assistance in Russia’s two key business and legal centers.
Professional legal defense
In complex situations, the client receives not general advice, but professional legal assistance and protection.
Cost of services
The cost depends on the nature of the matter, urgency, volume of documents, need for travel, participation in negotiations, court hearings, or communication with state authorities.
Possible formats include:
• consultation in English;
• document review;
• negotiation support;
• court representation;
• urgent lawyer visit;
• comprehensive case support.
The exact cost is determined after an initial assessment of the situation. Before starting work, the client receives a clear explanation of the scope of services and the payment procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Need an English-speaking lawyer in Moscow or Saint Petersburg?
If you are a foreign citizen, expat, entrepreneur, or representative of a foreign company and you are facing a legal issue in Russia, get a consultation with an English-speaking lawyer.
We will explain your situation in clear language, assess the risks, and offer a legal action plan.
