Schoenherr has advised HPI GMA, operating under the Trasti brand, on a EUR 21 million equity investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Zavarovalnica Triglav. Dentons advised EBRD and Triglav. DLA Piper reportedly also advised Triglav.

Freshfields has advised a syndicate of 32 banks, led by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and Bank of America, on a EUR 2.5 billion sustainability-linked revolving credit facility granted to Iberdrola Financiacion and Avangrid as borrowers, with Iberdrola acting as guarantor.

Ellex has advised Sakalas on the acquisition of Futurus Food.

Cobalt has advised Hanza on its acquisition of Milectria Group from Milectria Group Oy, Tomi Kaukonen, Juha-Matti Kaukonen, Mirka Ruoho, and Tatu Piilola. Njord, working with Applex, advised the sellers.

SK&S has advised Wizz Air on the agreement with Warsaw Modlin Airport, paving the way for the airline to open a new operational base at the airport. BWHS Wojciechowski Springer i Wspolnicy advised Warsaw Modlin Airport.

PFP, working with PwC Legal, has advised Investika on its entry into the Austrian real estate market via an asset deal, acquiring the CAE Aviation Training Centre from Proper Industrial. Dorda advised Propel Industrial.

Sayenko Kharenko has advised UK Export Finance on a GBP 1.7 billion export loan provided to Ukraine under a UKEF guarantee.

Kinstellar has advised Hungary’s state-owned energy company MVM on the acquisition of a majority stake in Serbia’s Energotehnika Juzna Backa and Elektromontaza Kraljevo from Maneks, increasing its shareholding from 33.4% to 60%.

Cerha Hempel has advised Worthington Enterprises subsidiary Worthington Cylinders on the sale of its alternative fuels business to Norway-based Hexagon Composites. Baker McKenzie advised Worthington Enterprises. Saxinger advised Hexagon.

Dentons' Turkish affiliate of Balcioglu Selcuk Eymirlioglu Ardiyok Keki Attorney Partnership has advised AKA European Export Trade Bank on a EUR 76.7 million financing facility provided to Ecogreen Enerji Holding.

Clifford Chance has advised the joint bookrunners Citi and ICBC Standard Bank on Turkiye Halk Bankasi’s issuance of USD 700 million Reg S 9.300% perpetual fixed rate resettable Additional tier 1 notes.

Harrisons has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR 40 million loan extended to UniCredit Leasing Serbia under the Western Balkans Green Outcomes-Linked Debt Financing Framework.

Alexios Andriopoulos has joined Welcome Pickups as the company's new Head of Legal & Compliance.

Octavian Ionascu has joined DLA Piper's Romania office as a Tax Director.

Luiza Alexandra Ionescu has joined Stratulat Albulescu as Special Counsel and the firm's new Head of the Energy Department. Ionescu joins alongside Industry Expert Andreea Paraschiv.

Jalsovszky has launched a dedicated “second opinion” service, offering clients, including individuals, companies, and even fellow lawyers, an independent external perspective in legal disputes.

Budapest-based Dentons Partner Rob Irving has been reappointed as the Co-Head of Corporate and M&A, while Warsaw-based Partner Agnieszka Stefanowicz-Baranska has been appointed the Co-Head of the Competition and Antitrust practice.

Alexandra Ivancia has become CTP Romania's new Head of Legal.

Radovan Hrisny has joined Havel & Partners as Security Director.

Diana Tavera and Marcin Beben have become Equity Partners at Kochanski & Partners.

Turkish lawyer Meltem Azbazdar has been appointed as Diageo's General Counsel Europe based in London.

Kolcuoglu Demirkan Kocakli has promoted Neyzar Unubol and Begum Bicer Ilikay to Partner.

Former Deloitte Legal Senior Managing Associate Ened Topi has joined Lalaj & Partners as a Partner.

Greece-based FNG Law Firm has joined Drakopoulos with Petros Fragkiskos and Konstantinos Nikolakopoulos Giannidis becoming Drakopoulos Equity Partners and Achilleas Papadopoulos joining as Partner. 

It’s mid-July, the summer is in full swing, and most of us are either on annual leave or eagerly counting down the days until we can finally unplug and recharge. That’s why I decided to dedicate this light, summer-friendly topic, perfect for reading in the shade at +35°C, to reminding us that the right to paid annual leave is not only one of the fundamental human rights, but also a necessary response to the lifestyle we lead.

In a rapidly evolving global landscape, regulatory expectations are becoming increasingly complex. While transitional periods may offer a degree of flexibility, the pace of regulatory change demands continuous attention from market players and dedicated resources to maintain compliance and achieve long-term operational resilience.

The fight against software piracy has entered its second phase, marking a significant shift from the earlier era of physical piracy to the current challenges of combating digital piracy.

