In accordance with the Law on the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Lithuania, the Chamber, on its own initiative or upon request of state institutions, conducts an examination of documents regulating economic activity and makes proposals to state institutions. The law provides for cooperation of the Chamber with state institutions, city and district self-governing bodies, therefore, the Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts protects the interests of its members directly in those institutions that adopt decisions relevant to business.

The Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts issues certificates of force majeure for circumstances that arose or existed in the territory of the Chamber, i.e. Vilnius and Alytus counties. A certificate issued by the Chamber as an institution authorized by the State is formal written proof of greater value than any other means of proof. In the event of a situation of force majeure, the person is released from liability for failure to fulfill obligations.The concept of force majeure describes extraordinary circumstances that can’t be controlled and reasonably foreseen at the time of conclusion of the contract, and it is not possible to prevent these circumstances or the consequences that may arise. These circumstances may be caused by war, piracy, sabotage, natural disaster (for example, a storm, cyclone, earthquake, flood or fire), boycott, strike, lockout, etc. In the event of a force majeure, legal or illegal actions by public authorities and actions of individual officials may also be recognized.The Chamber shall examine the application of the person and issue the certificate or give a refusal to issue it within 20 working days from receiving all of the documents specified in clause 4 or 5 of the description. If necessary, the Chamber may, within 5 working days of receiving all of the documents specified in clause 4 or 5 of the description, request the person to clarify and / or supplement the submitted documents with a written request. In this case, the deadline for processing the application is calculated from the date when all revised and / or supplementary documents were received.

Examination of force majeure circumstances and the cost of issuing a certificate confirming this fact – 200 Eur (1 certificate).

The Chambers Association is one of the founders of the Vilnius Commercial Court of Arbitration (Gedimino Ave. 50, Vilnius). Arbitration provides individuals with an excellent opportunity to resolve disputes in a confidential, informal and mutually beneficial manner. Arbitration is a way of resolving a dispute where natural or legal persons, on the basis of their agreement, seek to settle a dispute between themselves and undertake not to apply to a court of a state, but to a third person or persons chosen by them, or as appointed by law. Arbitration decisions are recognized and can be enforced in more than 140 countries of the world. Unlike courts, arbitration is more flexible – parties can agree on the language and place, the number of arbitrators and the procedure for their appointment, and the law applied to the disputes. Arbitration, in accordance with the agreement of the parties to the dispute, may organize procedures for settling international and national commercial disputes by using alternative means of settling disputes (examination, conciliation, mediation, etc.).

Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts provides general business consultations on the following issues:

• advises on how to prepare for participation in exhibitions, fairs, missions and business networking events abroad;
• advises and provides assistance to members of the Chamber who want to find business partners abroad;
• advise members of the Chamber and other Lithuanian companies on issues of customs, certificates of origin, issue of ATA carnets;
• Advises GS1 Bar Code Issues;
• advises on business creation and development issues.

The Chamber, as a member of the Business Advisory Network, carries out specialized consultations on the following topics:

– Business support and business financing sources;
– Investment and financing sources;
– Project management;
– Taxes and bookkeeping;
– Action plan for export preparations;
– Export strategy;
– Choice of target export markets and external communication.

For specialist consultation procedures and Chamber experts, please contact Aistė Litvinaitė, Investment Development Manager at the Business and Strategic Development Division, a.litivinaite@cci.lt, tel. 8 678 83984.