Economic sanctions have become more relevant than ever. This webinar will give you an update on the status of the sanctions against Russia and guidance on their impact and effects on several important areas, such as commercial contracts, the food industry, the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector, the insurance market and arbitration proceedings. Also, the restrictions of sanctions on the movement of Russian citizens and the use of recreational vessels will be discussed.

WELCOME AND OPENING OF THE CAPSULE

• Urquiola DE PALACIO DEL VALLE DE LERSUNDI, UIA President, Palacio & Asociados, Madrid, Spain

MODERATOR

• Veit ÖHLBERGER, Dorda Rechtsanwälte GMBH, Vienna, Austria

1. Overview of sanctions and sanctions lawmaking of the EU
What are sanctions and which sanctions have been put in force against Russia, both from the EU and the US. On the example of the sanctions on the energy industry, it will be discussed how the practical approach varies between EU-Member States and how the EU's lawmaking process regarding sanctions has changed in 2022.

Speakers:
• Mareike HEESING, Oppenhoff & Partner, Cologne, Germany
• Christoph OERTEL, President of the UIA Contract Law Commission, Brödermann Jahn Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft MBH, Hamburg, Germany

2. Effects of sanctions on pending contractual obligations
How to deal with pending contracts: Continue performance? Invoke a force majeure clause? Negotiate with the other party? These and other questions will be discussed by analyzing two cases regarding (i) the EU seller of sanctioned goods to Russia, and (ii) the EU buyer of restricted goods from Russia and the consequent impact on the supply chain.

Speaker: • Mariaelena GIORCELLI, President of the UIA International Sale Of Goods Commission, Bortolotti , Mathis & Associati, Turin, Italy

3. Effects of sanctions on movement of Russian citizens
Discussion on the effects of sanctions on Russia on restrictions of movement of Russian citizens traveling outside Russia, with a focus on the Schengen zone and the United States.

Speakers:
• Ellen FREEMAN, Ellen Freeman Immigration Law Group, PLLC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
• Dirk NUYTS, EY, Zurich, Switzerland

4. Effects of sanctions on use of recreational vessels
Discussion of case-law on the freezing of recreational vessels, mainly from France and Italy, with a particular view on differences in case law and national legislation, despite a European framework. How are these different rules enforced and what problems are emerging from their application?

Speaker: • Alberto PASINO, President of the UIA Transport Law (Sea, Land, Air) Commission, Studio Legale Zunarelli E Associati, Trieste, Italy

5. Knock-on effects of sanctions on food industry and on pharmaceutical and medical devices sector
Food and health products are not directly covered by sanctions, but both the food industry as well as the health-product-market are greatly affected by the sanctions and the war. In looking at these special areas, various issues will be discussed, such as the difficulties in exporting to the critical regions and to Russia and the problems in distributing fertilizers and in purchasing raw materials.

Speakers:
• Magdalena ZIELINSKA-KUC, WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr Sp. K., Warsaw, Poland
• Eliana SILVA DE MORAES, Silva De Moraes Associes, Sao Paulo, Brasil

6. Impact of sanctions on insurance market
Overview on the current situation regarding insurance coverages for risks in Ukraine and Russia.

Speaker: • Frédérique BANNES, President of the UIA Insurance Law Commission, FB Conseil, France, Paris

7. Effects of sanctions on arbitral proceedings 
When may arbitral proceedings be impacted by sanctions? Which difficulties may arise during arbitration proceedings and, subsequently, during the enforcement phase, when sanctioned parties are involved?

Speaker: • Elena GILLIS CINTRANO, Uría Menéndez Abogados, S.L.P., Madrid, Spain