Pedagogue found justice in the court

The director of one of  the  schools  in Yerevan was  involved  as  a suspect by  unfounded suspicion for abusing her official position and  falsifying  in official documents.

As a result of this  groundless  charge, in June of this year the director's office was temporarily suspended by the investigator's decision.

The Director of school applied to «AM» Law Firm to recover his violated rights and defend himself from groundless accusations. The professional advocate team of  «AM» Law Firm under the leadership of Levon Sahakyan took the defense of the injured  pedagogue and, as a primary step, filed a complaint against the investigator's decision to the prosecutor's office.

The Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun administrative districts Prosecutor's office rejected the complaint against the investigator's decision and the lawyer Levon Sahakyan's  team had to appeal  the decision of the investigator in the court. The court satisfied the complaint of the educator, obliging the prosecuting authority to abolish the rights of the director and, by his decision, enabled the director to be re-established in his work.

The case is under way, and the professional team of «AM» Law Firm will continue to fight for the complete restoration of the rights of the unreasonable accused pedagogue

The mistake of inspectors in the amount of 5 million was corrected by Complaint Commission of State Revenue Committee

During importation of a number of European products to Armenia, customs  inspectors carried out a proper inspection of  the "Red Path" procedure, as a result of which the product was omitted, because no mistake was found. As  a  result of the customs inspection carried out at the given Armenian importer by the State Revenue Committee's Post-Clearance Control Department, it was found out that the goods that were examined were registered with incorrect codes. As a result, a fine in the amount of  about 5 million AMD was imposed to the company, not taking into account  that the fine actually arose as a result of violations by customs inspectors.

Vanik Margaryan, head of the appropriate team of «AM» Law Firm and the specialists involved with the case filed a complaint to the Complaint Commission of  State Revenue Committee, explaining the unlawfulness of the imposed fine. As a result, the Complaint Commission completely satisfied the complaint, eliminating the fines imposed. Moreover, the above-mentioned commission noted in its decision that in case of proper fulfillment of  its duties by the customs  authority, the fined entity will be free of the obligation to pay penalties calculated in the act.

Thus, «AM» Law Firm registered a positive result by the customs case, without even applying to the court, which proves once again the efficiency of applying to the Complaint commission of State Revenue Committee.

Here is what happened when the insurance company tried not to pay one million of the "Hyur Service"

One of the well-known insurance companies in Armenia was refusing to duly compensate the damages caused to "Hyur Service" LLC as a result of a car accident.

According to the initial report of the damage assessment in the sector CMTPLI, the damage to the vehicle was unjustly estimated 463.700 AMD. Disagreeing with the results of the preliminary examination, the company "Hyur Service" applied to the Armenian Motor Insurers Bureau to request a double examination. As a result, it was confirmed that the damage caused to the vehicle amounted to 1,416,000 Armenian drams, i.e. about 1 million drams more.

The insurance company did not agree with the conclusion of the expert, applied to the court demanding to free them from paying insurance compensation more than 463,700 AMD.

As a result of the professional work of lawyers of «AM» Law Firm and especially advocate Paytsar Kocharyan, on August 8, the court completely denied the groundless claim against "Hyur Service", instead of it, satisfied the counter-claim submitted by «AM» Law Firm and took a decision to seize 1,416,000 AMD from insurance company in favor of Hyur Service, at the same time adding to that amount the interests provided by the Article 411 of RA Civil Code.

Thus, «AM» Law Firm ensured another victory in the court for its customer and did not allow a well-known insurance company to take away one million drams from "Hyur Service" and the interests caused by delayed payment of that amount.

Is the check of cash register sufficient to deliver the goods? The dispute was resolved

The tax authorities have recently filed a fine in amount of 1,000,000 AMD against the Armenian importing company. The company was in such situation because the tax authority found that the company delivered its products without accompanying documents, considering that the checks of cash register could not be considered as accompanying documents and a tax invoice shall mandatory be with them.

