Latest News By Country
Former Deloitte Legal Albania and Kosovo Local Legal Partner Sabina Lalaj has established her eponymous firm Lalaj & Partners in Tirana.
The Parliament of Albania has recently passed amendments to the Albanian Labour Code (“Code“), specifically regarding employee annual paid vacation entitlements.
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As partner departures are inherent to the workings of any law firm, and likely demand clear strategies for navigating, this time around we asked: What are the three most important items on your checklist when a Partner leaves your firm?
Schoenherr has advised OMV Aktiengesellschaft on a EUR 1 billion corporate bonds issuance with Barclays, Erste Group, Mizuho, Raiffeisen Bank International, Societe Generale, and UniCredit serving as joint bookrunners. White & Case's Frankfurt office advised the joint bookrunners.
Dorda has advised KGAL on the acquisition of the VIE office building in Vienna.
RPCK Rastegar Panchal has advised Propcorn FlexCo on a EUR 600,000 pre-seed investment round by investors Hansi Hansman and his Hans(wo)men Group, venture capital fund Calm/Storm, and Weilburg Ventures.
Contributed by Arzinger
Former Maric & Co Partner Slaven Dizdar has left the firm to launch Dizdar Law Office in Sarajevo.
Ibrahimovic & Co has advised Bimal on real estate plot acquisition via a special arrangement with the Government of Brcko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
EOS Matrix Bosnia and Herzegovina Executive Director for Legal Affairs Mirza Kahvedzic discusses his career path leading up to his current role, how his legal team operates, and current challenges faced due to slow court proceedings.
CMS has advised the Czech Skoda Group on winning an order from Bulgaria's Ministry of Transportation for 20 four-car electric trains, alongside an option for an additional five units.
The Bulgarian energy regulator has proposed changes to the Grid Connection Ordinance No. 6, adopted earlier this year, which aim to provide flexibility in the application process, support for wind projects, and further regulation of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Kinstellar has advised Peter Mitev and Big Orange Foundation on the joint venture with Raycho Raychev and Endurosat for the acquisition of a 17,000-square-meter office building in Sofia from Alpha Bank. CMS advised Alpha Bank on the sale of its former headquarters. Yonev Valkov Nenov reportedly advised Raycho Raychev and Endurosat.
Cytowski & Partners has advised SplxAI on USD 2 million preseed financing from Inovo.vc, South Central Ventures, and Runtime Ventures.
Contributed by Savoric & Partners.
Savoric & Partners has advised Kompare on its acquisition of the Progreso Group.
Following more than six years as a sole practitioner, Pavel Vrany has joined Tarpan Legal as Associate Partner.
Dentons has advised AniCura on the acquisition of VetCare Group in Slovakia and the Czech Republic from HardWood Investments. Acres reportedly advised HardWood Investments.
Weinhold has advised TTS Tooltechnic Systems Beteiligungen on the disposal of its full ownership interest in Narex.
Sophia Grigoriadou – the former Managing Partner of KPMG's affiliate law firm CPA – has joined PwC's Greece office as Partner and Head of Legal Services.
Potamitis Vekris has advised Farallon Capital Management on the sale of its majority stake in Euromedica Group’s clinics and rehabilitation centers business to Imithea Single Member. KLC reportedly advised the buyer.
Potamits Vekris has advised Fourlis on the license rights for the Foot Locker network in eight countries in Southeast Europe and the acquisition of the existing Foot Locker network in Greece and Romania.
After spending the last five months as a sole practitioner, former Dentons Partner Gabor Kiraly has rejoined CMS as Of Counsel in its banking, finance, and capital markets team.
Starting from 1 January 2025, Hungary moves to a fully electronic land registry system following many delays and the potential benefits are transformative. The push for this modernization began in the 2010s, spurred by the success of electronic property registration systems across Europe. Countries like Austria and the Czech Republic have been using electronic land registries since 2001, with Slovakia, Romania, Poland, and most recently Bulgaria following suit in 2021. While these countries maintain paper-based options, the shift toward digital processes has proven advantageous.
