Member Profile

Spectrum has been focused, since its foundation, on providing the best possible legal advice and service to its clients. The firm has firmly positioned itself among leading national law firms and has been distinct in dedication to be effective and efficient in meeting client expectations and providing quality services. It offers experience and expertise in a wide spectrum of areas and legal disciplines representing clients ranging from individuals to international institutions and from local companies to major multinationals doing business in Azerbaijan and government agencies.

Spectrum is managed by Kanan Safarli, who has been active in legal services market in Azerbaijan since it acquired independence. He participated in many international business projects rendering high quality professional services first as a sole entrepreneur, then as associate with Schultze Law offices (1995-1997) and Ledingham Chalmers (1997-2004) and thereafter as in-house counsel in a British-Azerbaijani joint venture operating an onshore oil-field and then in company implementing a cement factory development project. In 2003 he established his own practice by way of formation of Spectrum.

Spectrum’s practice area covers the entire spectrum of legal services involving Azerbaijani and International law. The firm’s practice encompasses all aspects of Azerbaijani law and it possesses proven experience in assisting foreign investors on their business activities in Azerbaijan. The firm’s experience is based on an in-depth understanding of the legal system of Azerbaijan, local business environment and includes corporate law, commercial law, contracts, conflict of laws (international private law) and international public law, administrative law, labour law, criminal law, administrative and legal procedures.

In addition to general legal advice, Spectrum has to offer to its clients vast experience in provision of effective dispute settlement and litigation services both in the courts and state bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan and foreign arbitration institutions.

Spectrum has firmly positioned itself as distinct in exceeding client expectations and excellence in service. It offers experience and expertise throughout entire spectrum of legal disciplines and service areas representing clients ranging from individuals to international institutions and from local companies to major multinationals doing business in Azerbaijan and government agencies.

In addition to general legal advice, Spectrum has to offer to its clients vast experience in provision of effective dispute settlement and litigation services both before the courts and state bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan and foreign arbitration institutions.

Spectrum’s expertise includes advising and representing private and public companies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, investment funds and entrepreneurs in various business sectors and extensive involvement in significant transactions in the oil and gas, banking and finance, telecommunications and other services sectors, consulting various international lenders and project borrowers on loan and security agreements in various projects, such as, property development, oil site development, pipeline construction. Spectrum has extended expertise in secured transactions, creation and enforcement of pledges/mortgages and hypothecates, in guarantee and suretyship agreements; advising multinational investment funds on legal framework for investment, including, inter alia, securities market of Azerbaijan, in particular, on securities issued in connection with privatization (options and vouchers), nominal ownership and custody of securities and issuance, placement and circulation thereof; advising various banks and finance institutions on complex issues connected with credit advancing to local banks; conducting due diligence investigations of the major companies, including banks and companies operating in the oil sector and other industry operators and preparing reports thereon; providing advice on general commercial and corporate law.

With more than 30 years of experience, Spectrum provides award-winning service to its clients. Spectrum’s expert law specialists will research and bring about the most effective opportunities ensuring their clients the successful outcome they deserve.

The particular strengths of the firm include foreign investment, natural resources, construction, employment, trade regulations, taxation and finance. The firm also has substantial expertise in such areas as: banking, currency regulations, securities, telecommunications, privatisation, competition law, transport (road, railroad, maritime and aviation), insurance, intellectual property, real estate and private law matters. Vast expertise has been gained in such a delicate in Azerbaijan sphere as negotiation and dealing with authorities.

The working languages are English, Turkish, Russian and Azerbaijani.

Spectrum client List

Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Renaissance Construction

Caspian Energy Group

PESECo

KCA Deutag

Arti Dsign and Construction

MQS LLC

Headstart International

Scon International

Kaymu

Beteco

Demirkose

Norm LLC

Below list includes clients whom Kanan Safarli (not acting on behalf of SPECTRUM but on behalf of other companies) advised/rendered services to hroughout his career path:

