Zhaik Petroleum Ltd — gas-chemical complex
Legal review of documentation for a methanol gas-chemical complex, including an opinion on a PRC counterparty in connection with financing by the Industrial Development Fund.
ASTANA · ALMATY · SINCE 2005
Linkage & Mind law firm
A full-service law firm advising businesses, investors and financial institutions — from day-to-day legal matters to complex projects and transactions.
For more than 20 years, our lawyers have worked at the intersection of law, business and strategy. We combine legal precision with a commercial mindset, helping clients not only assess risk but move projects forward.
21years in the market
9core practices
400+projects delivered
US$11+ bndisclosed project value
20+jurisdictions
PRACTICES
Practices & Experience
01Corporate & M&A
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We advise on shareholder and participant relations, option arrangements, corporate governance, joint ventures, key project agreements, commercial transactions and M&A. Our experience, creativity and commercial approach enable us to develop practical solutions for complex corporate matters.
Selected experience
- Magnum E-commerce Kazakhstan — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- Caustic JSC — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- Kazakhstan Mortgage Company — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- Karaganda Complex Alloys Plant — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- QazTehna — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- Tau-Ken Samruk — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- Shearman & Sterling — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
- METKA EGN — Corporate and transactional advice, including due diligence, structuring, corporate documentation and transaction support.
02Project Finance
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We approach financing transactions with a strong focus on managing client risk. Linkage & Mind advises on infrastructure, industrial, energy and investment financings, including project and finance documents, security packages, legal opinions and foreign-law aspects.
Selected experience
- Zhaik Petroleum Ltd — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Qarmet JSC — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Almaty Power Plants (AlES) — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Air Universe — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Mineral Product International — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Qaragandy Power Silicon — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Altynalmas Reagents — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
- Mineral Product International — Legal support for project financing, including project documentation, counterparties, security and financing-related legal analysis.
03Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
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We represent clients at all stages of proceedings before Kazakhstan courts and arbitral tribunals and provide Kazakhstan-law opinions for international arbitration. We also coordinate recognition and enforcement matters outside Kazakhstan through our professional network.
Selected experience
- Shardara HPP — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- Elbit Systems — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- BASF — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- KazTurboRemont — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- British American Tobacco — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- Yug Oil Pro — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- Tengri Holdings Singapore — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
- Kazphosphate — Representation and strategic advice in a significant commercial dispute, arbitration or enforcement matter.
04Contracts & Commercial
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We support day-to-day and project-based commercial contracting, including EPC and construction contracts, supply, services, lease and leasing arrangements, joint ventures and complex multi-party agreements. Our focus is clear contractual architecture, sensible risk allocation and enforceability.
Selected experience
- Ekibastuz GRES-1 — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- Shardara HPP — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- KazStroyService — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- AAEngineering Group — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- Shearman & Sterling — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- Bakaf Engineering — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- Sumitomo — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
- Banque Cantonale Vaudoise — Contract drafting, review and negotiation for a major commercial, EPC, construction, supply or project arrangement.
05Licensing, Permits & Regulatory
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We help clients navigate regulated sectors and structure their activities in line with Kazakhstan law. Our work covers licensing and permits, regulatory approvals, SEZ and AIFC regimes, business launches and reorganisations, and engagement with public authorities.
Selected experience
- Almaty Power Plants (AlES) — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- Mineral Product International — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- Caustic JSC — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- Apina Export — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- IPSEN — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- Toshiba Medical Systems — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- METKA EGN — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
- GSK — Regulatory advice covering licensing, permits, AIFC/SEZ matters and interaction with relevant authorities.
06Tax & Customs
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We advise on tax and customs implications of operations and transactions, international taxation, double-tax treaties, currency regulation and customs matters. We also assist with tax-risk assessment, transaction structuring, audits and disputes.
Selected experience
- COFCO International — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- Shearman & Sterling — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- Atlas Copco — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- Air Arabia — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- LVMH P&C Kazakhstan — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- Access Logistics FZE — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- Comptoirs & Associés — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
- Ecolab-Nalco — Advice on tax, customs, treaty or related regulatory matters in connection with the client’s operations or transaction.
07Subsoil Use
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We advise mining, metals and oil & gas projects across key legal stages: asset and equity transactions, due diligence of subsoil-use rights, project and commercial contracts, financing, regulatory matters and disputes, including cross-border coordination where required.
Selected experience
- Zhaik Petroleum Ltd — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- Qarmet JSC — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- Qaragandy Power Silicon — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- Tau-Ken Samruk — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- Shearman & Sterling — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- AAEngineering Group — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- Sumitomo — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
- GENOVA Teknoloji — Legal advice on a mining, metals or subsoil-use project, including rights, due diligence, contracts, financing or regulatory matters.
08Employment
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We advise employers on the full range of employment matters, from hiring and internal policies to changes in employment terms, termination and disputes. Our work includes employment agreements, internal acts, liability, compensation, HR due diligence and employment aspects of corporate changes.