In order to repeal the mentioned fine, «AM» Law Firm before applying to the Court, found it expedient to appeal the decision of local tax authority to the Appeal Committee of State Revenue Committee adjunct to the Government of Armenia.

During the discussion of the submitted application, the tax law specialists of «AM» Law Firm were able to substantiate that in the cases where the goods were sold to individuals and then shipped to the latter accompanying with the checks of cash register corresponding to the goods, the mentioned checks are considered as an accompanying document and the existence of any other additional document is not mandatory.

The Appeal Committee decided that, in this case, it is not justified the mandatory binding of the tax invoices accompanying the goods, so the fines imposed are not lawful.

Thus, due to the consistent and principal business entity, the rapid and high-quality work of «AM» Law Firm and due to the substantially improved and effective appeal system of  State Revenue Committee adjunct to the Government of Armenia, the application of the business entity was satisfied and the penalty imposed by improperly interpretation of the law was abolished.

From junior lawyer to company’s partner in five years: «AM» has a new partner

Agreement of acquisition of a status of partner was signed between Narine Sargsyan, member of RA Chamber of Advocates and «AM» Law Firm on 23^th  of June, according to which advocate Narine Sargsyan became a partner of «AM» Law Firm. The official ceremony of the signature of the agreement took place in the headquarter of «AM» Law Firm.

Still in 2012, Narine Sargsyan, a graduate of the French University in Armenia, a beginner lawyer joined «AM» Law Firm as a junior lawyer. Due to her diligence, professional and human high qualities, as well as her commitment to the company, Narine Sargsyan could quickly rise  into the official rank provided by the company's charter and finally become a partner of leading law firm of Armenia.

Advocate Narine Sargsyan  is fluent in French, English, Russian and Armenian. She is specialized in International business, labor and civil law and has a solid experience in provision of services to local and foreign companies, as well as in solving various legal issues of individuals.

There are risks in the project of restoration of ancient streets of Gyumri for the residents of that streets

«Kumayri Veratsnund» investment fund was founded in Gyumri, the aim of which is restoration of two ancient streets of Gyumri (Gorki and Rustaveli) and turning of them to business center. There is a risk, that without presenting a precise project,  people will be obliged to sell their houses or to  leave them and to  become  a shareholder in fund without mentioning fixed price per square meter in case of sale. It was also not presented  how  many shares will be provided  instead of certain territory in case of becoming a shareholder.

«AM» Law Firm, valuing the interests of residents of Gyumri, will provide consultation regarding this and other issues and will clarify to the citizens what income people may expect giving their houses  in the frame of that project or what will happen if the activity of the fund does not succeed and a bankruptcy process begins.

Free of charge consultation will take place on 18^th of  May, at 10:00-18:00  in the address: Gyumri, G. Nzhdeh 1/5.

For pre-registration, please call to the following number: (0312) 3-03-26.

Master-class of criminal law for the students of the Armenian-Russian University

40 students of Armenian-Russian University participated to the master-class of criminal law, organized by «AM» Law Firm, which was conducted by Levon Sahakyan, Partner of «AM», renowned advocate of criminal law  and Narine Sargsyan, Chief Legal Adviser.

Among many theoretical and practical questions, relating to criminal law and law of criminal procedure, the students discussed with the experienced specialists the issue that  the investigators often intentionally involve a person as a witness, warn about criminal liability provided for refusal to give testimony, interrogate, and  only then impose a new  accusation. Regarding this issue advocate Levon Sahakyan clarified that depending on the circumstances of the case one of two options of tactics may be chosen- 1) having a status of a witness to refuse to give a testimony, referring to the constitutional norm, as well as a number of  precedent decisions, 2)to give testimony anyway, and to decide in future whether to insist that testimony or to dispute the admissibility of the given protocol.