In light of a judgment rendered in proceedings for the annulment of an unlawful decision terminating an employment contract upon expiry of the probationary period, a question has arisen which, from the standpoint of legal theory and the fundamental principles of labor law, arguably should not be a matter of dispute: should a termination decision issued upon the expiry of the probationary period include a statement of reasons?

On 03.07.2025, the Albanian Parliament approved Law No. 56/2025, adding a new provision to Law No. 7764, dated 02.11.1993, “On Foreign Investments”, as amended. This law was published in the Official Gazette on 11.07.2025.

On 27 June 2025, the Assembly of North Macedonia adopted a new Electronic Communications Act (ECA). This landmark legislation represents a comprehensive overhaul of the country's digital regulatory framework, aligning it with the European Electronic Communications Code (Directive 2018/1972) (the "Directive") and the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (Regulation 2024/1309) (the "Regulation").

By Resolution No. 847 of 14 July 2025, the Government amended the Criteria and Procedure for designating enterprises, institutions, and organizations as critically important for the functioning of the economy and the maintenance of vital public life during extraordinary periods (the "Criteria").

Starting 1 July 2025, Hungary will implement a new procedure aimed at clarifying employment relationships and addressing cases where employers fraudulently evade taxes and social security contributions. The initiative is designed to protect employees while also reducing the administrative burden on employers.

In a significant move towards economic recovery and strategic growth, Ukraine and its international partners have launched several finance initiatives aimed at mobilizing capital and transforming critical sectors. These efforts, including the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund and other programs announced in 2025, showcase a commitment to rebuilding Ukraine through blended finance models. This article explores these developments and their implications for Ukraine’s future.

In June 2025, a foreign currency (Swiss franc) loan agreement was annulled by the Pest Central District Court, since the creditor bank had failed to properly inform the debtor (who had been a consumer) about the exchange rate risk arising from the agreement. As a consequence, the whole agreement is invalid retroactively from the date of its conclusion, so that the bank is only entitled to recover the amount it lent to the debtor; beyond that, all repayments, interest and charges must be repaid to the debtor.

The long-awaited Bulgarian foreign direct investment (FDI) screening regime is now fully operational.

With the adoption of the Amendment and Supplement to the Investment Promotion Act (the “FDI Act”) in March 2024, along with the publication in the State Gazette of the long-awaited secondary legislation – the Amendment and Supplement to the Rules on the Implementation of the Investment Promotion Act (the “Rules”) –on 22 July 2025, the FDI screening regime became applicable in Bulgaria. Transactions by foreign investors in the areas outlined in the law, above the set thresholds, would need to obtain FDI approval before closing.

The international sales process for the renowned Vienna Marriott Hotel at Parkring Vienna has been successfully completed with its acquisition by an international consortium of investors.

AIR ARABIA WAS FOUND COMPLIANT DURING A RECENT PROCEDURE OF PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA ACROSS THE EU

bpv Huegel successfully advised RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Aktiengesellschaft (RWA) on the sale of its share in AUSTRIA JUICE GmbH to AGRANA Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft.

RWA eGen completes the purchase of shares in RWA AG from BayWa AG. The acquisition financing was structured and provided by Raiffeisen Bank International AG.

bpv Huegel is delighted to appoint Johannes Mitterecker as a partner. He works in the Corporate Law/M&A practice group and specialises in M&A transactions, restructuring and sports law.

RTPR has assisted the syndicate of banks in connection with a RON 3.1 billion syndicated loan granted to Electrica.

From the 1st May, 2025 Markian Malskyy becomes the new managing partner of ARZINGER, replacing Timur Bondaryev, founding partner. Timur Bondaryev has held this position almost ever since the firm was founded 23 years ago and, together with other partners, has built a strong legal brand.

This makes bpv Huegel’s tax practice top-ranked in Chambers Europe. This confirms the leading position of bpv Huegel in tax law advice.

EAVISTA is acquiring 75.1% of the shares in card complete Service Bank AG from UniCredit Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International.

We are delighted to announce that PRK Partners has been shortlisted with other three international law firms operating on the Czech legal market as finalists for the Czech Republic Law Firm of the Year 2025 in the 26th annual IFLR Europe Awards.

The Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (PMU) imposed a fine of EUR 675,200 on United Classifieds s.r.o. for a serious breach of competition rules, namely for abuse of a dominant position on the online real estate advertising market.

RTPR announces the promotion of Bogdan Cordos to Partner. He joins the team of 8 partners consisting of Costin Taracila, Victor Padurari, Alexandru Retevoescu, Mihai Ristici, Valentin Berea, Roxana Ionescu, Alina Stavaru and Cosmin Tilea.