Foreign creditors seeking to enforce against Russian mining and metals operators frequently consider directing letters rogatory — formal requests for judicial assistance — at Russian state authorities. The practical utility of this mechanism under Russian law is narrower than foreign counsel often assume, and the sector introduces specific institutional complications.
Russian courts and authorities handle incoming letters rogatory under two frameworks: treaty-based channels and Russian domestic civil procedure where no applicable treaty exists. Russia is a party to the 1993 Minsk Convention on Legal Assistance in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters, which applies among CIS member states. Russia is not a party to the 1970 Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad — a channel that practitioners familiar with common-law jurisdictions may expect to use. Requests arriving outside a treaty basis are processed, where accepted at all, through diplomatic channels and subject to significant delay.
In the mining and metals sector, letters rogatory are most commonly directed at three Russian authorities. The Federal Agency for Subsoil Use (Rosnedra) maintains the state register of subsoil licences. Rosreestr holds title records for immovable production assets and land plots. The Federal Tax Service holds corporate registry and financial data on operating entities. Each authority applies its own procedural rules; the scope of information disclosable is defined by Russian law, not by the requesting court's evidentiary standards. Rosnedra treats certain licence data as commercially sensitive, and responses are typically limited to publicly available register extracts.
Creditors should expect processing timelines of several months even under treaty frameworks. They should also verify at the outset whether the relevant Russian entity or asset falls within a sector subject to strategic subsoil classification, which may restrict disclosure further.
For an overview of asset tracing mechanisms available to foreign creditors in Russia, see the firm's Asset Tracing & Recovery practice and the related briefing International letters rogatory directed at Russian authorities.
If you are tracing assets against a Russian mining or metals operator — make an enquiry: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp/Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76
Vetrov & Partners is a Russian boutique law firm established in 2009, recognised by Pravo-300 for eight consecutive years. The firm's asset tracing and recovery practice advises foreign creditors and distressed investors seeking to identify, preserve, and enforce against Russian-sited assets. Enquiries: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp / Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76 | t.me/vitvetcom
This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice under Russian or any other applicable law. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Vetrov & Partners is a Russian-qualified law firm. For matters governed by foreign law or requiring local admission in another jurisdiction, we collaborate with trusted counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@vetrovpartners.com.
-- Elizaveta Razina Senior Lawyer, Practice Lead -- IP Enforcement, Vetrov & Partners vetrovpartners.com/razina/
Elizaveta Razina leads the firm's intellectual property practice, representing foreign trademark owners in infringement proceedings before Russian state courts and the IP Court. She has been with the firm since 2012 and holds a degree from Novosibirsk State University (2013). She advises on anti-counterfeiting strategy and parallel import controls.