TGS Baltic, working with Gernandt & Danielsson and Lupp + Partner, has advised TUV SUD on its acquisition of Carspect Group Holding and its subsidiaries in Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia from IK Partners group company Arwen International and minority sellers. Sorainen reportedly advised IK Partners.
Cobalt, working with Watson Farley & Williams, has advised NORD/LB and Swedbank on the EUR 87 million financing for Aidu Wind Park’s development of 67.5 megawatts of the 75-megawatt Aidu wind farm in Estonia.
CMS has advised TurboVolt on its sale to Eleport. Ellex advised Eleport and, reportedly, Schoenherr advised Eleport on Austrian, Croatian, and Slovenian law.
Baker McKenzie has successfully defended Kosovo Telecom in a Swiss Rules Arbitration against a Kosovar company reselling its mobile credit as well as in the subsequent challenge of the award at the Swiss Supreme Court.
On January 25, 2024, the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo published a list of concept notes anticipated for drafting and adoption by the Kosovo Government in the present year. The concept note, a regulatory prerequisite to the enactment of legislation within a specified domain, specifies the objectives of prospective governmental policy and the optimal modalities for their implementation.
Legal changes abound in Kosovo with contested advocacy laws and ongoing judicial reform, says Hodaj & Partners Managing Partner Taulant Hodaj, who highlights that despite challenges, favorable tax laws and investor-friendly policies persist in attracting businesses.
Cobalt has successfully represented Latvian metalworking company East Metal before the Zemgale District Court in being granted legal protection.
TGS Baltic, working with Gernandt & Danielsson and Lupp + Partner, has advised TUV SUD on its acquisition of Carspect Group Holding and its subsidiaries in Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia from IK Partners group company Arwen International and minority sellers. Sorainen reportedly advised IK Partners.
On 1 September 2024, the National Cyber Security Law came into force, replacing the Law on the Security of Information Technologies.
TGS Baltic has advised Coinvest Capital on a EUR 825,000 investment in Airvolve alongside Baltic Sandbox Ventures and several accredited business angels.
Contributed by Widen.
Former Triniti Jurex Attorney at Law Deivis Valiulis has joined Eversheds Saladzius' real estate and construction team as Partner, together with Senior Associates Raminta Vilcinskaite and Ruta Brazauskiene, Associate Marius Choniakovas, and Lawyer Dominyka Burneikaite.
The Proposal for the Law on Litigation Procedure has recently been reintroduced for review by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. As of September 2, 2024, it is now on the agenda of the Commission for Political System and Inter-Community Relations, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Contributed by Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska.
North Macedonia currently lacks AI-specific regulations, lagging behind neighbouring countries that have implemented guidelines or laws. Although the Macedonian Fund for Innovation and Technology Development (FITD) and the government initiated efforts in 2021 to create a National Strategy for AI (National Strategy), progress has been slow due to challenges such as insufficient data, human resources, and technical capabilities. Despite this, there is a strong commitment, supported by organisations like the World Bank and UNDP, to develop a comprehensive AI strategy aligned with European Union (EU) standards.
Contributed by Dolea & Co.
The Law on Personal Data Protection (LPDP) significantly influences the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in the Republic of Moldova. As companies increasingly adopt AI technologies, awareness and understanding of LPDP requirements application is crucial to ensure compliance and protect the rights of individuals.
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With managing firm clients being a critical aspect of firms’ operations, we asked: What are the three most important elements when onboarding a new client?
Komnenic & Partners' real estate practice has been navigating complex challenges, including zoning issues and frequent changes of the government and responsible bodies, while managing several high-profile projects, according to Managing Partner Milos Komnenic, who discusses the ongoing developments in the hospitality and retail sectors, the impact of regulatory uncertainty on investment, and the outlook for Montenegro's real estate market over the next year.
