The Legal 500

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

Varul is in demand for insolvency and debt restructuring for major clients, typically on the borrower side, although Swedbank and Visa International (UK) are also clients. The firm is ‘sharper’ than some competitors, say clients. Practice head Gints Vilgerts has ‘excellent negotiation skills’ and a business-oriented approach.

Within Corporate and M&A, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Varul is praised for its lawyers’ language skills, ‘Western outlook’, and ‘original ideas and approach to solutions’. The corporate practice is a core area for the firm, which advised Verifone on Latvian aspects of the €340m merger of two IT companies. Gints Vilgerts and Julija Jerneva lead the practice.

Within Dispute resolution, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Varul’s dispute resolution practice is the preferred choice for several major Baltic companies such as If P&C Insurance and construction company Merko. Practice head Debora Pavila is ‘very responsive, competent and absolutely first choice in public procurement matters’, as demonstrated by the firm’s challenge to Latvia’s public procurement law in the Constitutional Court for business solutions provider HansaWorld Latvia.

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

Keeping pace with the growth of competition and EU law in Latvia is Varul, where Julija Jerneva and Debora Pavila are ‘outstanding in the competition field’. The firm is representing food retailer Rimi Baltic in litigation following the Competition Council’s ruling of abuse of dominant position, a demanding case comprising cutting-edge economic analysis and European case law.

Within IP, IT and telecoms, VARUL is a third tier firm,

Varul’s new clients include telecoms service provider Baltkom TV, which the firm is advising in a dispute with Lattelcom regarding the rates applicable to the transfer of telephone numbers. Technology sector clients include Datakom and HansaWorld Latvia. Debora Pavila ‘takes a wide view on the issue to be solved’, including the potential for action under EU law.

Within Legal market overview ,

The country’s largest firms have formed single-brand alliances with practices in Estonia, Lithuania and beyond, and are reaping the rewards of that strategy. Attorneys at Law Borenius has done particularly well with a winning formula of leading individuals and strong links to Finland’s top-five firm of the same name. Similarly, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is rejuvenated since last year’s pan-Baltic merger, and relatively young firm Varul continues to make an impact, having opened in Belarus in 2011, a jurisdiction where many firms have failed to expand in the prevailing political climate.

Within Real estate and construction, VARUL is a second tier firm,

‘The overall level of service is excellent’ at Varul, which has ‘a good understanding of the commercial realities of business’ and provides ‘real-life workable solutions’. The firm successfully represented construction companies Per Aarsleff AS (Denmark) and Merko Ehitus AS (Estonia) in a procurement dispute with the Freeport of Riga Authority.

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

If P&C Insurance is a key client of Varul, instructing the firm regarding multiple disputes including a €1.1m claim against Kuehne+Nagel Latvia that is pending appeal. Gints Vilgerts’ clients ‘feel safe with his assistance’, and he is supported by a team of ‘high-quality associates’.

Within Tax, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Varul’s standalone tax practice is ‘perfect, in terms of response time and knowledge’. Its extensive portfolio of instructions includes international tax planning advice to SK Media Group and VAT litigation for Airo Catering Services Latvia. Experienced tax specialist Edgars Koškins heads the practice.