Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited focuses on international and local arbitration, as well as litigation proceedings for clients in key industry sectors including oil, gas, energy, telecoms, pharma, mining and infrastructure. The firm benefits from its inclusion in the firm’s global dispute resolution practice group, which provides IT platforms for clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings. The team is also well regarded for its expertise involving disputes with state authorities, including anti-monopoly and tax and customs. Managing partner Azamat Kuatbekov co-heads the team alongside Alexander Korobeinikov, with Kuatbekov skilled in litigation and arbitration matters, and Korobeinikov noted for his experience in high-value arbitration proceedings, including the first arbitration matter under the Arbitration Rules of the Astana International Financial Centre. Alissa Inshakova supports the main partners in litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP represents the Republic of Kazakhstan and its state-owned enterprises in international arbitrations, including in the oil and gas sector as well as uranium, gold and construction. Askar Moukhitdinov leads the dispute resolution practice and handles all disputes related to the oil and gas industries, as well as investor-state arbitrations involving the mining and other natural resources sectors, and Peter Wolrich, who is based in Paris, is a key figure in aiding the development of the ICC Rules of Arbitration and the Rules for Expertise and the Dispute Board Rules. Nurlan Mukhitdinov is part of the corporate and international arbitration groups and has been involved in several investor-state arbitrations under the rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Dentons assists clients in a broad range of disputes, from contractual and commercial litigation, to banking litigation, tax and customs, and insolvency cases. Team members represent clients from an array of industries in disputes against state authorities, especially with the rise of environmental disputes between subsoil users and the state due to administrative fines for excess emissions imposed by the environmental authorities. Daniyar Toigonbaev leads the practice and is focused on disputes with tax and other governmental authorities both in Kazakhstan and abroad. Victoria Simonova advises clients on a variety of dispute resolution matters involving the IP, corporate and employment areas, and Aigoul Kenjebayeva is active in providing independent opinions to assist international arbitral tribunals in understanding Kazakh law. Nazym Bekturova is another name to watch.

Kinstellar LLP specialises in a range of domestic and cross-border disputes, including commercial, construction, environmental and labour disputes. The team is active in representing clients before both the AIFC Court and the AIFC International Arbitration Centre, especially in sectors such as oil and gas and financial services. Dispute resolution department head Ardak Idayatova, who recently joined from AEQUITAS, focuses on commercial arbitration and litigation, and advises clients in foreign commercial arbitrations in connection with construction disputes arising out of different contracts based on FIDIC models. Farukh Iminov also recently joined the firm from AEQUITAS and is experienced in handling disputes with government agencies, and Dinara Nurgazy is a further key name.

The dispute resolution team at Unicase Law Firm is well regarded for its expertise in arbitration and litigation covering a range of industry sectors, including oil and gas, banking, transport and infrastructure. Managing partner Artem Timoshenko advises both domestic and international clients on arbitration and mediation, and also has a strong track record of enforcing foreign court decisions in Kazakhstan. Sanzhar Amangeldy is noted for his experience in the construction and technology industries, and supports Timoshenko in a variety of disputes.

AEQUITAS is well regarded for its focus on cross-border litigation and commercial arbitration, with the firm routinely working alongside specialists from their respective jurisdictions on disputes. The team is led by Olga Chentsova, who is experienced in advising oil and mining clients in litigation and arbitration, and has also been active in representing clients in investment arbitrations and disputes under the rules of various arbitral bodies including UNCITRAL, SCC and ICC. Yuliya Chumachenko is another key name, along with Yekaterina Khamidullina, who was promoted to partner in February, and Kristina Mychka.

GRATA International is experienced in a broad range of litigation, from construction and commercial disputes, to employment matters and IP litigation. Practice head Askar Konysbayev focuses on commercial litigation, especially cases arising out of the restructuring process, as well as international and domestic arbitration. Zhandarbek Ramazan co-leads the practice, and Sukhrob Issakhanov stands out for his representation of international companies in the local courts and in Kazakh arbitration.

Working closely with its connected teams of practitioners in London and the CIS, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises clients in disputes related to treaties between parties in Kazakhstan and the former Soviet states, as well as in cross-border enforcement and the resolution of corporate disputes. Recently, Bakhytzhan Kadyrov and Karina Mazhidenova have advised energy sector clients in cross-border arbitration and litigation. Managing partner Aset Shyngyssov heads the Kazakhstan practice and is involved in major disputes for clients in the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors.

Noted for its ‘proactive approach in navigating challenging situations’, Reed Smith LLP‘s dispute resolution practice works together with the firm's London offering to provide a range of services related to domestic and cross-border litigation and arbitration. Lucy Winnington-Ingram leads the practice from London.

Salus Legal provides a full service within dispute resolution for domestic and international clients in multiple industry sectors including transport and confectionary, covering all aspects of litigation, arbitration, adjudication, mediation and settlement negotiations. Dispute resolution team head Duman Akhmetov advises clients in arbitration, and is also experienced in IP litigation and the pre-trial settlement of disputes. Kurmangazy Talzhanov supports the team in international and local arbitration.

Sayat Zholshy & Partners collaborates with other departments to provide clients with a full service within dispute resolution, handling cases ranging from corporate disputes to tax, antitrust, IP and investment disputes. Vitaliy Vodolazkin leads the practice and specialises in litigation in courts of all instances, while Yelena Tyureikina handles tax and customs disputes. Assel Sandybayeva has been involved in numerous arbitration and enforcement proceedings.

SIGNUM Law Firm continues to represent global clients in compliance and litigation, especially arising out of the international sanctions levied on Russia. The dispute resolution team has also been active in representing clients in a range of other disputes, from tax cases to administrative cases involving the state and authorities, contractual disputes and investment disputes, including investment arbitration. Senior partner Talgat Sariev leads the practice and handles all types of in-court disputes and arbitration proceedings involving Kazakh assets and parties.

Noted for operating in ‘a unique niche, providing comprehensive protection in disputes across a wide range of legal needs’, TKS Disputes is well regarded for its expertise in domestic and international litigation involving Kazakhstan, as well as international arbitration and post-Soviet law cases. Bakhyt Tukulov leads the practice.

Artyushenko & Partners Boutique Law Firm covers litigation and arbitration within the real estate and construction sectors, with practice head Andrey Artyushenko experienced in FIDIC and EPC contracts. The team works closely with other international firms on matters requiring expertise on Kazakh law. Gulnar Ospanova specialises in economic disputes related to major investment projects involving the banking sector, and Mikhail Zyablov is also a key name.

Centil Law has been active in both the local and international courts, covering a range of disputes relating to energy, construction, employment and insurance. Dispute practice head Dinara Jarmukhanova covers international dispute resolution and local litigation.

With offices in Almaty, Astana and Karaganda, MG Partners specialises in commercial and crypto based disputes, with members of the team being founders of Central Asian International Commercial Arbitration, which deals with commercial disputes based on the UNCITRAL arbitration rules. Managing partner Inna Ionova is experienced in general dispute resolution, with particular expertise in intellectual property law.

Nazkhanov and Partners specialises in dispute resolution, assisting corporate entities and individual clients within civil, criminal and tax litigation. Tair Nazkhanov handles civil disputes, and Abzal Kassymzhanov is experienced in settling commercial disputes with state authorities. Both Kassymzhanov and Nazkhanov lead the practice alongside Oryngazy Jaboldinov, Nataliya Russakova, Darkhan Dyussembekov, Damir Zhamalov and Nikolay Reznikov.