Looking for Vekselberg: the US court cannot initiate the case on the claim by L.Lebedev

Leonid Lebedev filed a claim with the New York court last February against the former co-owners of TNK-BP Leonard Blavatnik and Victor Vekselberg. However, the claim has not yet progressed beyond the point of registration of the statement of claim. The process servers are yet to locate V.Vekselberg and to serve the notice upon him. Not less than six times have the servers appeared at his New York addresses, where V.Vekselberg’s offices or apartments are located, but each time they were unable to see him personally, according to the court materials (at the disposal of RBC).

American law stipulates personal service of court summons by handing to the respondent, says alexander Bolomatov, Partner of the Law Firm "YUST", therefore the service at the address of residence or employment is not sufficient. If the respondent spends much time outside the USA, it is there that the summons is to be served, otherwise the proceedings cannot begin, adds he.