In the wake of the EU’s sanctions against Russia – and Russia’s countermeasures – many commercial relationships have come under significant strain. Contractual performance has, in numerous cases, become impossible, impractical, or economically ruinous, raising urgent questions for dispute resolution and arbitration.

In their recent article, published in the “Zeitschrift für Europäisches Privatrecht” (ZEuP), PARAGON partners Helmut Ortner and Veronika Korom, together with associate Marion Neumann, examine how key European jurisdictions address sanctions through legal concepts such as force majeure, impossibility, frustration, and hardship.

The article explores:

• How arbitral tribunals are approaching sanctions-disrupted performance;
• Comparative insights from major European legal systems;
• The importance of drafting tailored contractual clauses to anticipate sanctions risks.

This timely contribution offers valuable guidance for commercial actors, in-house counsel, and arbitration practitioners – particularly those facing sanctions-related obstacles in performing international contracts.

The full article is available in print and online.