Russian legislation envisages payment for negative (harmful) environmental impact (NEI). The necessity of such payment is provided by the Federal law No 7-FZ from 10.01.2002 “On environmental protection”. The types of NEI, for which payment is required, include emissions of pollutants into the air by stationary and portable objects, discharges of pollutants into the surface and underground water bodies and disposal of production and consumption wastes. The current procedure takes into account the rights of companies to receive so-called benefits with regard to the NEI fee: the obliged to pay this fee parties have the right to make adjustments, i.e. to reduce the amount of this fee. Yunona Sizykh, senior consultant at the Alliance Legal CG, Legal Practice Department, spoke to our magazine about the cases when a company can count on these privileges, what exactly they are, and illustrated the examples of court practice in this area.

The owner of the land and buildings owns half of the treasures found in them, for a 50 percent reward is entitled to count and find the find. However, cultural property must be handed over to the State, and concealment of archaeological artefacts is also subject to criminal liability.

Experts advocate a faster lifting of restrictions before 2025. Commented by Sergey Volosnikov, Advisor, Head of Financial and Analytical Department.

The government is discussing a plan to restore the country's economy after the crisis caused by the coronavirus. One of the details of this plan is to change the rules of the simplified tax system. "Fintolk" has figured out what will change and for whom, and most importantly, whether it's good or bad. Comments Nikita Rozhentsov, senior consultant at Alliance Legal CG's Legal Practice Department.

The Ministry of Economic Development has offered to give the little one and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to clarify their core business. The measure would allow the number of companies applying for state support to be expanded. Sergey Volosnikov comments

An article providing for liability for the commission of an offence in outer space and in Antarctica has been added to the draft of the new Code of Administrative Offences. What can be fined for in such exotic circumstances? And what types of administrative penalties can be applied? We asked Yunona Sizykh, Senior Consultant at the Department of Legal Practice of Alliance Legal CG, to comment on the question.

The article covers the little-studied issues of digitalization of state control (supervision). The author considers the positive aspects of the processes of informatization and automation of control for the participants of control and supervisory relations. The importance of these processes for ensuring the rights of citizens and organizations is studied within this context. Positive experience of digital control accumulated by different departments is presented. Some problems arising in connection with the introduction of digital forms of control are raised.

Alina Manina - why the property of the bankrupt is sold for peanuts and in what cases a criminal case may be instituted against the buyer.

The owner of the apartment has been paying current utility bills properly, but has accumulated a decent debt for the past years. The management company decided to use the money coming from it to pay off the debt, but the apartment owner did not agree. The Supreme Court explained the period for which the "communal" payment should be credited. Comments Yunona Sizych, Senior Consultant at the Legal Practice Department of Alliance Legal CG.

In recent years, the role of sanctions risk management has rapidly increased and sanctions compliance due to the high risks of Russian residents and domestic companies getting on the US and EU sanctions lists. The media regularly speaks about events and court decisions in cases concerning the inclusion of organizations and individuals in the SDN - the list of blocked persons, and in sectoral lists. This year at the international scientific and practical conference "Kovalevskie Alliance Legal Consulting Group presented its new direction "Practice of sanction law". Rod Tuvaev, special advisor in the practice of sanctions law of Alliance Legal CG, founder of Sanctions Adviser Bureau, BIS certified expert, member of PAEI (USA, Los Angeles), spoke at the conference. We present to you Rod Tuvaev's opinion on sanctions law.