Lovells

Lovells has advised on the disposal of up to 100% of the shares in National Logistic Company (NLC), the leading warehousing service provider in Russia’s logistics market, to Finland-based logistic company Itella.  With a value of over €220 million, the deal is one of the largest in the Russian logistics market and the first acquisition by a European investor of a Russian logistics operator.  The transaction was signed on 25 April.  

Itella will purchase 90% of the share capital of BVI-based holding company NLC, which holds a chain of Russian subsidiaries.  The remaining 10% of the share capital will be retained by NLC’s major shareholder, which is a member of RosEvroGroup, a major Russian diversified holding.  This share package will eventually also be acquired by Itella.  The deal is conditional upon − among other things − obtaining the consent of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation. 

This deal is another example of Lovells' strong relationship with RosEvroGroup. In June 2007, Lovells advised the shareholders of RosEvroGroup on their first disposal of a minority stake in RosEvroBank to financial investors.  

The Lovells team was led by the Moscow managing partner Oxana Balayan and corporate consultant Maria Baeva (Moscow) with assistance from corporate associates Natalia Konovalova (Moscow) and Louise Rooney (London).  

Oxana Balayan, Lovells' managing partner, said:  

"We are delighted to have been involved in this high profile transaction, which is the first of this kind in the Russian logistic market.  We are also very glad to have had another opportunity to work with the experienced team of RosEvroGroup."

Lovells' Moscow office  

Our successful Moscow office was established in 1997. Today, Lovells CIS is one of the leading law firms in Russia and has built a very strong legal practice serving the needs of Russian and international clients.  Lovells CIS focuses on five main practice areas: corporate including M&A, finance including banking and capital markets, real estate, intellectual property and dispute resolution. Lovells CIS comprises a team of more than 60 people including 37 Russian and expatriate lawyers and legal staff headed by Oxana Balayan. Oxana is ranked is a Recommended Corporate M&A and capital markets lawyer by Chambers Global in 2007.
 
About Lovells  

With over 3,000 people operating from 26 offices in Asia, Europe and the United States, Lovells is one of the world's leading international law firms. We advise many of the world's largest corporations, financial institutions and governmental organisations.  We regularly act on complex, multi jurisdictional transactions as well as some of the most high profile commercial disputes. Lovells (the "firm") is an international legal practice comprising Lovells LLP and its affiliated businesses.  Lovells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639.  Registered office and principal place of business: Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG.
 
The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Lovells LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member, employee or consultant in any of its affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing.