Greenberg Traurig has represented Animex Foods and Agri Plus on the sale of part of their goose processing business to Cedrob.

The Commission for Protection of the Competition of North Macedonia (CPC) has significantly intensified its enforcement activities in the food retail sector, signalling a stricter regulatory approach toward potential anti-competitive behaviour.

Asters has advised the International Finance Corporation on the restructuring of a USD 120 million loan facility provided to Nibulon. Baker Botts reportedly advised Nibulon.

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. 

Walless has advised Saare Wind Energy on securing the seabed use rights for an offshore wind farm project in Estonia. 

Walless has advised Milgard Capital on obtaining a license from the Bank of Lithuania to operate as a manager of Collective Investment Undertakings for informed investors.

E+H has advised Munich-based investment firm VTC on its acquisition of NBG Group from NBG Bauer as part of a broader succession plan. Hasch & Partner advised NBG Bauer. DKFE Attorneys at Law acted as one of the trustees and also advised the other trustee, acting for the financing banks’ syndicate. BPV Huegel reportedly advised NBG Group.

Dentons has advised Qair Polska on securing up to PLN 575 million (EUR 135 million) in financing from Brookfield for the acquisition of the Rzepin and Linowo wind farms with a combined capacity of 106 megawatts, the refinancing of existing mezzanine debt, and the further development of wind, solar, and storage projects in Poland. Norton Rose Fulbright advised Brookfield.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Avellum has advised Grupa Pracuj on obtaining merger clearance from the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine for its further investment in Work Ukraine, the operator of Work.ua.

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

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.

“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.

The recently issued decision of the Ukrainian Supreme Court addresses the enforcement of Ukrainian sanctions in relation to foreign corporate structures and ownership chains involving a sanctioned person.

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

E+H has advised Munich-based investment firm VTC on its acquisition of NBG Group from NBG Bauer as part of a broader succession plan. Hasch & Partner advised NBG Bauer. DKFE Attorneys at Law acted as one of the trustees and also advised the other trustee, acting for the financing banks’ syndicate. BPV Huegel reportedly advised NBG Group.

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. 

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.

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. 

Musat & Asociatii has won an appeal before the High Court of Cassation and Justice against a prior decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, allowing the retrial of the review application in the case concerning the torturers of Romanian anti-communist dissident Gheorghe Ursu.

Ellex has offered pro bono representation in a same-sex parenthood case before the national courts in Lithuania, resulting in the first-ever recognition of same-sex parents.

On April 22, 2024, Everlegal announced it had been appointed to provide legal support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – the UN Refugee Agency – for its activities in Ukraine.

Lambadarios has advised the four systemic Greek banks Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank, and the National Bank of Greece on the EUR 1.3 billion financing of the new Northern Road Axis of Crete. Marinos Petroulias advised the developer, GEK Terna.

Wardynski & Partners has advised ICEYE on the contract to supply a MicroSAR Satellite Earth Observation System to the Polish Armed Forces.

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.

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

Austria continues to experience a wave of significant insolvencies, stretching court resources and prompting comparisons to past recessions. Recent legal frameworks have introduced new possibilities for restructuring, though so far with limited uptake. Taylor Wessing Counsel & Head of Insolvency Andreas Howadt examines both the immediate pressures – rising liabilities, high-profile failures, and logistical strains – and the evolving legal environment looking ahead to 2025.

JDP has advised Apleona Group on reorganization of its Polish companies. 

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

HR sci-fi is unfolding before our eyes: there is no doubt that HR technologies represent one of the fastest-evolving segments of digitalization and artificial intelligence. Today, it’s entirely common for candidates to be interviewed by AI chatbots, payroll processes to be assisted by AI-based software, and predictive analytics powered by AI to be used in workforce planning. While progress cannot be halted, it's essential to pay close attention to legal compliance requirements during this hyperspace-speed transformation—otherwise, poorly executed digitalization could lead to serious headaches.

Pekin & Pekin has advised Arda Turan on his recent appointment as Head Coach of Ukrainian club FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

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.

On 26 May 2025, the Hungarian Government published Government Decree 110/2025. (V. 26.) (the Decree), introducing a mandatory centralised inventory management regime for medical consumables used by public healthcare institutions. The Decree amends the regulatory framework under:

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

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.

Glatzova & Co has successfully represented Kara Trutnov in a tax dispute before the Supreme Administrative Court.

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.

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

Greenberg Traurig has advised private debt funds managed by CVI and Flexam Invest on the financing provided to CTL Logistics via a senior secured bond issuance. Wardynski & Partners advised Flexam Invest as well. Clifford Chance and CMS advised CTL Logistics.

Kocian, Solc, Balastik has advised Gridarch on the sale of a 110,000-square-meter land plot located within the Ostrava Airport Multimodal Park to EQT Exeter.

Pohla & Hallmagi, working with Wikborg Rein, has advised Marine Energy Solutions on its acquisition of the PRIME oil tanker. Reed Smith reportedly advised the unidentified sellers.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos announced that the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund's sale of a 67% stake in the Heraklion Port Authority to a consortium consisting of Grimaldi Euromed and Minoan Lines (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on January 11, 2024) closed on September 18, 2024.

PeliPartners has advised Bogdan Idu and his group companies on the sale of an LPG maritime terminal in Romania to Nawaf Salameh Family Office Group.

E+H has advised Munich-based investment firm VTC on its acquisition of NBG Group from NBG Bauer as part of a broader succession plan. Hasch & Partner advised NBG Bauer. DKFE Attorneys at Law acted as one of the trustees and also advised the other trustee, acting for the financing banks’ syndicate. BPV Huegel reportedly advised NBG Group.

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. 

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.

Sayenko Kharenko has provided pro bono support for a cultural initiative that aims to set war-time poems, written by Ukrainian defenders, to music. 

Musat & Asociatii has won an appeal before the High Court of Cassation and Justice against a prior decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, allowing the retrial of the review application in the case concerning the torturers of Romanian anti-communist dissident Gheorghe Ursu.

Ellex has offered pro bono representation in a same-sex parenthood case before the national courts in Lithuania, resulting in the first-ever recognition of same-sex parents.

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

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. 

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.

Glatzova & Co has successfully represented Kara Trutnov in a tax dispute before the Supreme Administrative Court.

As of 2025, the Hungarian Tax Authority (NAV) has established specialized transfer pricing expert departments, indicating an increased focus and scrutiny on transactions between affiliated companies. The three new departments are located in Budapest and in the eastern and western parts of Hungary (one in each region) and have special competence regarding the complex transaction between affiliated parties within Hungary or cross-border alike.

With the rise of digital platforms and the possibilities that the internet provides for businesses, more and more sellers are able to offer goods and services via these platforms and the internet. In this context, it has been difficult for the Ukrainian tax authorities to trace the flow of goods and services as well as to identify sellers to ensure that these goods and services are duly taxed.

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. 

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.

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.

Co-founded by Partners Adrian Georgescu and Ionut Gont, white collar boutique law firm Georgescu Gont has opened for business in Bucharest.

Galya Gugusheva has joined Gugushev & Partners as a Senior Partner.

CEE Legal Matters is proud to introduce the latest in our Comparative Guides series. This one focuses on Bribery & Corruption in CEE.