Shirvan Oil Operating Company/JV, Ramco, Muradhanli Operating Company, Azerbaijan International Operating Company/BP Azerbaijan, US Eximbank, Otis Lift, British Mediterranian Airlines, Open Society Institute, McDonald's, Chevron Azerbaijan Limited, North Absheron Operating Company, Wartsila, Амоcо North Absheron Petroleum Limited, Glaxo Smith Kline, Maersk, Turkiye Petrolleri, Nobel Oil, , Salyan Oil Limited (Delta Hess), Synergy Group, Total Waste Management, AA Services, , Accenture, Petrofac, Can Offshore, American International Health Alliance, Caspian Geophysical, Akvamilyo Caspian, Andrews Hydrographics, Azercell, B.U.E. Caspian, CCC, British Bank of the Middle East, Champion Technologies Russia and Caspian BV, GrandPrideco, CorrOcean, EMM Corporation Limited, Hydrasun, Environment and Resource Technology Ltd., Garanty Leasing, Environ, Consafe (Caspian) Limited, Rider Hunt, Briggs Marine Environmental Services Limited, IT Group Infrastructure & Environmental Ltd., QED International, Karasu Operating Company, Weatherford, PCH Offshore, Londongate, Sulzer Markets and Technology, Oceanfix, Petroplan, RGIT Montrose, Sparrows Offshore Services Limited, Rigblast, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Score(Europe), Swire Pacific Offshore (Caspian)

Chief Legal Counsel/CEO - Spectrum Law firm - Baku, Azerbaijan - February 2015 – Present

Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board (Deputy CEO) - Synergy Group - Baku, Azerbaijan - September 2012 - February 2015

Legal and HR Manager - Synergy Group - Baku, Azerbaijan - March 2011 - September 2012

Senior Legal Counsel - Norm LLC - Baku, Azerbaijan - January 2009 – March 2011

Senior Legal Counsel - Nobel Oil - Baku, Azerbaijan - July - December 2008

Legal and HR Manager - Shirvan Oil Operating Company / Shirvan Oil JV - Baku, Azerbaijan - March 2005 – July, 2008

Associate - Ledingham Chalmers - Baku, Azerbaijan - July 1998 – March 2005

Associate - Schulze Law Offices - Baku, Azerbaijan - August 1997 - July 1998

Lawyer - Sole entrepreneur - Baku, Azerbaijan - July 1994 – July 1997

Professor in law - Baku State University - Baku, Azerbaijan - August 1994-Present

1977 - 1982 Kiyev State University Kiyev, Ukraine

Qualification:

- Lawyer

- İnterpreter/translator of English

- University Degree in Law

- Certificate of Qualification

- "Sovereignty and the Borders of the Reserved Internal Competence", Materials of the Annual Scientific Conference of Researchers of the Baku State University, Baku State University Press, 1995.

- "About the History of the Establishment of UN", Scientific Journal of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, 1995.

- "The Nature and Forms of Responsibility of Neutral States", "Ganun" ("Law") Magazine, 1997.

- "Legal Nature of Property in International Public Law", Materials of the Annual Scientific Conference of Researchers of the Baku State University, Baku State University Press, 1997.

- "Programme of Teaching of International Economic Law", Baku State University, 1997.

- "Legal Regime of Azerbaijan", Simon's Law Directory, 1999.

- "Legal Regime of Azerbaijan", Simon's Law Directory, 2000.

- "Purchasing Law in Azerbaijan", www.purchasingsupersite.com, 2000.

- "Purchasing Law in Azerbaijan", www.purchasingsupersite.com, 2001.

- “The General Description of the Situation with the Human Rights Protection in the Republic of Azerbaijan and Perspectives of Improvement”. Raul Wallenberq Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. Lund University, Lund, Sweden. 2002, published in the framework of the Reginal Advanced Training Programme on Human Rights.

- "Settlement of Disputes Within the World Trade Organisation and Ensuring Implementation of the Multilateral Trade Rules", Materials of the Annual Scientific Conference of Researchers of the Baku State University, Baku State University Press, 2003.

- "Settlement of International Disputes Under the Law of Azerbaijan", Azerbaijan Journal of Law, Series, No. 2, 2003

- Contributed to the World Bank Publication “Doing Buziness in 2004: Understanding Regulation” by way of preparation and submission of analitical information related to the legal regulation in Azerbaijan, Co-publication of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation and Oxford University Press, 2004

- Contributed to the World Bank Publication “Doing Buziness in 2005: Removing Obstacles to Growth” by way of preparation and submission of analitical information related to the legal regulation in Azerbaijan, Co-publication of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation and Oxford University Press, 2005.

- “Some features of the World Trade Organisation as the institutional basis of International Trade” in the Journal of International Law and Problems of Integration”, 2006, 2nd edition, Baku State University Press, 2007.

- “Legal Regulation of Trade in Agriculture within the WTO”. Journal of International Law and Problems of Integration”, 2008, 1st edition, Baku State University Press, 2008.

- “Technical Barriers to Trade under WTO Law”. Journal of International Law and Problems of Integration”, 2008, 3rd edition, Baku State University Press, 2009.

- “Preferential Trade and WTO Law”. Journal of International Law and Problems of Integration”, 2010, 5th edition, Baku State University Press, 2010.