Biography: Oil and Gas

Aydin Jebrailov is a partner with the Moscow office of Macleod Dixon ELP. Aydin's practice centres on natural resource clients and covers all aspects of the negotiating, structuring and financing of subsoil operations in Russia. Aydin has represented clients (including Lukoil, GDF Suez and Petro Canada, as well as numerous independent North American and Russian oil and gas companies) in major oil and gas projects in Russia and the CIS.

He advises on the acquisition of subsoil properties at auctions and tenders, the direct and indirect acquisition and sale of interest in existing natural resource projects, as well as production-sharing agreements. Aydin provides title legal opinions on Russian subsoil licences, advises on the conversion of exploration licences into production licences, supervises work on complex reorganisations and the transfer of subsoil licences from potentially troubled companies to legally secure corporate entities, successfully obtains approvals from subsoil authorities for amendments to subsoil licences, and has in addition successfully defended subsoil users from suspension or termination of their licences in administrative disputes and in Russian commercial courts. Aydin also has considerable experience related to acquisitions of interest in 'strategic' companies and the legal framework pertaining to subsoil plots of federal significance. Assisting clients on regulatory compliance issues such as land, environmental, technical standard and health and safety matters, are also important aspects of his practice.

Fluently multilingual, he has spoken widely in Russia, Europe and North America and published extensively in Russia on natural resource-related issues. Most recently, in May 2011, he presented a paper at the CIS Oil and Gas Summit held in Paris entitled: 'Politics and Law: How Long Will Strategic Sectors' Legislation Remain Unamended?' Aydin has consistently been listed as a leading practitioner for energy and natural resources law in the world's leading legal directories since 2001.

Biography: Mining

Over the course of his career Aydin Jebrailov has built a distinguished reputation as one of Moscow's most pre-eminent legal professionals. He is highly regarded and respected for his sophisticated knowledge of matters related to international finance, business, mining and energy. He maintains an all-encompassing legal practice involving a broad spectrum of project structuring and investment strategies and handling practical aspects of conducting business in Russia.

Mr Jebrailov has advised on the acquisition of subsoil properties at auctions and tenders, direct and indirect acquisitions and sale of interest in existing natural resource projects, net smelter royalties and profit sharing agreements. His experience includes legal guidance to clients on regulatory compliance issues such as land, environmental, technical standard and health and safety matters. Aydin also has considerable experience related to acquisitions of interest in 'strategic' companies and the legal framework pertaining to subsoil plots of federal significance. Several examples of prominent and precedent setting transactions distinguish Mr Jebrailov as a leading expert in mining, such as his role as lead lawyer in the first project financing to take place in Russia's mining sector. Throughout his career, he has been retained to provide legal counsel to some of the biggest names in the mining industry, acting for such companies as Bema Gold, De Beers and Lhoist.

Mr Jebrailov received his law degree from Baku State University School of Law and was awarded his PhD from the Academy of Sciences in Moscow.

Fluent in several languages, Mr Jebrailov has spoken widely in Russia, Europe and North America. He has also contributed numerous articles to industry specific publications on Russian subsoil legislation. Mr Jebrailov has consistently been listed as a leading practitioner for natural resources law in the world's leading legal directories since 2001.