Regarding the issue of delays of terms of investigation of criminal case, one of the students offered to set a precise term of investigation of case. Advocate Mr. Sahakyan explained  to the students that it is very dangerous to set a precise term of investigation of a court case and oblige judges to finalize the case during that term, as effective and fair investigation of cases may be endangered. In other words, there may be cases, for fair investigation of which may be necessary longer terms, than will be provided by law. As for classifying cases and, accordingly, setting a separate term  for each one will be very difficult for the legislator. Hence, accepting that the expression ’’reasonable term’’ existing now in the legislation may be interpreted differently by different judges, nevertheless, there is still no better solution.

The students were also interested whether the lawyer should protect his client, realizing he was a criminal. Regarding the above-mentioned question, the experiences advocates answered that for them primary goal should be to protect the interests of their client, which will widely  promote justice, as it will make state bodies work more efficient and conscientious in each case. Besides, the mission of assurance of justice belongs to the courts, not to the advocate.

At  the end of the meeting possibilities and procedures of working or passing a practice in «AM» Law Firm in future were presented to the future lawyers.

The World Bank thanked the leading law firm of Armenia

The World Bank addressed an official letter of gratitude to «AM» Law Firm, noting that the provided information on conditions, promoting  the agriculture of Armenia had a decisive significance for preparation of report  ‘’Enabling the Business of Agriculture’’ (EBA) 2017 and for implementation of analysis. At the same time, the World Bank expressed wish and willingness to cooperate with «AM» Law Firm during the preparation of the next report. The World Bank expressed gratitude with special certificates to Eva Arakelyan, Partner and Narine Sargsyan, Chief Legal Adviser of  «AM», who made detailed examination and analysis of legislation, regulating RA sector of agriculture, in the result of which provided necessary  information on legislative regulations of agriculture of Armenia to the World Bank.

The discussed report of World Bank  presents data that measure legal barriers for businesses operating in agriculture in 62 economies and across 12 topic areas. The data can be used by governments, investors, analysts, researchers and others interested in the regulatory environment for agribusiness, to assess countries’ performance on the topics measured and to identify regulatory good practices.

It should be noted that since 2013 the World Bank implements the project ‘’Enabling the Business of Agriculture’’ (EBA), in the frame of which publishes reports on the agriculture sectors of different countries of the world and on conditions, promoting  them. The sector of agriculture has an important role in the context of realization of two most important purposes of the World Bank-extreme poverty eradication and promotion of universal prosperity.

The difference of the textbook knowledge and the real life presented to the students of the French University

During their visit to one of the biggest law firm in the country dozens of students from the Law Department of the French University were granted the opportunity to compare and juxtapose their academic knowledge with the practical application of law in Armenian reality.

«AM» Law Firm hosted the law students of French University (partner university of University Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in France) in its headquarter. The Chief legal adviser and an Advocate of the firm Narine Sargsyan gave a talk about the difficulties of working with state agencies, as well as the legal gaps and issues in different spheres.

Students were interested whether international private law is of high relevance in Armenia, and what kind of services does «AM» Law Firm provide to foreign investors. The students were presented with the practice of the firm in that sphere, as well as the problems arising during the service provision in international private law and the appropriate solutions.

During the discussions the students were given the opportunity to get an insight about the work of a lawyer. The future lawyers were also presented with the possibilities and the procedure for becoming an intern in or for being hired by the «AM» Law Firm.

Advocate of «AM» Law Firm talks about the issues regarding violations of protesters’ rights and freedom of assembly

The rights of protesters are very often violated”, advocate Hovhannes Khudoyan.

Fine and penalty of 27.000.000 AMD has been repealed

«AM» Law Firm won another case against the State Revenue Committee. With the efforts of «AM» team a fine of more than 10 million AMD, as well as a penalty of around 17 million AMD imposed on the CEO of our client, have been repealed.

