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Vadim Vunukainen

Vadim Vunukainen

Partner, Advocate

Vadim has over 10 years of experience in representing clients in international arbitration and litigation. He represents the interests of clients in intricate disputes arising from the termination of large infrastructure projects, construction disputes, corporate conflicts, as well as in disputes arising from contracts for the supply of goods and services. Vadim is particularly sought after on projects involving sanctions and multi-jurisdictional issues.

Projects

Qualification

Representing one of the world’s leading energy equipment manufacturers in a high-profile multibillion-dollar arbitration administered under the SIAC Rules arising out of the breach of an EPC contract and arbitration-related litigation proceedings in Singapore courts.

Dispute has arisen regarding the construction of a thermal power plant in Asia.
International Commercial Arbitration
International Litigation

Representing a Russian atomic energy corporation in a number of parallel commercial disputes totaling several billion US dollars.

The dispute is related to the termination of a nuclear power plant construction project.

International Commercial Arbitration

Representing the world’s largest natural gas exporter in ad hoc arbitration.

The dispute was related to supply contracts governed by Swedish law.
International Commercial Arbitration

Representing a Russian mining company in a multibillion-dollar dispute with an EU member state in an investment arbitration administered under UNCITRAL Rules.

Representing a major Asian construction company in an ICC arbitration arising out of the construction of a large energy complex.

Representing a Russian construction company in an international arbitration administered under the ICC Rules in a dispute with a subcontractor arising out of a FIDIC contract for the construction of a complex linear infrastructure facility.

Advising a leading Russian shipbuilding company in parallel disputes related to construction and supply contracts in arbitration administered under the ICC and SCC rules.

Representing Russian-Belgium joint-venture of Sibur Holding PJSC and Belgian chemical concern Solvay S.A. against a claim brought by German logistics giant n arbitration proceedings administered under the ICAC rules.

Representing asset management companies of a private pension fund in the Russian courts in disputes with the Central Bank of Russia and state-owned Russian banks.

The dispute was related to challenges of transactions carried out as part of bank CVA procedures as well as in the process of amicable settlement negotiations.
Domestic Litigation

Representing a Russian state corporation in a corporate dispute resolved in the courts of Guernsey, British Virgin Islands and Luxembourg.

Representing a bondholder in Russian commercial courts in a dispute with the bond issuer in connection with restructuring a bond issue on the basis of a resolution of the general bondholders’ meeting.

Representing a large Russian industrial enterprise in a dispute arising out of an agency contract in Russian courts.

The dispute was complicated by the laws of three foreign jurisdictions and international sanctions.
Domestic Litigation

Vadim’s experience encompasses projects in the energy sector, including nuclear energy and oil & gas, as well as in fertilizers industry, telecommunications, petrochemicals, logistics and international finance.

Throughout his career, Vadim has acted as a representative in dozens of arbitrations under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), as well as before Russian courts and in international litigation. Vadim has also published numerous works addressing complex arbitration issues and the protection of the interests of Russian parties in modern realities. Vadim has deep expertise in resolving cross-border disputes and offers clients creative solutions that achieve the best possible results in their cases. He is particularly sought after for his strategic vision of the projects, his ability to deliver complex legal arguments in an practical manner, and his readiness to deliver the required advice in the shortest possible time.

Education

2025

Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management in Legal Business, National Research University – Higher School of Economics

2024

Cross-examination, Delos

2023

Advocacy, GAR Academy

2022

Paris Arbitration Academy

2021

RIMA International Arbitration Academy

2019

LL.M., National Research University – Higher School of Economics

2016

LL.B., Saint - Petersburg State University (SPbGU)

2015-2020

Six programs of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA) in Athens, Dublin, Geneva, Vienna and Warsaw on corporate law, international commercial and investment arbitration

Admission to practice

2022 - Advocate
2016 - Russia

Languages

Russian
English

News and publications