US-based and other multinational employers with subsidiaries in Bulgaria often include their Bulgarian employees in their equity plans and grant them equity awards. Implementing an international equity plan in Bulgaria for the first time can be challenging for any multinational employer, as they should ensure compliance with Bulgarian laws and regulations. Tax compliance could raise particular concerns, as Bulgarian tax law is silent on many issues and the views of the Bulgarian tax authorities lack consistency throughout the years.
Kinstellar, Majernik & Mihalikova, Dentons, and AG Legal Advise on NN Group's Acquisition of Majority Share in Finportal
Kinstellar has advised NN Group on the acquisition of a majority share in Finportal from Arca Investment and Rudolf Adam. Majernik & Mihalikova advised Rudolf Adam on the deal. Dentons advised Arca Investment and AG Legal advised Finportal.
Renewables in Serbia: A CEE Legal Matters Round Table
On March 10, five leading lawyers in Serbia sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the current state and outlook of the renewables market in Serbia, with topics covered including the goals set and the country's National Renewable Energy Action Plan, the challenges presented by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the "conservative wave" in the country, the main players and the deals pipeline in the sector, the availability of green financing for renewable projects in the country, as well as the biggest regulatory hurdles currently still affecting renewables in Serbia and the participants' wishlist of what could be done to remove some of these obstacles.
Nina Tsifudina Makes Partner at Kinstellar
Former Counsel Nina Tsifudina has been promoted to Partner at Kinstellar.
The Buzz in Hungary: Interview with Kristof Ferenczi of Kinstellar
The Hungarian economy is performing well, despite all the turmoil Europe finds itself in currently, according to Kinstellar Budapest Managing Partner Kristof Ferenczi.
ESG in Croatia: A CEE Legal Matters Round Table
On February 24, four leading lawyers in Croatia sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea. The conversation focused on the current state of affairs of ESG in the country at the moment and the challenges of raising awareness in the topic.
The Buzz in the Czech Republic: Interview with Jan Juroska of Kinstellar
The current primary focus of the Czech government is to help Ukrainian refugees and deal with the various issues surrounding sanctions against Russia, according to Kinstellar Partner Jan Juroska.
Serbian Banks: Managers Caught in a Pincer Movement
On 3 March 2022, Serbian banks received a letter from the National Bank of Serbia stating that Serbia did not implement sanctions against the Russian Federation and that the banks must continue to provide services to their clients who are in any way connected to the Russian Federation. The banks were told to do so without delay, in any case not later than 4 March 2022, and to report back on undertaken actions.
Marketing Law Firm Marketing: Planning the Marketing Budget
At the end of each year, business development and marketing specialists across the globe are busy identifying strategies and components to plan an annual marketing budget. Accordingly, this time around, given the season, we asked Law Firm Marketing experts across the CEE region a question: Which metrics do you look at when planning your marketing budget?
Serbia Prepares for the First Market Premium Auction
Recently, the Serbian Government (“Government“) adopted a Regulation on the Quota in the Market Premium System (“Quota Regulation“), and soon after, the Regulation on Market Premium and Fid-In Tarif (“Tarif Regulation“) and the Regulation on the Model Agreement for the Market Premium for Renewable Energy Sources (“Model Agreement Regulation“). This package of by-laws has been adopted to create conditions for the organization of the first market premium auction in accordance with the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources (“Law“).
Kinstellar Integrates Zuric i Partneri to Expand in Croatia
Kinstellar has announced it is entering the Croatian market by integrating the Zuric i Partneri (ZiP) law firm. While the local firm will keep its name, "ZiP is now a fully integrated office of Kinstellar."
The Latest Amendments to the Serbian Companies Act
On 17 November 2021, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia adopted the amendments to the Companies Act (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 109/2021) (the „Act“) which entered into force on 27 November 2021.
Loot Boxes in Video Games – Potential Unlicensed Gambling
For the last decade or so, the video gaming industry has been witnessing an emergence, and then almost a mainstream adoption of a revenue-generating mechanic similar, if not outright identical, to gambling.
Employment Considerations in a COVID-19 World: A Hungarian Round Table
On October 7, six leading labor lawyers in Hungary sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea. The conversation focused on the current state of affairs of labor regulations in Hungary and their evolution over the pandemic-marked last few months.
The Czech Logistics Sector – Strong Growth in the Face of Adversity
CEE Legal Matters has been reporting on an increased number of deals in the Czech Republic’s logistics sector. We reached out to several Czech real estate lawyers to discuss both the drivers behind the spike in work in the sector and the challenges it faces in the country.
Maria Dardai Returns to Private Practice to Join Kinstellar in Hungary
MSC Cruises Compliance Officer Maria Dardai has joined Kinstellar as a Special Counsel.
Agricultural Land Regulation Opens New Possibilities for the Energy Sector
Not so long ago (12 years!) Serbia adopted the amendments to the Agricultural Land Act which was supposed to allow the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, mainly to support the growing renewable energy sector. Of course, this was conditioned with adopting an adequate Regulation by the Serbian Government, which everyone waited for since 2009. Finally, patience paid off and in July 2021, the Serbian Government adopted the Regulation on the conditions, manner and procedure for giving state-owned agricultural land for use for non-agricultural purposes (hereinafter: “Regulation”).
Whatsapp Faces Second Largest Fine for Breaching GDPR Rules
On 2 September 2021 Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced a 225 million euro fine for WhatsApp and ordered the company to amend its practices within three months. It is the largest fine ever from the DPC, and the second-highest under Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).