The claim has been granted and the decision of imposing fine/penalty has been repealed taking into account the New York Agreement of 22.11.1950 on the importation of educational, scientific and cultural materials. According to the Agreement, papers used for the production of books should be exempted from any customs fees without limitations. Thus, our client has imported and sold the imported papers to the printing houses in without paying customs fees.

The Customs Service did not take into account the Agreement while making its conclusions that the imported papers should be used for printing books by the importer himself and should not be used for resale. Nevertheless, the court concluded that the Agreement does not provide such limitation for the import, and the purpose of this customs fee privilege is to decrease the production cost of books; and the latter does not depend on the factor whether the importer himself prints books or resells the papers to the printing houses.

This decision of the Administrative Court can have major significance for the decrease of the production costs of books in Armenia and can guarantee the right to use the privilege set out in the international agreement relating to the import of papers for book printing.

Partner of «AM» Law Firm, advocate Vanik Margaryan, gives clarifications on the First Channel of Public Television of Armenia

Partner of «AM» Law Firm, advocate Vanik Margaryan, gives an interview to the First Channel of Public Television about the risks of services provided by the tourist agencies and issues concerning the legal regulation of its consequences.

31 teachers have turned to «AM» Law Firm with the legal dispute over the non-payment of their salaries

About thirty teachers of “The Gyumri School of Culture” state non commercial organization (SNCO) had not been paid their monthly salaries for the December 2014. In response to their claim to pay their salaries the administration of the school had assured them that the salaries would be transferred to their bank accounts, however it had not happened. In December 2015 “The Gyumri School of Culture” has been merged to the Shirak State University according to the government decree. After that merger the teachers have appealed to the head of the newly merged university with the request to pay their salaries, however the respond was that the salaries had been previously transferred to the School in due time, thus the University has had no obligations to pay their salaries.

In November 2016 «AM» Law Firm took the case of the teachers and lodged an application before the Shirak District Court of First Instance. It was argued in the application that the Shirak State Univversity has been the legal successor of “The Gyumri School of Culture” SNCO, according to the RA Government decree N 1418-Ն, and thus he has had the obligation to pay the teachers’ salaries.

Immediately after the very first court hearing the defendant expressed willingness to negotiate and enter into settlement agreement. By the date of the second hearing “The Gyumri School of Culture” SNCO has performed its obligations towards all the teachers by recovering the unpaid salaries, as well as the penalty and the interests for each day of the payment delay.

Another day of free legal advice in Gyumri Branch

«AM» Law Firm continued to provide free legal advice to the residents of Gyumri in the firm’s Gyumri Branch.

The open doors day will be hold on 16 March at 10.00-18.00, at Garegin Nzhdeh 1/5, Gyumri.

During the free legal consultation you can get clarifications for your legal problems, as well as relating to issues in the spheres of criminal, civil and administrative laws. Please call (0312) 3-03-26 for pre-registration.

Senior legal adviser and advocate of our company, Hovhannes Khudoyan, gives clarifications on Tsayg TV about the issues in the system of CILMV (the compulsory insurance against liability arising from the use of motor vehicles)

Senior legal adviser and advocate of «AM» Law Firm, Hovannes Khudoyan, gives an interview to Gyumri’s Tsayg TV about the public discontent with the system of CILMV and the possibilities of its amendments, as well as questions regarding other types of insurance.

A wrongly convicted woman is acquitted due to the new victory of the «AM» Law Firm

A woman charged with illegal entry into another person’s apartment turned to our company, asking for protection during her criminal case’s hearing at the court.

At the moment of trusting the case to the «AM» Law Firm our client was charged with illegal entry into another person’s apartment against his/her will, and the Court of First Instance of Arabkir and Qanaqer-Zeytun Communities of Yerevan had found the woman guilty under article 147(1) of Criminal Code. The team of «AM» Law Firm has appealed to the Appellate Court, and the latter overturned the First Instance Court’s sentence for the lack of elements of the crime (corpus delicti) and acquitted our client.

