As part of the broader effort to harmonise national legislation with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner issued Instruction No. 2, dated 30 April 2025 (Instruction No. 2), on the protection of personal data in the health sector. This Instruction repeals the previous 2020 framework and establishes a comprehensive set of rules governing the collection, use, and disclosure of health and genetic data.

The Bank of Albania has introduced a new regulatory framework on marketing and advertising by financial institutions, significantly enhancing consumer protection and transparency in the financial sector. The changes, enacted through Decision No. 11, dated 5 February 2025, amend the Regulation “On Transparency for Banking and Financial Products and Services” and enter into force on 1 May 2025.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

CMS has advised Bruker Corporation on its acquisition of Biocrates Life Sciences.

BPV Huegel has advised RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Aktiengesellschaft on the sale of its stake in Austria Junice to Agrana Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft. Schoenherr advised Agrana.

EY Law has advised Bybit on the successful completion of the crypto-asset service provider licensing procedure for Bybit EU GmbH in Austria under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation framework. 

Contributed by Arzinger

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

Gecic Law has successfully represented Arena Channels Group, alongside BH Telecom and Mtel Banja Luka, in an antitrust dispute before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised Citigroup Global Markets Europe, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, and J.P. Morgan as joint bookrunners and joint lead managers, as well as The Law Debenture Trust Corporation as trustee, on the EUR 700 million issuance of 8% senior guaranteed green notes by Energo-Pro. Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, advised the issuer. BLC Law Office and White & Case and its Turkish affiliate law firm GKC Partners reportedly advised the issuer and guarantors. Boyanov & Co, and reportedly BGI Advisory Services, advised the joint bookrunners, the joint lead managers, and the trustee as well.

Kinstellar has advised First Big Orange Garden on its acquisition of the FairPlay Business Hub from Fairplay International. Jordanov, Ignatov & Ivanov reportedly advised Fairplay International.

Tabakov, Tabakova & Partners has advised Mineral Water Hissar on the protected designation of origin registration of Naturalna mineralna voda Hissar / Naturalna mineralna voda Hissarya / Hissarska naturalna mineralna voda in the Register of Geographical Indications of the European Union.

Croatia’s transactional and legal landscape is heating up, with a strong pre-summer push across multiple sectors and a growing alignment with international standards, according to Gospic Plazina Stojs Partner Matea Gospic Plazina, who reports that this environment is driving fresh momentum in capital markets, M&A, and the increasingly layered world of family wealth management.

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. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised J&T Banka on the issuance of EUR 300 million senior preferred MREL-eligible notes under its international EMTN program. White & Case advised the banks involved.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised Citigroup Global Markets Europe, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, and J.P. Morgan as joint bookrunners and joint lead managers, as well as The Law Debenture Trust Corporation as trustee, on the EUR 700 million issuance of 8% senior guaranteed green notes by Energo-Pro. Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, advised the issuer. BLC Law Office and White & Case and its Turkish affiliate law firm GKC Partners reportedly advised the issuer and guarantors. Boyanov & Co, and reportedly BGI Advisory Services, advised the joint bookrunners, the joint lead managers, and the trustee as well.

Reals has advised Conseq Realitni on its acquisition of the Visionary office building in Prague’s Holesovice district from CA Immo. Dentons reportedly advised CA Immo.

Zepos & Yannopoulos, working with LLA Logos Legal Advisor, has advised Tao Digital Solutions on its acquisition of Software Competitiveness International.

Lambadarios has advised Halcyon Equity Partners on its investment in AlfaOmega Pharma Logistics. Solo practitioner Kalliopi Sereli reportedly advised AlfaOmega Pharma Logistics.

Lambadarios has advised Halcyon Equity Partners AIFM on its investment in Evoiki Zimi. Sioufas and Associates advised Evoiki Zimi.

Countries in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region have set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy sources. However, in many cases, there remains a significant gap between planned objectives and the actual installed energy generation capacities. Support schemes implemented in various countries—such as CAPEX subsidies—are increasingly making the sector attractive to investors, which in turn stimulates mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. The growing reliance on weather-dependent renewable electricity generation is also driving substantial investment demand in energy storage. Additionally, the region is seeing a rise in R+D projects focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and alternative fuels, while the Li-ion battery recycling market is expected to experience explosive growth.

Schoenherr has advised Schott Hungary on four EPC projects with Strabag, Weinberg, and Szarnyas related to the construction of new production facilities called Bau5, Bau6, Bau9, and Bau10. 

“To comply with the cybersecurity requirements of the NIS2 directive, affected businesses may get an additional six months to prepare,” announced the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs of Hungary (SZTFH) in a statement on 5 May 2025.

Ellex has advised venture capital fund Superangel on its participation in the USD 20 million Series A funding round for UK-based technology company Labrys.

Walless has advised Iron Wolf Capital on the launch of its EUR 100 million early-stage fund.

Walless has advised Estonian investment company Millerhawk on its acquisition of a portfolio of four retail properties in Estonia from Swedish investor Sobra Arikeskus. Cobalt advised Sobra Arikeskus.

Kosovo is in political limbo after the February elections, with stalled government formation affecting key decisions, according to Ardian Rexha, an Attorney at Law associated with Deloitte Kosova. At the same time, energy reforms and price hikes by the regulator are causing strong reactions from businesses and the public.

Kosovo is accelerating its energy transition, SEPA integration, and corporate transparency, aligning with EU standards to boost investment, competition, and economic stability, according to Nallbani Law Office Managing Partner Delvina Nallbani.

On the evening of April 1, 2025, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, over 200 top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms and General Counsel from across the region in Prague.

TGS Baltic has successfully represented LDZ Cargo and its parent company in overturning a EUR 5.7 million fine imposed by the Latvian Competition Council for alleged abuse of dominant position in the rail freight sector.

Cobalt has advised Rigas Udens on its EUR 20 million European Green Bond issuance and admission to trading on the Nasdaq Baltic Bond List with Signet Bank as the bond program arranger and dealer.

A privatization certificate is a dematerialized security issued by the state, which can be used only once as a means of payment for state or municipal property subject to privatization.

Cytowski & Partners and Motieka & Audzevicius have advised Lithuania-based SintraAi on its USD 17 million seed financing round, which saw the participation from Earlybird Ventures, Inovo VC, Practice Capital, and several angel investors from Silicon Valley and Central and Eastern Europe. Goodwin reportedly advised Earlybird Ventures. 

Sorainen has advised UAB Sostines Bokstai on the launch of the sixth tranche of its bond issue. 

Walless has advised Iron Wolf Capital on the launch of its EUR 100 million early-stage fund.

In a progressive move towards formalising seasonal and occasional work, the Assembly of North Macedonia has adopted a groundbreaking law to regulate temporary employment across key sectors. This legislative development aims to streamline the hiring process for temporary workers while ensuring they receive essential social security benefits.

Starting from 29 May 2025 a new Energy Law starts to apply in North Macedonia. This new regulatory framework serves for transposition of the Clean Energy Package into the national legislation and introducing major novelties, such as new development process for energy generation and storage capacities, integration of e-mobility to the electricity grid, additional possibilities for development of natural gas and heating networks, etc.

On 14 May 2025, significant changes were made to North Macedonia’s personal data protection legislation. The Assembly of the Republic passed an amendment to expand the nations where personal data can be shared freely, without facing third-country transfer restrictions.

On 17 March 2025, a new Regulation of the Moldovan Competition Council (the "MCC") on Economic Concentrations (the "New EC Regulation") entered into force in Moldova (as secondary legislation). It introduces several key changes aimed at enhancing the enforcement of competition legislation and increasing transparency. The New EC Regulation transposes several European Union regulations, including the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/914 of 20 April 2023 and the Commission Notice on a simplified treatment for certain concentrations 2023/C 160/01.

On 22 April 2025, Law No. 66/2025 on combating delayed performance of payment obligations in contracts between professionals or between professionals and public authorities was published ("Law No. 66").

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

PPPs represent a long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors, enabling more efficient construction, maintenance, and management of infrastructure, with an optimal distribution of risks and financial obligations.

The Draft Law on Mediation in the Sale and Lease of Real Estate, following public consultation in the summer of 2023, is expected to be submitted to Parliament for adoption shortly.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

MFW Fialek and DRV Legal have advised Jet Investment on the acquisition of a 65% stake in Plastiwell International.

