Unicase
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024
About
Managing Partner: 1
Number of Partners: 7
Number of other fee-earners: 8
International Offices: 3
Unicase is a leading one-stop-service law firm founded in 2010, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, also operating in Central Asia, Dubai, India and China. The partner Team comprises 63% women, and the equal opportunities policy is enforced in practice. Unicase has gained over the last 15 years of experience and established a team with around 90 years of combined experience with a total value of deals advised on in 2023 amounting to approx. 410 million USD with several undisclosed projects due to confidentiality agreements.
The Majority of Unicase partners are holders of US and UK LLM degrees with a minimum of 15+ years of experience in Central Asia, the Middle East and CIS regions. Partners are members of various associations such as Qazaq Green, KazBar, and Kazakhstan Independent Director's Association.
Unicase is based on the following core values:
1) Compliance: Following all laws and regulations without taking any shortcuts.
2) Excellent service: 110% completion for each objective is another value at Unicase. We go the extra mile to complete the job.
3) Perseverance: legal practice ensuing social transformation cannot just “happen” overnight. It is a marathon where every stakeholder’s endurance and patience undergo severe testing.
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Unicase provides an extensive range of legal services across the full spectrum of economic and social infrastructure projects in Renewable, Infrastructure and PPP and other sectors.
Energy and Resources:
Unicase supports lenders, investment companies and developers contributing to the energy sector. We advise our Clients on traditional and renewable energy projects involving wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy. Our partners work on changes to the legislation and lead investment projects like the largest battery-powered renewable energy project proposed by a private independent power producer (IPP), which involves the construction of a wind farm with 200 turbines to produce around 3,800 GWh of electricity a year. The total capacity of renewables projects handled by our Team exceeds 4 GW.
Corporate and M&A:
Unicase has gained and established itself in the Central Asia region a front-row seat in advising its clients, both national and international major corporations. In 2023 alone, Unicase has worked on 35 major cross-border M&A projects.
Litigation:
Unicase Litigation Team has advocacy experts, litigators, investigators, arbitrators, mediators, and bankruptcy lawyers to partner with our Clients and ensure each case meets clients' needs. The industries include oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, transport and construction, trade, real estate, banking, insurance, finance, and telecommunications.
With over 500 cases won, equaling 97% overall successrs continue to climb, and the firm’s experience is rate, the numbeonly improving.
Technology and IP rights:
Unicase advises on all aspects of technology and intellectual property development, protection, procurement and licensing, such as licence agreements, joint ventures, outsourcing, financing (including project, leverage and acquisition financing), including venture capital and private equity investments. New start-ups and established ones are opening in AIFC and Astana Hub, and we advise on corporate, financing and IP issues. Some established technological companies have relocated already into Kazakhstan such as Indrive app that is now number 2 in the world most popular car sharing app. after Uber technologies.
INTERNATIONAL WORK:
- Unicase advised the international multi-energy company TotalEnergies in drafting and negotiating a groundbreaking PPA and Agreement on Investments for the Mirny project, marking the first of its kind in Kazakhstan. Located in the Zhambyl region, this project aims to establish a 1 GW onshore wind farm with a 600 MWh battery storage system, representing a $1.4 billion investment.
- Unicase advises ALES ( heating source providing power to 70% of the consumers in Almaty, Kazakhstan) on a multitude of legal matters on the project of developing a gradual decommission and replacing the inefficient-coal-based power generating unit with a combined cycle gas turbine with an installed capacity of up to 600 MW for electricity.
- Unicase advises American international corporate law firm on the intricate and current legal framework in the Republic of Kazakhstan in relation to the hydrogen production industries and the implementation of the CCS/CCUS technology. This legal consulting includes in-depth legal work, an extensive understanding of the HSE laws and regulations and established environmental, health, CCS, and Geo-thermal laws.
OFFICES
- HQ: Nurly Tau, Block 1B, office 204, 19 Al-Farabi avenue, Almaty, 05000, Republic of Kazakhstan, +7777 440 00 04
- Kunaev st. 29/1, BC Diplomat, 14th floor, office 1414, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan, +7702 777 85 20
- Tashkent city, Mirzo Ulug'bek district, Mustakillik street, 7, Tashkent, 100000, Republic of Uzbekistan, +998909590639
Ranked Offices
Provided by Unicase
- AlmatyOffice 204, Block 1B, BC Nurly Tau Al-Farabi Avenue , Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 050059
- Web: unicaselaw.com
- Tel: +7 (727) 344 92 92
- View ranked office
Unicase rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
21 items provided by Unicase
Ownerships in local private limited companies.
