Bulgaria has outlined a procedure for electronic labour records (ELR) in a draft Ordinance published for public consultations on 21 May 2024. The switch to ELR will take effect on 1 June 2025, as stipulated by recent amendments to the Labour Code. This represents a significant step in the long-awaited digitalisation of employment records.

On June 12, 2024, the Bulgarian Council of Ministers released a draft bill for public discussion, aiming to revise the Bulgarian Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) to align with the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulation 2023/988 (“GPSR”) and the Class Action Directive 2020/1828 (the “Class Action Directive”).

On February 29, 2024, energy experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Turkiye, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the key developments in the field of oil & gas over the past few years.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. While in the legal field maintaining client relationships is vital, there are occasions when law firms must end engagements. To explore some of the reasons that might lead to this, we asked: After accepting mandates, what have been the main reasons for which you ended up having to drop clients?

In mid-2023, the Bulgarian Parliament finally formed a steady Government. The Parliament also introduced predictability in the regulatory environment for renewables along with several legislative developments.

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov has successfully defended the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council in a public procurement dispute related to the creation of an optimization model of the judicial map of Bulgarian courts and prosecutor's offices as well as the development of a unified information system of the courts financed under the Good Governance 2014-2020 program.

CMS has advised OMV Offshore Bulgaria on the permit transfer procedure with the Bulgarian Government and the issuance of a force majeure certificate by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Han Asparuh 1-21 offshore block.

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov has successfully defended Electrohold Sales in an energy dispute involving clawback and insolvency recovery claims brought by an insolvency creditor in the insolvency proceedings of Future Energy.

CMS has advised Chint/Astronergy on a supply agreement for the supply of photovoltaic panels and high-voltage transformers for the renewable energy market in Bulgaria.

A popular practice among consumers under the age of 30 is to purposely search for better-value alternatives to items from well-known brands. Started to gain followers on social media, this idea has become a phenomenon, with entrepreneurs setting up e-stores, boldly claiming to sell dupes (short for "duplicates"). Others sell their own products "inspired" by current trends. And while supply is generally justified by demand, it raises the question of whether duplicates are an innocent more affordable alternative or an unfair profiting on the back of another. Public opinion is divided, but we are going to examine what the law says.

The Energy & Climate Change practice of CMS has been booming in Bulgaria, according to Sofia Managing Partner and CEE Head of Energy & Climate Change Kostadin Sirleshtov, with work ranging from project, acquisitions, and financing mandates on renewables, to oil and gas, nuclear power, and a significant number of disputes.

Boyanov & Co. Partner Kina Chuturkova highlights progress made in Bulgaria in terms of reforming the judicial system but areas where improvements are still needed remain.

The Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria recognized under "exceptional circumstances," the right of an active partner in a limited liability company to act as an ad hoc representative. This decision references to Articles 6 and 13 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECPHRFF) and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Kinstellar has advised the United Bulgarian Bank on its merger with UBB Factoring.

Wolf Theiss has advised Lion’s Head Investments on its acquisition of a significant portion of logistics company BPD in a transaction valued at EUR 71.4 million.

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.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Given the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the legal profession, we asked: What is the one critical skill that you’re investing time and energy in to develop within your team, and why?

In September 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported on Bulgaria’s outstanding legislative packages caused by three parliamentary elections being held in the span of eight months. Nearly two years later, Hristov & Partners Partner Dragomir Stefanov, Kambourov & Partners Partner Veronika Hadjieva, Penkov, Markov & Partners Associated Partner Nikolay Voynov, Peterka & Partners Partner Plamen Peev, and Schoenherr Bulgaria Co-Head of Real Estate Elena Todorova discuss the progress made after the extended legislative hiatus.