CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Baker McKenzie has advised companies from the Agencja Rozwoju Przemyslu group on their joint venture with GRI Renewable Industries for the construction of a wind tower production facility in Poland. Garrigues advised GRI.
On 31 January 2023, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "Some issues with implementation of the provisions of the Law of Ukraine 'On Mobilization Training and Mobilisation'" No. 76 dated 27 January 2023 ("Resolution") came into effect. The Resolution approves a new procedure for reserving persons subject to military service, as well as criteria for determining companies that are critically important for the functioning of the economy and ensuring the livelihood of the population during a special period.
Greenberg Traurig has advised the Trigea Real Estate Fund on its acquisition of City Logistics Wroclaw II from Panattoni. Szybkowski Kuzma Jelen Brzoza-Ostrowska advised Panattoni. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised Trigea on tax matters.
Baker McKenzie, Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka, and Marek Partners have advised the Migros Group and its start-up incubator Sparrow Ventures on their investment in Revendo. Baer & Karrer advised Revendo's founders.
On 26 January 2023, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Procedure for Investigation and Recording of Accidents, Occupational Diseases and Industrial Accidents" No. 59, dated 20 January 2023, (the "Resolution") came into effect. The Resolution, among other things, establishes the procedure for the timely and thorough investigation of workplace accidents caused by the military aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine.
A new trend is emerging in the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition’s (OGYEI) recent case law on medicinal product promotion in Hungary. The OGYEI is more active, imposes higher fines, and its investigations extend to longer time periods and to a variety of promotional practices of pharma companies, instead of focusing on specific infringements as before. In numbers, the OGYEI published two to three times as many decisions annually in the past two years than before. Further, the imposed fines regularly exceed USD 75,000 and, in 2022, the OGYEI imposed its highest fine (approximately USD 100,000) in the last ten years.
Paksoy, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised Groupe Cahors on its acquisition of Schneider Electric companies that operate transformer plants in Turkey and Poland. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership reportedly advised the sellers. Volt Associes and Kinstellar Turkish affiliate Gen Temizer Ozer reportedly advised the lenders.
On 5 January 2023, the "Procedure for Organisation and Maintenance of Military Registration of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service and Reservists," approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1487 dated 30 December 2022 ("Procedure"), came into effect. The Procedure establishes changes regarding the military registration of Ukrainians, including new obligations for employers.
The Law on the Amendment of the Law on Judges and Prosecutors and Certain Laws (“Law“) published in the Official Gazette dated 28 June 2022 and numbered 31880 made significant amendments to Notary Public Law No. 1512 and enabled public notaries to execute real estate sales contracts.
Clifford Chance has advised ING Bank Slaski, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, and Alior Bank on a sustainability-linked corporate refinancing for the Paged Group. Baker McKenzie advised the borrowers.
On December 27, 2022, Dentons announced that aiMotive's sale to Stellantis (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on November 30, 2022) had closed.
On December 28, 2022, Baker McKenzie announced that Accenture’s takeover of ARZ Allgemeines Rechenzentrum (reported by CEE Legal Matters on June 10, 2022) had closed.
“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” – Ralph Waldo Emmerson. Choosing a profession is always a pivotal point in everyone’s life. Once we set our minds and find our path, we try to dedicate all our energy and effort to making the best of it. The 21st century, however, has already left a mark on all our careers with its constant demand for adapting to new needs, circumstances, and business and work climates.
Greenberg Traurig has advised the Polsat Plus Group on its PLN 2.67 billion issuance of sustainability-linked bonds according to the ICMA standard. Baker McKenzie advised the banks.
The Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie has advised the International Finance Corporation on channeling up to EUR 25 million in EU funds to help Ukrainian homeowners' associations restore war-damaged residential buildings.
On 11 December 2022, Law No.2759-IX of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Preventing and Countering Mobbing (Hostile Environment)" dated 16 November 2022 (Law) came into effect. Among other things, the Law: (i) provides the definition of "mobbing"; (ii) introduces new grounds for dismissal of employees in connection with mobbing; and (iii) guarantees compensation of moral damages for employees who have suffered from mobbing.
Baker McKenzie has advised the Polindus-Laktopol Capital Group on its acquisition of a production plant in Bielsk Podlaski from the bankruptcy trustee of the Bielmlek Dairy Cooperative. Sole practitioner Kazimierz Mordaszewski reportedly advised the bankruptcy trustee.
Former Moscow-based Baker McKenzie Partner Simon Morgan has joined the Banking & Finance department of Baker Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership.
Baker McKenzie brings insight and foresight to clients across more than 70 global offices. Our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 lawyers, works alongside our clients to drive growth that is both sustainable – and inclusive. The global business community is more interconnected than ever before. Opportunities and risks spill across different markets, sectors and areas of law, so a connected perspective is essential in delivering business objectives while mitigating risk. Our integrated client solutions provide seamless advice, underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise, as well as first-rate local market knowledge.
In the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, Baker McKenzie's expansion remains steadfast, with a thriving team of over legal professionals. Our footprint extends across six offices in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Türkiye, and Ukraine. As part of our global network, coupled with well-established partnerships throughout the entire CEE landscape, we proudly stand as one of the foremost international law firms in this dynamic territory. Our reputation as a premier business law firm in CEE is a testament to our extensive experience in advising on a multitude of prestigious projects and nurturing enduring client relationships.