Rooftop Solar in Kazakhstan: Barriers and Recommendations
The gradual reduction in the cost of renewable energy (the “RE”) technologies and the introduction of state support measures in many countries contributed to increased investments in the RE sector worldwide.
Kazakhstan's Grid Connection, Transmission, And Curtailment Risks
PPA in Kazakhstan is executed with the Financial Settlement Center, which is an offtaker and only pays for the energy. The grid operator is a separate entity and is not a party to the PPA, although it signs the grid connection, transmission and other kinds of arrangements with the project company.
Renewable Energy Facility M&A In Kazakhstan: Due Diligence Issues For Consideration
As of September 2022, 52 countries had approved their low-carbon development strategies. European Union and the United States of America set carbon neutral targets by 2050 and China by 2060. In December 2020, at the Climate Change Ambition Summit, President Tokayev K.K. announced a new goal.
In Pursuit Of Heat: Kazakhstan To Adopt Law On Heat Power Industry
Sustainable heat supply plays a critical role in Kazakhstan, which is located in a sharp continental climate zone, where temperatures can reach below 40-50 degrees Celsius in the northern regions during the winter.
Is Arbitration a Suitable and Effective Dispute Resolution Method in the Republic of Kazakhstan?
Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism where the parties choose the private dispute resolution over the court trials. This article focuses on some major problems arbitration in Kazakhstan.
This guide is intended to underline practical considerations for investors looking to acquire or establish a business in Kazakhstan.
Changes in the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Renewable Energy Sources
The President, Kasim-Jomart Tokayev, signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Supporting the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Electricity".
Shareholders’ Agreement: How to Apply it in Kazakhstan
The article tackles the issues of the possibility of the conclusion of the shareholders’ agreement and applicability of common law clauses in the agreements of the companies incorporated in the form of a limited liability partnership.
First airport in Kazakhstan constructed under PPP model
This will be the first major Public-Private Partnership project in Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s healthcare sector. The concession period for the 300-bed hospital project in Almaty is 18 years including a construction period of 38 months.
Restrictions on raising and granting loan funds to individuals
The newly adopted law introduces amendments to the Civil Code of Kazakhstan to ensure adequate protection of the rights of the individual.
Renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan - How to secure the land?
The procedure for obtaining the land use right may vary depending on the category and the purpose of the land. How can the developer obtain the land use rights in Kazakhstan and operate the facility?
Small is Efficient: Clean Energy in Uzbek Neighborhood
Energy efficiency, a core ground of Green Economy Strategy adopted last year in Uzbekistan, in fact starts at each and every home. Electricity can be used much more efficiently than before, for example by using LED light, variable speed motor drives and efficient home appliances.
Due Diligence in The Acquisition The Renewable Energy Facility in Kazakhstan
The interest of investors in the sector is growing every year, this leads to an increased in the number of acquisitions of companies involved in the production of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Amendments to Digital Technology Regulations
This Alert summarizes the most significant amendments to digital technology regulations introduced by the Law «On introduction of amendments to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on digital technology issues» (hereinafter - the "Amendments") entered into force on July 6, 2020.
New Law Changes to Improve Healthcare System
The new Healthcare Code in Kazakhstan effective from 19 July 2020 introduced valuable novelties in public healthcare regulation in Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan Taking Further Steps for Increasing Energy Efficiency
3.3 billion kW/h of power is planned to be saved in Uzbekistan's economy over 2 years in virtue of energy efficiency measures of electricity.
10 Things About Renewable Energy in Uzbekistan
The Republic of Uzbekistan has adopted its first statute providing comprehensive regulation of its renewable energy sector, i.e. the Renewable Energy Law (the “RE Law”), which entered into force on 22 May 2019.
Public–Private Partnership in Roads: Passing Through Challenges
Traditionally, governments have been the principal authorities responsible for implementing infrastructure projects (both in terms of financing and construction). However, over the last few decades, the situation has begun to change.
Legal Regulation of PPP in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Currently, there is an uneven access of the population to medical services in Kazakhstan. In particular, this problem concerns access to quality medical services in rural and sparsely populated areas. In this regard, the issue of creating, modernizing and reconstructing medical facilities is being a
Top 5 ‘Must-Knows’ That Will Help You Enforce Arbitral Award in Kazakhstan
In this article, we would like to address some aspects which may prevent enforcement of an arbitral award in Kazakhstan. From this perspective, our further recommendations may be of practical value to companies as well as their legal counsels. It is worth noting that some of the recommendations need
Ownerships in local private limited companies.
