The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Varul is a second tier firm,

Varul advises on a range of banking and finance issues, and has a particular focus on disputes. The team recently represented Grove Invest in two interrelated disputes with SEB: firstly, SEB’s €5m claim against the client under a first demand guarantee agreement and, secondly, Grove Invest’s €95m damages counterclaim. Practice head Ants Mailend is well respected, and is supported by the talented Paul Varul and managing partner Helmut Pikmets.

Within Corporate and M&A, Varul is a first tier firm,

Varul advises numerous international and local clients on a wide range of matters pertaining to M&A, company formations, reorganisations, due diligence, and corporate governance. It recently advised Navirec, a cutting-edge vehicle tracking systems manufacturer, on selling its Estonian operation to GSMvalve. Ants Mailend and Martin Tamme jointly lead the practice and are highly recommended. Former senior associate Ramon Rask left to found his own firm.

Within Dispute resolution, Varul is a first tier firm,

Varul successfully represented Euroapteek in a Supreme Court case against the State Agency of Medicines to define what constitutes a pharmacy advertisement, achieving a ruling that set precedent. Paul Varul has long been considered to be one of Estonia’s best litigators, and Helmut Pikmets is noted for his expertise in white-collar criminal cases.

Within EU and competition, Varul is a first tier firm,

Varul recently represented Edelaraudtee AS, the largest diesel train operator in Estonia, in a competition dispute with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. This case related to potentially unlawful state aid to be given to a competitor as well as the violation of public procurement rules by the Republic of Estonia. Experienced specialist Vaido Põldoja leads the team.

Within IP, IT and telecoms, Varul is a first tier firm,

Litigation specialist Varul has recently represented clients in trade mark litigation involving international clients, and also acted for Abobase Systems AS, a services and sales partner of Hewlett-Packard, in copyright litigation against the Republic of Estonia concerning the mobile telephone number mobility system. Practice head Ants Mailend is widely well respected.

Within Real estate and construction, Varul is a first tier firm,

Varul successfully represented Viis Veeringut in a case against the Estonian Ministry of Culture concerning the minister’s directive that declared a commercial building in central Tallinn to be an architectural monument. The court found the directive to be contrary to aspects of the constitution and voided it. Department head Martin Tamme is recommended.

Within Shipping and transport, Varul is a first tier firm,

Paricularly active in the rail sector, Varul is representing Edelaraudtee AS, Esonia’s largest diesel train operator, in negotiations with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to reduce the current contract for Edelaraudtee’s services in order to launch a 100% state-owned competitor.

Within Tax, Varul is a first tier firm,

Varul successfully represented fuel retailer Kõrveküla Tankla before the Constitutional Review Chamber of the Supreme Court of Estonia in a dispute with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Vaido Põldoja leads the team, which also includes former department head and current managing partner Helmet Pikmets.