Thus, due to the right strategy, strong legal argumentations, as well as the proper work of our lawyers another wrongly convicted person is acquitted, and the company won another case.

«AM» Law Firm has been contracted by the Peace Corps to provide legal services

One of the most respected US agencies in Armenia, the Peace Corps, has retained «AM» Law Firm to provide a legal opinion on Armenian criminal law and procedures. Specifically, «AM» Law Firm is preparing a general report on rights and obligations of main participants of criminal procedure, stages of the process and also on nature of crimes defined by local criminal code. 

It shall be noted, that Peace Corps is a US government agency founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and since that time over 225,000 Volunteers have served in more than 140 countries. Peace Corps in Armenia was established in 1992, and is celebrating 25 years of service with current projects in English education and community youth development.  During their service in Armenia, Volunteers learn to speak Armenian, live with local families, and work closely with Armenian counterparts. 

Marat Antonyan, legal adviser of «AM» Law Firm clarifies the issues related to the ″Institute of authorized economic operator″ executable within the frameworks of EEU

Marat Antonyan, legal adviser of «AM» Law Firm clarifies what is an ″ Institute of authorized economic operator″ executable within the frameworks of EEU and  what advantages it has.

The legal problems of many healthcare providers of the region of Shirak hereinafter will be regulated by the branch of Gyumri of “AM” Law Firm.

Within the framework of social responsibility policy “AM” Law Firm implements a new initiative aimed to solution of the legal problems of healthcare providers and to protection of their rights free of charge.

The employees of our partner ″Mother and child health center″ of Akhuryan have an opportunity to apply by all their legal issues to the branch of Gyumri of “AM” Law Firm.

The free services provided by our professional team will include family law, contract law, property and any other relations, as well as the issues related to the activity of state bodies.

Narine Sargsyan, Chief legal adviser, advocate of «AM» Law Firm gives clarifications on the broadcast of TV company “Tsayg” of Gyumri

Narine Sargsyan, Chief legal adviser, advocate of «AM» Law Firm gives clarifications on the broadcast of TV company “Tsayg” of Gyumri on the issues related to the essential terms of employment contract, as well as the characteristics of the termination of employment contract by Employer’s initiative.

The legal adviser of «AM» Law Firm clarifies the issues related to libel, to payment of compensation and publicly apologizing for defamation.

By judicial case Hovhannes Margaryan against the party “Gyumretsu Vogi” the legal adviser of «AM» Law Firm clarifies the issues related to libel, payment of compensation and publicly apologizing for defamation.

«AM» Law Firm will from now on represent the interests of «Beeline» in particularly complicated labor disputes

Participating to the tender, announced  by  «ArmenTel» CJSC    for the election of a partner law firm for legal services, «AM» Law Firm has been recognized the winner according to the raiting assessment criterias.

Being leading law firm in the Armenian market, which provides services in all fields of law, our company gives an opportunity to the organizations, permanently receiving our services, as well as new clients, to get high-quality advocate services also in cases of particular complexity.

Beeline, one of three biggest operators, providing telecommunication services in Armenia is from now on our faithful partner, the interests of which in  particularly complex  labor disputes  will be represented by our advocates in all judicatures.

New opportunity for students of Shirak State University

From now on the best students of  Shirak State University will be trained in «Firm AM» Law Gyumri office. Future lawyers will  gain practical knowledge and skills, as well as clarification of questions, requiring specific specialization.

Implementation of the new project  initiated by the law firm and the university provides also realization of  mutually interesting legal and educational events, organization of scientific conferences, seminars, consultations.

Thus, insuring continuity of successful cooperation with leading universities and other educational institutions «AM» Law Firm initiates another project, which this time will be implemented through potential of Gyumri branch of our firm insuring new opportunities of acquisition of professional experience for students of Shirak State University.

First day of open doors at Gyumri branch in 2017

The free legal consultation  to the residents of  Gyumri continues  at the “AM”  Law Firm Gyumri of  branch.

