As part of the EU Gas and Hydrogen Package, Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of 13 June 2024 ("Internal Gas Market Directive; IGMD") makes provisions for the first time on the phase-out of gas by network operators through the decommissioning of gas networks. Article 57 IGMD stipulates that gas distribution system operators ("DSO") must develop network decommissioning plans ("NDP") if a reduction in natural gas demand is foreseeable. The competent national authorities assess whether the NDP for the distribution network meets the principles set out in the IGMD.

Fellner Wratzfeld & Partner has advised German battery manufacturer Varta in StaRUG restructuring proceedings.

Herbst Kinsky has advised Mavoco on its EUR 11 million series A+ financing round led by 3TS Capital Partners, red-stars.com, and additional investors. Cerha Hempel advised red-stars.com. Dorda reportedly advised 3TS.

Taylor Wessing has advised Art of Mobility on its acquisition of KTM’s 50.1% stake in MV Agusta Motor. Pedersoli Gattai reportedly advised MV Agusta Motor. Oberhammer reportedly advised KTM.

Binder Groesswang has promoted Mona Holzgruber to Partner.

Former Binder Groesswang Partner Philipp Kapl has joined Kinstellar as a Partner.

Cerha Hempel has advised ODDO BHF on establishing its Austrian branch.

On 17 December 2024, in a lawsuit brought by a tenant against his landlord for repayment of operating costs and rent increases based on indexation, the Supreme Court ruled (10 Ob 54/24z) that the landlord was obliged to repay the operating costs, but confirmed the validity of the value retention clause and provided some clarification on points that had previously been controversial.

Former Dorda Partner Bernhard Mueller has joined PwC Legal's affiliated Vienna office of Oehner & Partner as a Partner.

RPCK has advised Farm-ING on its conversion from a GmbH into a flexible company.

E+H, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised Comply365 on its acquisition of Aviation Safety & Quality Solutions. Lindner Stimmler reportedly advised the shareholders of ASQS.

White & Case has advised the lenders on the financing for the acquisition of Cellnex's business in Austria. Binder Groesswang reportedly advised the lenders as well. Schoenherr, working with Hogan Lovells, reportedly advised the sponsors.

Brandl Talos has advised Highland Europe on its investment in SmaXtec as part of a round led by KKR. Dechert's Munich-based office advised the shareholders of SmaXtec. Gibson Dunn and Wolf Theiss reportedly advised KKR. 

E+H, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised 3i Group on its investment in OMS Pruefservice.

Schoenherr has advised ImWind and Bloch3 on obtaining an environmental impact assessment permit in Austria for the Rustenfeld wind farm.

Wolf Theiss, working alongside Goodwin Procter, has advised McWin Capital Partners on its partnership with Austrian scale-up ElephantSkin.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

I have now spent more than 25 years in the legal advisory business world. With my core focus on cross-border M&A transactions for Austrian and international clients and having worked on many deals that also covered the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, I have witnessed lawyering in CEE register remarkable growth and sophistication over the past years.