AML, Privacy, Sanctions Compliance

Александр Кукуев
■ KEY CONTACT

Ratmir Proskurnov

Partner, Head of International Legal Practice
Александр Кукуев
■ KEY CONTACT

Valeria Doskovskikh

Associate

  • description

    UCL AML, Privacy & Sanctions Compliance practice provides comprehensive support to businesses in managing regulatory, sanctions and data-protection risks across multiple jurisdictions. The team develops and implements corporate compliance systems, conducts sanctions and AML risk assessments, handles interactions with global regulators, and assists with asset unblocking matters. It also advises on GDPR, PDPL and cross-border data protection requirements, ensuring robust privacy frameworks for international groups. With a presence in different jurisdictions, the practice delivers fast, coordinated compliance solutions worldwide.

  • experience

    Successful unblocking of frozen assets in the UAE

    The team defended a client’s interests in the UAE in connection with the unlawful blocking of banking assets triggered by the application of sanctions restrictions, developing a strategy for interaction with the bank and the regulator that made it possible to confirm the lawfulness of the client’s transactions and secure the release of funds without litigation.

    Cross-border data protection and regulator engagement

    The lawyers have advised on personal data protection within international holding structures, helped to build engagement with regulators in different countries, and ensured compliance with the GDPR and local data protection laws.

    Sanctions compliance checks and internal investigations

    The team has been involved in projects to verify clients and counterparties for compliance with US and EU sanctions regimes, conducted internal investigations within groups subject to financial monitoring, and supported the expansion of major Russian retailers into new jurisdictions from a privacy perspective.

  • list of services

    • Development and implementation of corporate AML/sanctions compliance systems, including KYC/CDD/EDD, sanctions monitoring and counterparty screening
    • Assessment of sanctions risks in international transactions and support for market entry into new jurisdictions
    • Representation before regulators (CBUAE, FCA, BaFin, FinCEN, Rosfinmonitoring, etc.) and preparation of response strategies
    • Protection in cases of frozen bank assets and support in unfreezing funds
    • Implementation of personal data protection mechanisms
    • Development and updating of internal data protection policies and procedures, including for international holding structures
    • Advising on the processing and cross-border transfer of personal data and supporting companies’ entry into new jurisdictions from a privacy perspective
    • Interaction with data protection authorities and ensuring compliance with GDPR and local data protection laws
    • Obtaining local legal opinions and coordinating compliance in more than 40 jurisdictions
    • Harmonisation of counterparty screening procedures and KYC/AML approaches across different countries
    • Designing and maintaining compliance systems that incorporate FATF recommendations, OFAC/EU regimes, and the requirements of HM Treasury, DFSA, ADGM, DIFC and local laws