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🇪🇸 Impacto de las sanciones de la UE contra Rusia en la ejecución de sentencias y laudos arbitrales
A version of this post is also available in English Introducción La invasión de Ucrania por Rusia desencadenó un extenso régimen de sanciones de la Unión Europea contra personas físicas y jurídicas vinculadas al régimen ruso. Estas medidas restrictivas incluyen la congelación de activos (fondos y recursos económicos) de los sancionados y la prohibición de…
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Mareva Injunction: 50 Years of Freezing Assets
Lee esta entrada en español This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Mareva injunction, a landmark remedy in the common law tradition. Essentially, it is a court order that prohibits the defendant from disposing of their assets during proceedings—preventing them from hiding or transferring them out of the jurisdiction before a judgment is rendered.…
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🇪🇸 Mareva Injunction: 50 años congelando activos
Read this post in English Este año se celebra el 50º aniversario de la Mareva injunction, una figura jurídica clave del derecho anglosajón. Se trata, básicamente, de una orden judicial que prohíbe al demandado disponer de sus bienes durante un proceso, impidiéndole ocultarlos o sacarlos de la jurisdicción antes de que haya sentencia. En términos…
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🇪🇸 Recuperación de activos en casos graves de fraude : Vía penal española vs. mecanismos civiles del common law
Read this post in English Introducción En casos graves de fraude, como el soborno (cohecho), la corrupción, o las insolvencias punibles, la localización, congelación y recuperación de activos ilícitos es crucial para resarcir a las víctimas y desincentivar estas conductas. Tradicionalmente, en jurisdicciones de common law (como Reino Unido o EE.UU.), las víctimas suelen recurrir…
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Criminal or Civil? Spain’s Asset Recovery Advantage in Serious Fraud Cases
Lee esta entrada en español Introduction Asset recovery in cases of bribery and corruption (and other serious fraud cases) often pits criminal law remedies against civil litigation tools. In common law jurisdictions such as England and the United States, practitioners frequently rely on civil asset tracing and recovery mechanisms – for example, freezing injunctions (Mareva…
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How EU Russia Sanctions Affect Enforcing Commercial Judgments and Arbitral Awards
Introduction Russia’s war in Ukraine prompted an unprecedented wave of European Union sanctions, targeting hundreds of Russian individuals, businesses and state entities. These measures – part of the EU’s foreign policy response – go beyond diplomacy and deeply affect private commercial dealings. One significant side effect has emerged in courtrooms and arbitration tribunals: the enforcement…
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Piercing the Sovereign Veil in Spanish Courts: Alter Ego Doctrine in Enforcement against Foreign States
Sovereign Immunity in Spanish Law: Jurisdiction vs Enforcement Under Spanish law, foreign states generally enjoy sovereign immunity, but a crucial distinction is drawn between jurisdictional immunity and enforcement immunity. Jurisdictional immunity means a foreign state cannot be sued in Spanish courts for its sovereign (public) acts (ius imperii) without consent. Spain follows the modern restrictive…
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The Restitution of Art Confiscated During the Spanish Civil War and its Aftermath: A Step Towards Justice
Historical Background: Seizure of Cultural Property The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) led to significant displacements of artwork and cultural property. During the conflict, the authorities established the Committee for the Seizure and Protection of Artistic Heritage (Junta de Incautación y Protección del Patrimonio Artístico) to safeguard important cultural items from destruction or theft. Thousands of…
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The Future of Law Firms: How AI and Demographics Are Reshaping the Industry
The legal profession is undergoing profound transformation, driven, among others, by two powerful forces: the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and significant demographic shifts. These changes are reshaping how legal services are delivered, creating new challenges, and accelerating consolidation within the industry. Law firms that adapt to these dynamics will, in my opinion, emerge as…
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The Transparency Debate: Corporate Secrecy vs. Corporate Publicity
In recent years, the global conversation about corporate secrecy has intensified, driven by data leaks like the Panama Papers and ongoing efforts to expose financial misconduct. At the heart of this debate lies the question: Should information about corporate ownership and finances be made public, or is privacy a fundamental right that needs protection? Advocates…
Hector Sbert 