Love them or hate them, conferences are a fundamental part of the successful commercial lawyer’s calendar. But time is precious. Those calendars are full. It’s vital for conference organizers to get them right, and critical for lawyers to choose wisely in determining which events to attend and which to skip.

On 28 April 2020, the President signed the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Ukrainian Laws on Agricultural Lands Turnover” (“Law”). The Law lifts a long-lasting moratorium on private agricultural land sale, but it also introduces and leaves intact certain restrictions and limitations for the argicultural land market.

A little more than two years following its establishment, the Ukrainian Supreme Court is undergoing significant reform of its role in delivering justice. As distinct from the massive judicial reform back in 2017, which was launched by a single comprehensive law, the new overhaul of the Supreme Court is happening gradually.

2019 was a very successful year for Ukrainian renewables industry attracting around €3.7 billion of investments (as reported by the State Agency on Energy Efficiency). However, the COVID-19 pandemic may have an adverse effect on this industry as well.

Contributed by Avellum.

Avellum has advised Ukrainian development company UDP on the acquisition of a 33.35% stake in Ocean Plaza, a shopping and entertainment center in Ukraine.

Since mid-2019 Ukrainian authorities have been bringing to public fora various suggested amendments to Ukrainian “green” (feed-in) tariff framework. The most recent proposal from the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection mentioned creating an option with voluntary 5-25% reductions to the existing tariffs simultaneously with prolongation of their lifespan.

Avellum and Watson Farley & Williams have advised the EBRD on a long-term secured loan of up to EUR 52.5 million to Novi Biznes Poglyady.

Attendees to the 2019 CEELM Winter Party were cornered, over the course of the evening, and asked, without warning or an opportunity to prepare, what achievement over the past 12 months they were proudest of.

Avellum has advised the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank on a long-term secured loan of up to USD 10 million to Butsefal LLC and Prometey Swiss SA.

Contributed by Avellum

Avellum and DLA Piper Advise on Vodafone Acquisition and Financing

Avellum has advised arrangers J.P. Morgan Securities Plc and Raiffeisen Bank International AG on a USD 464 million bridge loan financing for Bakcell’s acquisition of PSJC Vodafone Ukraine. DLA Piper advised Bakcell on the deal.

Sayenko Kharenko and Latham & Watkins have advised BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, and Raiffeisen Bank International as the joint lead managers of Ukraine’s EUR 1.25 billion Eurobond issuance. Avellum and White & Case advised Ukraine's Ministry of Finance on the issuance.

Ukrainian commercial and residential real estate markets continue to be dynamic and are becoming more and more attractive to both local and foreign investors. The new Ukrainian Parliament, elected in summer 2019, has already passed some laws necessary for the development of the real estate sector and attracting investments to it. Below you will find an overview of the most significant changes in Ukrainian real estate legislation regarding buildings and construction in 2019.

In The Corner Office we ask Managing Partners across Central and Eastern Europe about their unique roles and responsibilities. The question this time around: What was the most useful or valuable piece of software or new technology your firm has acquired in the past five years?

Avellum and Latham & Watkins have advised CHG Healthcare on its acquisition of Modio Health.

Another in our series of articles leading up to the 2020 Dealer’s Choice Law Firm Summit and Deal of the Year Awards in London.

Sayenko Kharenko has advised the JSC State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine (Ukreximbank) on its issuance of USD 100 million subordinated loan participation notes, listed on the London Stock Exchange. The notes were issued by Biz Finance Plc., which applied the total principal amount of the issue towards financing a subordinated loan to the bank. Latham & Watkins and, reportedly, Avellum, advised J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley, the joint leaders on the transaction, the total book order of which reached USD 300 million. White & Case reportedly advised Ukreximbank as well.