On 2 May 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted Law “On Amendments to the Laws of Ukraine Regarding Improvements of Legal Regulation of Notarial and Registration Actions When Acquiring the Land Plots” No. 3065-IX (“Law”).

On 5 July 2023, the President of Ukraine signed Law of Ukraine “On Consumer Protection” No. 3153‑IX (the “CP Law”). Most provisions of the CP Law will become effective one year after its publication, which is yet to be made, but not earlier than the date of termination or cancellation of martial law in Ukraine.

The National Bank of Ukraine (“NBU”) recently allowed Ukrainian borrowers to transfer foreign currency (“FX”) funds abroad to fulfil their obligations under the following categories of loans from foreign lenders:

Sayenko Kharenko has advised Citibank and UK Export Finance on a GBP 26.3 million equivalent export loan provided to Ukraine under UKEF’s guarantee, to finance the reconstruction of bridges around Kyiv.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Keeping in mind last year’s complexities and the uncertainties ahead, this time we asked: Has your team shrunk or increased in the last 12 months and what are your expectations for 2023?

Following a tumultuous year marked by the ongoing conflict in the region and rising financing expenses, we reached out to experts across CEE to gain a deeper understanding of the real estate landscape, including key factors driving the industry and the primary obstacles it faces.

On 11 April 2023, the President of Ukraine signed Law of Ukraine “On Collective Bargaining Agreements and Contracts” No. 2937-IX, dated 23 February 2023 (“Law”).

Avellum, working with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has advised Aristocrat on its USD 1.2 billion acquisition of NeoGames. Latham & Watkins advised NeoGames.

Avellum has advised the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine on a CAD 2.4 billion concessional loan from Canada. Sayenko Kharenko advised the Government of Canada on Ukrainian law-related matters.

Avellum has advised the American University Kyiv on establishing its campus in the Kyiv River Port building, in Poshtova Square in Kyiv.

On the evening of April 25, 2023, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms and ILFs active in the region in Istanbul.

Since the beginning of Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities have imposed personal sanctions on about 5,000 individuals and 2,500 legal entities.

Tax information exchange aims to enable tax authorities to receive information about their residents' foreign financial accounts and assets and identify potential tax evasion or non-compliance.

We are honored and excited to introduce (and extend a big thank you to!) our regional Final Selection Committee of Jurors for the 2022 CEE Deals of the Year awards.

On 23 February 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted the Law of Ukraine “On Compensation for Damage and Destruction of Certain Categories of Real Estate as a Result of Hostilities, Terrorist Acts, and Sabotage Caused by the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine, and the State Register of Property Damaged and Destroyed as a Result of Hostilities, Terrorist Acts, and Sabotage Caused by the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine” No. 2923-IX (“Law”), which will enter into force on 22 May 2023.

Avellum has supported the action group led by Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance and the State Financial Monitoring Service in its efforts towards the adoption of restrictive measures against Russia by the Financial Action Task Force.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine hit the one-year mark, we asked Ukrainian law firms how they adjusted to the new circumstances, how their mandates and teams have evolved, and about the support they received from their colleagues abroad throughout this period.

Considering the current state of affairs in CEE, market dynamics have shifted in terms of where investors are looking for safe investment opportunities, with some sectors seeing steadier capital flows and others struggling. Our experts chart the current hotspots and consider whether the markets are set to shift again.