Atras is a law firm in Tehran advising foreign companies and overseas counsel on commercial disputes, debt recovery and business contracts in Iran.
Each engagement has a named lead lawyer, supported by Iranian-qualified lawyers and clear English reporting, so you can assess your options and manage the matter from abroad.
Start with a short outline of the matter and any urgent deadline. We check conflicts and fit before proposing any paid work.
Commercial Disputes
Claims, defence and debt recovery
Tehran-based team
Local representation in Iran
Named lead lawyer
Clear responsibility for your matter
English reporting
Progress, options and next decisions
Commercial disputes are central to our practice. We represent foreign companies in litigation and other contentious matters in Iran, including debt recovery, contract and shareholder disputes, construction matters and enforcement. We also advise on the contracts and business relationships that give rise to those risks.
Atras advises and represents foreign companies in commercial disputes before Iranian courts, including payment and debt recovery claims, contract and shareholder disputes, construction matters and judgment enforcement. We assess the evidence, procedural risks, commercial objectives and practical prospects of recovery, whether your company is bringing or defending a claim.
We draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts in Iran involving supply, distribution, agency, construction and joint venture arrangements. Our disputes experience informs how we address performance, payment, evidence, termination and the consequences of a business relationship breaking down.
We advise foreign companies establishing or managing an Iranian operation, investing, working with a local partner or changing an existing business structure. Our work may include shareholder arrangements, governance, signatory authority and other Iranian-law issues relevant to management decisions.
Protection and commercial use of brands, technology and confidential information, including licensing, assignments and disputes involving an Iranian commercial partner.
Coordinated support for recurring contracts, operational questions and developing disputes, with an agreed scope, responsible lawyer and reporting process.
You can also instruct us on a defined Iranian-law question, document review or written legal opinion without retaining the firm for a wider engagement.
These anonymized summaries show how our law firm in Iran has assisted foreign companies with payment recovery, commercial exits and contractual risk.
CHINA | PROJECT PAYMENT RECOVERY
Client: Chinese engineering and project company
Issue: Outstanding payment arising from work performed under an Iranian project
Our role: Review of the contract, project records, correspondence and payment documentation, development of the recovery strategy and representation
Result
Outstanding payment recovered
EUROPE | DISTRIBUTION
Client: European consumer brand
Issue: Termination of an Iranian distribution relationship involving receivables, remaining inventory, customer information and trademark use
Our role: Contractual and IP review, termination strategy, notices and coordination of post-termination obligations
Result
Distribution relationship ended and outstanding receivables settled
RUSSIA | COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP
Client: Russian company conducting business in Iran
Issue: Contractual responsibilities, payment arrangements and management of the commercial relationship with an Iranian counterparty
Our role: Review of the contractual framework, assessment of Iranian-law risks, restructuring of key obligations and negotiation support
Result
The contractual framework was revised to clarify the parties’ responsibilities, payment arrangements and key obligations.
Client names and identifying details are withheld. Each matter depends on its own facts; these results do not predict the outcome of another case.
Selected comments from international clients and overseas counsel, published with their approval. Identifying details may be limited to protect confidentiality.
“Atras gave us a clear assessment of the dispute and kept the recovery process focused on both the legal position and the practical result. Their team reviewed the documents carefully, explained the available options and kept us informed as the matter progressed.”
Finance Director | Asian industrial company
“We were managing the matter from outside Iran, so clear communication was particularly important to us.
Atras provided structured English updates explaining what had happened, why it mattered and what decisions were required from our side.”
Senior Executive | European company
“Atras worked effectively alongside our legal team on the Iranian-law aspects of the matter. Their advice was practical and well organized, and they were clear about responsibilities, documents, deadlines and the steps that needed to be handled locally in Iran.”
Partner | International law firm
Atras is a law firm in Tehran with lawyers focusing on commercial disputes, contracts and corporate matters. Your matter has a named lead lawyer, supported by colleagues with relevant experience. You know who is responsible and how to reach them.
One lead lawyer with a team behind the work
Atras combines local representation with coordinated case analysis. The aim is to identify risks early and give you a clear basis for decisions about cost, settlement and further action.
Your lead lawyer coordinates the work and communication, so questions and instructions reach the right person.
Where appropriate, the Case Analysis Department reviews the legal position, evidence gaps and available routes before significant steps are taken.
Significant strategic and procedural decisions receive senior input where the matter requires it.
We agree the reporting arrangements for your engagement. Updates explain progress, material risks, next steps and any decision needed from you.
1. Current position and what has changed
2. Options, risks and cost implications
3. Next action and responsible lawyer
4. Decision needed and relevant deadline
Example reporting structure. The format and frequency of reporting are agreed for each engagement
Start with a brief inquiry
You do not need to decide on litigation before contacting us. Outline the matter first; we will explain the proposed next step and any fee before substantive legal work begins.
Send a short summary, the parties’ names and any urgent deadline. We check conflicts and whether the matter fits our practice before requesting detailed documents.
If we can assist, we identify the responsible lawyer and agree the proposed work, output, timing and fee in writing before paid work begins. You can decide whether to proceed on that basis.
Review the advice and commercial options. Negotiation, court proceedings or further support are agreed separately when needed.
For a complex or uncertain matter, we may propose a paid assessment of the documents, legal position and available routes. The agreed output can address evidence gaps, risks, potential costs and practical recovery or enforcement prospects. Further work is a separate decision.
If a deadline is approaching, state it in your first message. An inquiry alone does not confirm that Atras is acting on the matter.
IRANIAN-LAW SUPPORT FROM ABROAD
We can coordinate with your management team and existing legal advisers while handling the Iranian-law work locally. Many discussions and document reviews can take place remotely; any originals, translations, authority documents or attendance requirements are identified for the matter.
Work outside Tehran is addressed in the agreed scope.
Our China and Russia desks support the coordination of matters for those markets from Tehran. We also work with clients connected to Türkiye, the UAE and other GCC countries, Germany, Italy and India. Working language and translation needs are agreed for each engagement.
Atras advises on Iranian law. Where a matter involves foreign sanctions, banking or another jurisdiction’s law, appropriate external advice may be needed.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS BEFORE INSTRUCTION
Before paid work begins, we agree the scope, fee basis and payment stages in writing. For disputes, the proposal specifies which stages are covered, such as initial proceedings, appeal or enforcement. Court fees, translations, experts and travel, where relevant, are identified separately. Any additional work and related fees are agreed separately.
Available arrangements depend on the engagement and applicable restrictions. We discuss the proposed currency, recipient and payment route before work begins. A payment method is confirmed for the specific engagement.
We assess the claim, supporting evidence and available information about the debtor. Further investigation may be needed to understand assets and enforcement prospects. A valid claim or favorable judgment does not by itself guarantee payment.
Initial discussions and many document reviews can take place remotely. Any need for original documents, formal authorization or attendance depends on the matter. We identify those requirements as part of the proposed work.
Yes. Atras can act as Iranian local counsel alongside your in-house legal team, overseas lawyers or international arbitration counsel. We agree the scope of our work, each team’s responsibilities and how advice, documents and deadlines will be coordinated. Your named lead lawyer at Atras coordinates with your existing advisers and provides English-language updates on the Iranian-law aspects of your matter.
Explore practical guides to Iranian commercial disputes, business relationships and intellectual property, with questions to consider before taking action.