Rooftop Solar in Kazakhstan: Barriers and Recommendations
The gradual reduction in the cost of renewable energy (the “RE”) technologies and the introduction of state support measures in many countries contributed to increased investments in the RE sector worldwide.
Kazakhstan's Grid Connection, Transmission, And Curtailment Risks
PPA in Kazakhstan is executed with the Financial Settlement Center, which is an offtaker and only pays for the energy. The grid operator is a separate entity and is not a party to the PPA, although it signs the grid connection, transmission and other kinds of arrangements with the project company.
Renewable Energy Facility M&A In Kazakhstan: Due Diligence Issues For Consideration
As of September 2022, 52 countries had approved their low-carbon development strategies. European Union and the United States of America set carbon neutral targets by 2050 and China by 2060. In December 2020, at the Climate Change Ambition Summit, President Tokayev K.K. announced a new goal.
In Pursuit Of Heat: Kazakhstan To Adopt Law On Heat Power Industry
Sustainable heat supply plays a critical role in Kazakhstan, which is located in a sharp continental climate zone, where temperatures can reach below 40-50 degrees Celsius in the northern regions during the winter.
Is Arbitration a Suitable and Effective Dispute Resolution Method in the Republic of Kazakhstan?
Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism where the parties choose the private dispute resolution over the court trials. This article focuses on some major problems arbitration in Kazakhstan.
This guide is intended to underline practical considerations for investors looking to acquire or establish a business in Kazakhstan.
Changes in the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Renewable Energy Sources
The President, Kasim-Jomart Tokayev, signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Supporting the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Electricity".
Shareholders’ Agreement: How to Apply it in Kazakhstan
The article tackles the issues of the possibility of the conclusion of the shareholders’ agreement and applicability of common law clauses in the agreements of the companies incorporated in the form of a limited liability partnership.
First airport in Kazakhstan constructed under PPP model
This will be the first major Public-Private Partnership project in Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s healthcare sector. The concession period for the 300-bed hospital project in Almaty is 18 years including a construction period of 38 months.
Restrictions on raising and granting loan funds to individuals
The newly adopted law introduces amendments to the Civil Code of Kazakhstan to ensure adequate protection of the rights of the individual.
Renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan - How to secure the land?
The procedure for obtaining the land use right may vary depending on the category and the purpose of the land. How can the developer obtain the land use rights in Kazakhstan and operate the facility?
Small is Efficient: Clean Energy in Uzbek Neighborhood
Energy efficiency, a core ground of Green Economy Strategy adopted last year in Uzbekistan, in fact starts at each and every home. Electricity can be used much more efficiently than before, for example by using LED light, variable speed motor drives and efficient home appliances.
Due Diligence in The Acquisition The Renewable Energy Facility in Kazakhstan
The interest of investors in the sector is growing every year, this leads to an increased in the number of acquisitions of companies involved in the production of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Amendments to Digital Technology Regulations
This Alert summarizes the most significant amendments to digital technology regulations introduced by the Law «On introduction of amendments to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on digital technology issues» (hereinafter - the "Amendments") entered into force on July 6, 2020.
New Law Changes to Improve Healthcare System
The new Healthcare Code in Kazakhstan effective from 19 July 2020 introduced valuable novelties in public healthcare regulation in Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan Taking Further Steps for Increasing Energy Efficiency
3.3 billion kW/h of power is planned to be saved in Uzbekistan's economy over 2 years in virtue of energy efficiency measures of electricity.
10 Things About Renewable Energy in Uzbekistan
The Republic of Uzbekistan has adopted its first statute providing comprehensive regulation of its renewable energy sector, i.e. the Renewable Energy Law (the “RE Law”), which entered into force on 22 May 2019.
Public–Private Partnership in Roads: Passing Through Challenges
Traditionally, governments have been the principal authorities responsible for implementing infrastructure projects (both in terms of financing and construction). However, over the last few decades, the situation has begun to change.
Legal Regulation of PPP in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Currently, there is an uneven access of the population to medical services in Kazakhstan. In particular, this problem concerns access to quality medical services in rural and sparsely populated areas. In this regard, the issue of creating, modernizing and reconstructing medical facilities is being a
Top 5 ‘Must-Knows’ That Will Help You Enforce Arbitral Award in Kazakhstan
In this article, we would like to address some aspects which may prevent enforcement of an arbitral award in Kazakhstan. From this perspective, our further recommendations may be of practical value to companies as well as their legal counsels. It is worth noting that some of the recommendations need