Montenegro lacks specific legal regulations or national strategies for AI, with current AI activities governed by general legal principles from existing laws. Despite the absence of detailed regulations or strong government support, public awareness of AI is relatively high, with 59.1 % of citizens familiar with the technology. Several initiatives are actively promoting the safe development and use of AI, reflecting a growing public interest in influencing future AI regulations.
The Parliament of Montenegro passed the Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, which was published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro on August 23rd, 2024. The Law will enter into force on the eighth day from the day of its publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.
Schoenherr has advised mBank on financing the acquisition of Scan Lab by Enterprise Investors Fund IX. Gide advised Enterprise Investors.
Jasinski has advised Peronelle Investment on its sale of two production and warehouse halls with office and social facilities in Gdynia to Firma Handlowa.
CMS has advised Santander Bank Polska, mBank, and Alior Bank on a seven-year syndicated financing for Golebiewski Holding.
RTPR has advised Sarmis Capital on its acquisition of AEK Security, AEK Firefighters, and Deziclean. Filip & Company reportedly advised the AEK-Deziclean Group.
Former Suciu Popa Partner Luminita Popa has left the firm to establish Popa Legal.
Suciu Popa has announced it is rebranding as Suciu Partners following former Partner Luminita Popa's departure. Founding Partners Cleopatra Leahu and Dan Ciobanu were appointed as Deputy Managing Partners alongside Managing Partner Miruna Suciu. The firm also appointed Partner Mihai Caragui as its new leader of the corporate and advisory departments, Partner Radu Chiran – as its new coordinator of the litigation and arbitration practices, and promoted Noemi Siman to Partner.
Contributed by Clifford Chance.
Contributed by Alrud.
Under which circumstances are controllers and processors not required to maintain records of personal data processing activities? The Personal Data Protection Law, modeled on the GDPR, sets out exceptions to the obligation for organizations with fewer than 250 employees to keep processing records. While this acknowledges the characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring they are not unnecessarily burdened with additional costs, the number of employees is not the sole criterion for exemption from the record-keeping obligation.
Gecic Law has appointed Miodrag Jevtic to Partner.
Contributed by JPM & Partners.
Dentons has advised AniCura on the acquisition of VetCare Group in Slovakia and the Czech Republic from HardWood Investments. Acres reportedly advised HardWood Investments.
Dentons has advised the sole owner of I.D.C. Holding Pavol Jakubec on the sale of the company to Valeo Foods. A&O Shearman advised Valeo Foods.
Wolf Theiss has advised on the reorganization of Oerlikon’s nitriding business in Slovakia via a spin-off of the business into a standalone legal and operational entity.
Contributed by Mitrovic Attorney.
CMS has advised TurboVolt on its sale to Eleport. Ellex advised Eleport and, reportedly, Schoenherr advised Eleport on Austrian, Croatian, and Slovenian law.
In recent months, Slovenia’s real estate market has experienced significant shifts driven by economic, technological, and regulatory factors, with more changes expected.
Paksoy has advised ACG Acquisition Company on its acquisition of Polimetal.
Kinstellar and its Turkish affiliate KST Law have advised Eleven Fund III Cooperatief on its USD 1.1 million seed investment in Magfi. May Law Office advised Magfi.
Turunc, working with DLA Piper's Atlanta office, has advised ICV Partners on its sale of Horizon Air Freight to GHK Capital Partners. Davis Polk & Wardwell reportedly advised the buyer.
As the war in Ukraine reshapes the country's economic landscape, the antitrust sector faces significant challenges and transformations, according to Integrites Senior Partner Vyacheslav Korchev, who highlights a growing trend of domestic M&A activity and a push toward aligning with European regulatory standards.
On 10 September 2024, amendments to the foreign currency (“FX”) regulation came into force, aimed at easing restrictions on business and, on the other hand, at introducing measures to counteract capital outflows.
Avellum has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a senior EUR 70 million loan to New Post LLC – the principal operating subsidiary of Nova group.