During free consultation you may receive clarifications related to your problems in the frames of  issues related to the civil and administrative, as well as criminal law. 

The first open doors  day of this year  will take place on 20 October, at 10:00-18:00m in the address: Gyumri, G. Nzhdeh 1/5.

For pre-registration, please call by the following number: (0312) 3-03-26.

«AM» Law Firm will pay 1000 drams, levied for army, instead of its employees

Starting from  January of 2017 each worker of service provider individual should make a donation of 1000 AMD  as a mandatory stamp fee. This  requirement has been provided by RA law «On compensation of damages caused to the  life or health of servicemen during the protection of Republic of Armenia

» and will act starting from this month.

Valuing the obligation of society to support Armenian army in every way, simultaneously, wishing to compensate by another way absolute devotion of its employees and service providers, «AM» Law Firm decided to pay this mandatory stamp fee, provided by law, at the expense of the company.

«АM» debt collection team received back millions of drams for its clients

Collection of 110.000.000 AMD was entrusted to the debt collection service, acting in «АM» Law Firm since 2016.

Without long judicial procedures, without spending much time and big finances several construction, insurance credit, touring and other companies with help of this new service of «АM» could return a significant part of their amounts due. According to the general average statistics for from 60% to 90% of debts were possible to receive back for different clients. Thus, during few months this service could receive back millions of drams for its clients.

In tense economic situation obviously increased the number of individuals and companies, defaulting or delaying financial obligations. At the same time, many of our clients do not wish to flagrantly stop business and human relations with their partners, who violated the terms of payments. Our debt collection team managed to find effective and profitable solutions through negotiation, consulting, pre-trial and  other legal instruments. Only in the case of the most malicious debtors when all other reasonable methods of collecting money were exhausted «АM» team was obliged to confiscate the money judicially, putting additional financial burden on people escaping from payment of their debts in every way.

New expansion: AM Law Firm will provide its services also in Cyprus

Those clients of «AM» Law Firm, who would like to start a business activity in Cyprus, an offshore zone, that offers best tax conditions, from now on will be provided with complex of high-quality legal and accounting services. Well qualified and experienced specialists of «AM» Law Firm and «DADLAW» will consult on advantages and privileges of conducting business in Cyprus prior to the registration of a company. If needed, our teams will organize the process of registration of a new company in Cyprus, as well as will provide further legal and accounting services for the newly regestered company. Hence, expanding the frame and the geography of its services, «AM» Law Firm will start providing legal support also in Cyprus.

The Managing Partner of «AM» Law Firm Mr. Grigor Minasyan and advocate Ms. Narine Sargsyan hosted at the headquarters of the «AM» law firm Mr. Demetrios Demetriades,  the founder of the leading law firm in Cyprus, «DADLAW» company. During the meeting, the managers of two law firms discussed the possibility of provision of complex high-quality services to the Armenian investors and Armenian companies, that act in diverse areas and would be interested to investment in Cyprus. 

Expanding the services of «AM» Law Firm  to Cyprus is yet another step foward, aiming at the development of international business cooperation for the Armenian companies.

Day of open doors at Gyumri branch on family law, on issues related to labor law and labor disputes.

The free legal consultation to the residents of Shirak region  continues at the branch of  Gyumri of “AM” Law Firm.

Highlighting the protection of  the rights and  interests of  employees  and employers  in  labor  relations and  labor disputes, the following day of  free monthly  legal consultations  organized in branch "AM" Law Firm  will provide consultation and explanations  on problems  related to the labor law, in particular  the  reasons  and order of  termination of the employment contract, incapacity cases, overtime work, labor disputes.

The following  day of open doors  will take place on 20 October, at 10:00-18:00m in the address: Gyumri, G. Nzhdeh 1/5.

For pre-registration , please call by the following number: (0312) 3-03-26.