Russian Federation laws await sweeping changes to prevent the impact of the pandemic

13.05.2020

On 12 May 2020. The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the first reading a draft law № 953580-7 on the introduction of sweeping amendments to Russian legislation for the purpose of sustainable economic development and prevention of the consequences of COVID-19.

In particular, the draft law proposes to oblige lessors of state and municipal property to conclude additional agreements to extend the terms of lease agreements concluded prior to the introduction of a heightened preparedness regime in the territory of the relevant constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2020.

The draft law also expands the list of areas, which shall be covered by the "automatic license" principle. These include, in particular, legal relations regulated by the Labour and Water Codes, the law on heat supply, tourism activities, environmental expertise, etc.

The amendments also provide for measures to support tour operators. In certain cases, the Russian Government will be able to suspend for a fixed period tour operators' obligations to return tourists or other customers the money paid for their tourist products/ For example this suspension will be available in cases where such tourist operators provide their customers with an equivalent tourist product.

In certain cases, the Russian government will also be able to establish the specifics of amending and terminating passenger transportation contracts. Furthermore, the procedure for refunding passenger fares and luggage fees is also covered in the document. Moreover, the government will be granted the right to establish the specifics of cancellation or postponement of a hotel booking or other accommodation.

"In fact, this amendment changes (supplements) the grounds for changing and terminating passenger air carriage contracts which are regulated by the Air Code and the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. It appears that such amendments are made in the interests of carriers and may create risks for persons who purchased tickets before such amendments came into force and before the Russian government took appropriate action. The bill does not establish the period or the moment at which the suggested measures can be applied. A similar amendment has been made in relation to railways, hotel reservations and tourism," said Evgenia Zusman, You & Partners managing partner.

Associate lawyer of You & Partners Victoria Tugolukova highlighted the proposal of the bill to provide the Government of the Russian Federation with the authority to extend the deadline for applicants, right holders or other persons to take actions under the proposed amendments including those related to the payment of patent and other tariffs required for the implementation of legally significant actions by the federal executive authority for intellectual property. "The implementation of this power will allow the applicant to avoid paying higher fees or to re-submit the application in case of missing the registration deadline".

Further details available on Advokatskaya Gazeta.

 

You & Partners Press Service

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