Meet the team
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AVERUS is a top-tier Lithuanian law firm with offices in Vilnius and Klaipėda, recognised for its exceptional track record in shipping and transport, dispute resolution, and corporate law. The firm stands out for combining deep local knowledge with international deal experience, making it a trusted partner for complex, cross-border mandates.
AVERUS brings together a team of seasoned lawyers, many of whom have backgrounds in both private practice and public institutions. The firm’s structure ensures direct partner involvement, delivering strategic and pragmatic solutions tailored to each client’s needs. AVERUS is regularly engaged by international corporates, state authorities, and high-net-worth individuals in sectors ranging from transport and logistics to infrastructure, real estate, waste management and energy.
Whitepapers and Articles
On April 16, 2025, the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania annulled a nearly €2.5 million financial correction imposed by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) on the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority. After three years of litigation, the court ruled the correction was unfounded.
The client was represented by AVERUS attorney Sigita Klimkienė. According to her, the ruling not only safeguarded the client’s rights but also set a significant precedent: financial corrections cannot be applied for merely formal violations. The decision aligns with the Court of Justice of the European Union’s judgment in case C-175/23 of October 4, 2024.
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In 2024, the Environmental Protection Department (AAD) accepted guarantees issued by companies operating in Lithuania under the names ApiFidi and CommerFidi, using the brand of Italy’s “Confidi”. It was later revealed these guarantees did not meet the legal criteria for securing public obligations—they qualified as neither bank guarantees nor any other recognized form of financial security. As a result, AAD began rejecting them, leaving businesses that had relied on these instruments facing delays, financial losses, and reputational damage, while also being forced to replace already accepted guarantees.
These issues are now the subject of legal proceedings led by AVERUS partners Jonas Sakalauskas and Milda Simelytė, who are seeking accountability from those who distributed unauthorized financial products. The case highlights regulatory gaps that allowed questionable instruments to enter the market unchecked and exposes broader problems in the waste management sector, where access to lawful guarantees remains limited and disproportionately expensive.
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Improper disposal of used batteries—often hidden in holiday electronics gifts—poses a serious environmental and fire risk. To prevent accidents and reduce damage, AVERUS environmental law expert Jonas Sakalauskas, alongside industry professionals, emphasizes the need for better technologies, public awareness, legal clarity, and institutional cooperation. One potential solution is a battery deposit system, modeled after the successful beverage container return scheme. Another proposal is a civil liability mechanism to cover damages caused by hazardous waste improperly discarded by consumers.
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Following the crash of a SWIFT Air cargo plane (Boeing 737, registration MC-MFE) near Vilnius Airport on November 25, 2024, questions of liability and compensation have arisen. The incident, which resulted in the death of one pilot and injuries to crew members, also caused property damage on the ground but fortunately no civilian casualties. Under the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability for commercial flights, compensation may apply to damaged cargo owners and affected third parties—while injured crew and aircraft owners will typically seek compensation under EU and national laws. Property owners in Lithuania are entitled to compensation for both material and non-material damage under domestic law.
The crash underscores the complexity of aviation liability. Claims may involve a wide circle of parties, from cargo owners and aircraft lessors to local infrastructure managers and delayed airlines. While SWIFT Air is subject to mandatory aviation insurance—typically covering up to USD 700 million—the scope and limits of compensation depend on the cause of the accident and the applicable legal framework. As AVERUS partner and aviation law expert Laura Čereškaitė-Kinčiuvienė notes, incidents like this highlight the importance of clear regulatory mechanisms and effective coordination between jurisdictions.
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