Selected experience
- Housing Construction Savings Bank of Kazakhstan — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- Epiroc Central Asia — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- Atlas Copco — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- Air Arabia — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- LVMH P&C Kazakhstan — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- Gedeon Richter — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- Intercomp — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
- Kapsch TrafficCom — Employment-law advice, documentation review or representation in an employment-related matter.
09PPP & Government Relations
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Public-private partnerships sit at the intersection of law, economics and public regulation. Our lawyers advise on PPP and infrastructure structuring, interaction with public authorities and national companies, privatisation, investment mechanisms and development-institution projects.
Selected experience
- Almaty Power Plants (AlES) — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- Altynalmas Reagents — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- Mineral Product International — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- Kazakhstan Mortgage Company — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- Makinsk Poultry Farm — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- National Scientific Medical Centre — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- Astana Akimat — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
- Karaganda Complex Alloys Plant — Legal support for an infrastructure, privatisation or public-sector project involving state bodies or development institutions.
BUSINESS SERVICES
How we can help
Our work is not limited to major transactions and investment projects. We also support day-to-day legal needs — from company registration and bank accounts to contracts, licences, disputes and ongoing business support.
01
Corporate & M&A
- Company incorporation
- Corporate reorganisations
- Holding structures
- Structuring shareholder and participant relationships
- Business acquisitions and disposals
- Business restructurings
- Corporate disputes
02
AIFC
- AIFC company registration
- Transactions governed by AIFC law
- AIFC licensing
- Post-registration services
- Ongoing AIFC legal support
- Contract reviews for compliance with AIFC law
- Legal opinions
- Redomiciliation to the AIFC
03
Astana Hub
- Astana Hub admission
- Eligibility analysis, business-model advice and compliance review
- Contract review against permitted activities
- Advice on Astana Hub incentives and their application
- Turnkey preparation of business plan, financial model, contracts and application package
- Outsourced compliance support to help preserve Astana Hub status and incentives
04
Banking & registration services
- Opening bank accounts for residents and non-residents
- Obtaining an Individual Identification Number (IIN)
- Obtaining a Business Identification Number (BIN)
05
Project finance
- Bank-led project finance transactions
- Investor-backed financing transactions
06
Commercial & contract law
- Drafting and negotiating contracts
- Legal support for commercial transactions
07
Licences & permits
- Obtaining licences
- Obtaining permits
- Special Economic Zone participant status
08
Subsoil use
- Legal support for subsoil-use projects
- Legal support for extraction projects
09
Tax & customs
- Tax incentives and preferences
- Customs matters
- Foreign-exchange matters
10
Dispute resolution & arbitration
- Representation before courts
- Representation in international arbitration
- Pre-trial dispute resolution
- Mediation
- Enforcement proceedings
11
PPP & government relations
- Public-private partnership projects
- Regulatory matters
12
Personal data
- Review of documents for compliance with personal-data legislation
14
Insolvency & debt restructuring
- Representation of creditors in insolvency proceedings
- Voluntary liquidation / insolvency procedures
- Representation at creditors’ meetings
15
Real estate
- Legal due diligence of real-estate assets
- State registration of real-estate rights and transactions
- Legal support for real-estate transactions
16
Construction
- Full legal support for construction projects
- Drafting and review of construction contracts, including EPC contracts
CLIENTS
International and Kazakhstan businesses
Linkage & Mind advises multinational corporations, national companies, financial institutions, investors and major private businesses.
VINCI CONSTRUCTIONSAMRUK-ENERGYPETROKAZAKHSTAN OIL PRODUCTSATLAS COPCO
UNITED CHEMICAL COMPANYPTT EXPLORATION & PRODUCTIONELBIT SYSTEMSFREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
TYPSASUMITOMO CORPORATIONCHINA DEVELOPMENT BANKMETKA
ALLUR GROUPSTRABAG AGEKIBASTUZ GRESALMATY POWER PLANTS JSC
URBASOLARKELLER HOLDINGJAN DE NULKAZAKHTELECOM
RED BULLALSIM ALARKOCAUSTIC JSCALTYNALMAS REAGENTS
SILK ROAD ELECTRONICSMINERAL PRODUCT INTERNATIONALZHAIK PETROLEUMMAGNUM E-COMMERCE
RG GOLDSHARDARA HPPMAKINSK POULTRY FARMKAZSTROYSERVICE
COFCO INTERNATIONAL
FIRM PARTNERS
Linkage & Mind Partners
More than 25 years of practical experience advising on investment projects, corporate transactions and financing. Madina focuses on major investment projects, M&A, state-related projects and matters involving international investors.
Selected experience
- Almaty Power Plants (AlES) — comprehensive legal support for the approximately US$546 million CHP-3 modernisation project in Almaty, including EPC, finance documentation and regulatory matters.
- Caustic JSC — advised on the sale of an 80% interest in a project company to a strategic investor from Hong Kong in connection with Development Bank of Kazakhstan financing.
- Samruk-Energy — privatisation of five subsidiaries.
- Vinci Construction — infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan.
- PetroKazakhstan Oil Products — Development Bank of Kazakhstan financing.
- Shardara HPP — €75 million EBRD-financed modernisation, including EPC and corporate matters.