Jasinski has advised Euro Styl on the Synteza Housing Estate development in Gdansk.

SSK&W, working with YPOG, has advised Quantum Systems on its acquisition of a majority stake in Weles Acoustics.

Act Legal Romania has advised Yokohama Rubber on the USD 35 million acquisition of an off-the-road tire production facility located in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania. 

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen has successfully represented OMV Petrom in a case confirming the legality of permitting procedures for the Neptun Deep project in Romania.

Former Managing Associate Cosmin Pohaci has been promoted to Partner at Ijdelea & Associates.

Contributed by Clifford Chance.

Contributed by Alrud.

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

In our previous practice, we have assisted clients in the course of implementation of AI systems (“AIS”), i.e., assessment of the impact of risks of AIS, especially in the medical and research sector. While working on these projects, we came to the conclusion that many companies overlook obligations or are not even aware of risks for safety, health and fundamental human rights which are tied to the implementation and use of high-risk AIS and can result in significant compliance risks under the applicable legal framework.

Mihaj, Ilic & Milanovic has promoted Jelena Papic and Bojan Jankovic to Partner.

Trademark protection represents one of the most important aspects of legal protection of business operations and brand identity in the Serbian market. By properly selecting and registering the appropriate type of trademark, rights holders ensure a competitive advantage, brand recognition, and consumer trust. In this article, we provide an overview of the basic types of trademarks under the current Law on Trademarks (Official Gazette of the RS No. 6/2020), with a special focus on practical aspects of their application.

Kinstellar has advised Mitiska REIM investment fund Mitiska European Real Estate Partners 3 on the entry of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development into a joint venture with property developer OPC Group for the development and operation of five retail parks in Slovakia.

According to a preliminary legislative notice issued by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic and published on 15 May 2025, the Ministry is preparing a draft law on pay transparency.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Slovenia’s dynamic political environment is keeping the legal market on its toes, with pressing developments in taxation, employment law, cybersecurity, capital markets, and infrastructure all demanding close attention, according to Peterka Partners Senior Associate and Head of Slovenian office Pia Florjancic Pozeg Vancas.

Sibincic, Novak & Partners and Doklestic, Repic & Gajin have advised Intersport ISI on its exit from the Serbian market via the sale of its stores to N Sport. Mrakovic, Markovic & Partners advised N Sport.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is currently witnessing a substantial increase in the development of Class A office spaces. Over the next three years, the city is set to introduce more than 100,000 square meters of new Class A office spaces. These developments are characterized by modern designs and a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to achieve energy certifications that are crucial for ESG compliance.

White & Case and its Turkish affiliate law firm GKC Partners have advised joint bookrunners Citigroup Global Markets, Emirates NBD Capital, HSBC Bank, ING Bank, and BofA Securities on the USD 300 million Rule 144A/Reg S Eurobond issuance by Cimko Cimento ve Beton Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised Citigroup Global Markets Europe, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, and J.P. Morgan as joint bookrunners and joint lead managers, as well as The Law Debenture Trust Corporation as trustee, on the EUR 700 million issuance of 8% senior guaranteed green notes by Energo-Pro. Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, advised the issuer. BLC Law Office and White & Case and its Turkish affiliate law firm GKC Partners reportedly advised the issuer and guarantors. Boyanov & Co, and reportedly BGI Advisory Services, advised the joint bookrunners, the joint lead managers, and the trustee as well.

Paksoy, working with King & Spalding, has advised Dow on the USD 125 million sale of its 50% stake in DowAksa Advanced Composites Holdings to Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii, a subsidiary of Akkok Holding. Addleshaw Goddard advised Aksa Akrilik.

Redcliffe Partners’ competition practice is driven by increased enforcement and transactional activities, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, retail, and agribusiness, according to Co-Head of Competition Yuriy Terentyev. Key factors include regulatory changes, strategic investments, and Ukraine's alignment with EU competition law, which have spurred demand for merger control assessments and compliance advice.

Digest of recent legislative developments in the fields of energy and natural resources.

LCF Law Group has successfully represented Inzhur Energy in overturning a court-imposed ban on the construction of a distributed generation power plant near Kyiv.