Askhad is an experienced professional with years of experience in Central Asia and the US. He has significant experience in the corporate, investment, finance, commercial and subsoil sectors under both common and civil law legal systems. In recent years, Askhad has worked in leading legal roles in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), a pioneering international financial hub with a framework based on the laws of England and Wales.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Acting as a leading legal counsel in the People’s IPO project — IPO of the largest Kazakhstan oil transportation company.
Represented the government entities in major oil and gas projects, including the settlement of arbitration disputes and revision of production sharing agreements in relation to the largest oil fields in Kazakhstan.
Represented the respondents in international arbitration proceedings with international investors, including disputes in the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Acting as a leading legal counsel in the People’s IPO project — IPO of the largest Kazakhstan oil transportation company.
Represented the government entities in major oil and gas projects, including the settlement of arbitration disputes and revision of production sharing agreements in relation to the largest oil fields in Kazakhstan.
Represented the respondents in international arbitration proceedings with international investors, including disputes in the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Was a member of the working group in the Government and the Parliament of Kazakhstan on the amendments and development of various laws, including Civil Code, Tax Code, Subsoil Use Code, Entrepreneurial Code and other laws.
Structuring of the largest investment projects in energy, mining and renewables, being the member of investment team Task Force between AIFC and Kazakh Invest national investment authority.
Acted as a sub-counsel of EBRD in connection with the amendment of certain laws of Kazakhstan concerning the transition of Kazakhstan to “green economy” and sustainable use of nature resources.
Provided the full range of legal services from initial investment support, production construction, tax, employment and immigration issues to full scope support for complex M&A and joint venture transactions in Kazakhstan and abroad.
Represented the interests of local and foreign, private and public companies in Central Asia, working across all sectors of the economy.
Headed the legal due diligence of the activities of mining, metallurgical, oil & gas, logistics, construction companies in various M&A and privatization transactions.
As the Chief Legal Officer of the AIFC subsidiary led the legal advising, guidance, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in AIFC, on external side helping the investors to set up their businesses in AIFC ecosystem related financial market services, deal structuring, digital assets, project finance, private equity and funds.
Credentials
Education
Education
- Georgetown University, 2008, Master of Laws
- Kazakhstan Humanitarian and Law University, 1999, Bachelor of International Law
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Kazakhstan