- Kazatomprom — acquisition of mining and processing assets.
More than 20 years of practical experience. Yerzhan focuses on corporate law, M&A, subsoil use and complex commercial disputes, advising international and Kazakhstan companies on corporate, investment and contentious matters.
Selected experience
- Elbit Systems — represented an investor in rehabilitation proceedings involving creditor claims exceeding US$20 million.
- BASF — represented the client in a debt and penalty recovery dispute exceeding US$1.1 million.
- Tau-Ken Samruk — advised on the sale of an interest in a subsidiary holding tungsten subsoil-use rights.
- Shearman & Sterling — due diligence of licences, a PSA and joint development arrangements in a subsoil-use M&A transaction.
- China Development Bank — US$1.5 billion project financing for Kazakhmys–Aktogay.
- Samruk-Energy — Balkhash Thermal Power Plant project.
- Elbit Systems, Berlin-Chemie, Novargi and Strabag — commercial and corporate disputes.
- Chinese investor — Kazakhstan International Arbitration dispute of approximately US$6 million.
Alibek focuses on corporate projects, dispute resolution and public-private partnerships. He advises businesses on corporate and operational matters, develops civil-litigation strategies and represents clients before courts and arbitral tribunals. He is also actively involved in PPP and government-relations projects.
Selected experience
- Major international agri-technology company — pre-trial settlement of a KZT 245.7 million dispute (approximately €427,600).
- International IT company — pre-trial recovery of KZT 70.7 million (approximately €123,100).
- International technology company — legal audit of its Kazakhstan office and a red-flag report covering trade, data protection, licensing, fintech, currency control and competition matters.
- Major Kazakhstan supermarket chain — advised on a cross-border acquisition of the entire retail network in Kazakhstan.
- Leading Chinese law firm — prepared a legal study on Kazakhstan’s subsoil-use framework.
- Major real-estate owner in Western Kazakhstan — represented the client in Kazakhstan International Arbitration and recovered €200,000 in damages.
- International mining and shaft-construction company — ongoing advice on projects in Kazakhstan.
- Global biopharmaceutical company — ongoing advice on personal data and pharmacovigilance matters.
PROJECTSPROJECT UPDATES
Qarmet — coke batteries No. 8 and 9
Legal review of project documentation for new coke batteries and a gas-cleaning system, including an opinion on a PRC contractor in connection with Development Bank of Kazakhstan financing.
Ekibastuz GRES-1 — modernisation project audit
Retrospective legal audit of the completed Unit No. 1 modernisation project, including EPC documentation, identified risks and recommendations.
Magnum E-commerce Kazakhstan
Comprehensive legal support for a major Kazakhstan retail network, including group corporate-structure optimisation, retail expansion, contracting and day-to-day advice.
AlES — CHP-3 modernisation in Almaty
Comprehensive legal support for conversion of the plant from coal to gas, including EPC and equipment-supply arrangements, finance documentation and electricity-market regulatory matters.
Ulba-TVS — financing
Annual update of a legal opinion on the status of a PRC non-resident company acting as guarantor for the client’s obligations to Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan.
INSIGHTSINSIGHTS
Incorporation in Astana Hub
Eligibility criteria, tax incentives, priority ICT activities and the application process for Astana Hub participants.
Read in Russian →Incorporation in the AIFC
A practical overview of incorporation options, legal forms, licensing, registration requirements and documentation in the AIFC.
Read in Russian →Opening a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in Kazakhstan
Practical guide to the key steps, documents and post-registration actions for establishing an LLP in Kazakhstan.
Read in Russian →Opening a Kazakhstan Bank Account for a Non-Resident Company
Key steps for obtaining an IIN/BIN, preparing KYC documents and opening a bank account for a foreign company.
Read in Russian →Kazakhstan as a Jurisdiction for Holding Structures
An overview of Kazakhstan and the AIFC as a base for holding structures, including tax, corporate and cross-border considerations.
Read in Russian →Structuring Relations with a Hired CEO
Practical points on powers, controls, reporting, decision-making and conflict prevention in relations with a hired CEO.
Read in Russian →Protecting the Rights of a Majority Participant in a Kazakhstan LLP
Key governance, information, profit-distribution and legal protection mechanisms available to a majority participant.
Read in Russian →Opening a Representative Office in Kazakhstan
A step-by-step guide to registration, bank account opening and employment formalities for a foreign company representative office.
Read in Russian →Protection of Minority Shareholders in Kazakhstan
An overview of minority shareholder rights, common risks and legal mechanisms for protecting corporate interests.
Read in Russian →Compulsory Buyout of an Interest in a Kazakhstan LLP
When compulsory buyout may be available, what constitutes substantial harm and how the court process works.
Read in Russian →Debt Recovery Strategies in Kazakhstan
A practical review of enforcement writs, court orders, simplified proceedings and settlement mechanisms.
Read in Russian →Foreign Investment Protection and International Investment Arbitration in Kazakhstan
An overview of investment protections, treaty mechanisms, ISDS and arbitration options, including the context of Chinese investment.
Read in Russian →
Full-service law firm