Legal Due Diligence in Kazakhstan

Corporate & Title

State registration documents, articles of association, founding documents, shareholder register, participatory interest title, history of share transfers, powers of attorney, and authorised signatory confirmations. Verification of absence of encumbrances, pledges, or restrictions on participatory interests through the available state registers.

Regulatory Licences & Permits

Verification of all licences and permits required for the target's activities — subsoil use contracts, environmental permits, construction licences, pharmaceutical licences, financial services licences, and sector-specific regulatory approvals. Assessment of compliance status and risk of licence revocation or condition breach.

Real Property & Assets

Title to real property through the State Registry of Real Property Rights — title documents, register extracts, encumbrances, mortgages, easements, and land use rights. For industrial assets — review of title to equipment, vehicles, and movable property. Assessment of any environmental liabilities or remediation obligations attached to real assets.

Material Contracts

Review of key commercial agreements — customer contracts, supplier agreements, lease agreements, loan agreements, and intercompany arrangements. Assessment of change of control provisions, assignment restrictions, termination rights, and penalties that may be triggered by the proposed transaction.

Litigation & Disputes

Search of Kazakhstani court databases for pending and concluded litigation involving the target — economic court, administrative court, and criminal proceedings. Review of outstanding enforcement proceedings and unpaid judgments. Assessment of contingent liabilities from disclosed and undisclosed disputes.

Employment

Review of employment contracts, collective agreements, HR policies, and compliance with the Kazakhstan Labour Code. Assessment of foreign worker quota and permit compliance, work permit validity, and pending employment disputes. Identification of golden parachute provisions triggered by change of control.

Full due diligence report

Comprehensive review of all due diligence categories — suitable for M&A transactions, significant investments, and lending decisions. Produced in English. Includes an executive summary, detailed findings by category, risk matrix, and recommended transaction protections (warranties, indemnities, conditions precedent, and escrow arrangements).

Red flag report

Focused report identifying material risks only — suitable for preliminary investment decisions, pre-LOI assessments, and time-sensitive transactions. Produced in English. Highlights only deal-critical issues, recommended for early-stage due diligence before full commitment.

Vendor due diligence

Due diligence report prepared by the seller's counsel for disclosure to potential buyers — accelerates the sale process and reduces information asymmetry. Bond Stone prepares vendor due diligence reports for Kazakhstani sellers in competitive sale processes and privatisation transactions.