Vukmir & Associates has advised Erste & Steiermarkische Bank d.d. and Zagrebacka banka d.d. on their provision of a EUR 24 million club loan to the Arena Hospitality Group.

A freely-accessible public healthcare system has always been considered one of the pillars of the modern welfare state. However, the dearth of adequate managerial skills and advance planning within the healthcare framework has often led to systemic problems, like issues with financing for a system that is regarded as a public service by users and a private business by service suppliers. This problem has once again resurfaced in the Croatian health sector, with debts accumulated by public hospitals and pharmacies standing in the way of a regular supply of medicinal products and medical devices by manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies.

“What do you call 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the sea? A good start.” This popular joke underlines the low public perception of lawyers that remains common in today’s society. Although distrust toward lawyers has always existed, frivolous lawsuits, rising billing rates, and thrilling reports of lawyers behaving badly in the news do little to improve the public image of attorneys, especially in CEE.

CMS' Malgorzata Surdek-Janicka has been appointed as Vice-President of the International Court of Arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. Aside from Surdek-Janicka, 33 lawyers from CEE were appointed as members and alternate members of the court.

Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised the IFC on its EUR 75 million investment in bonds issued by the Erste & Steiermarkische Bank.

Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised the United Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in Optima Telekom from Hrvatski Telekom and Zagrebacka Banka. Madirazza and Partners advised Hrvatski Telekom and Zagrebacka Banka.

Squire Patton Boggs and KHS Kunstek, Halle & Simac have advised Croatian Rimac Automobili on its combination with French automotive brand Bugatti Automobiles, a subsidiary of German Volkswagen Group, to create a new auto company – Bugatti Rimac. CMS advised the Volkswagen Group, which owns Bugatti, on the deal.

Dentons has advised PKO Bank Polski, ING Bank Slaski, Santander Bank Polska, and BNP Paribas Bank Polska, on their EUR 265 million refinancing of Press Glass / AMG Group’s debt, as well as financing of the group’s further investments. Porobija & Porobija acted as Croatian counsel to the banks. Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka advised the borrower on the deal. TGS Baltic in Lithuania and Williams Mullen in the US reportedly also advised the lenders.

Allen & Overy has advised CEE betting and gaming operator Fortuna Entertainment Group N.V. and its subsidiaries, on an up to EUR 551 million refinancing for the group. RTPR, Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, Athos Demetriou Associates, and Carey Olsen advised the group in Romania, Croatia, Cyprus, and Jersey, respectively.

Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised the Croatian subsidiary of M7 Real Estate on the acquisition of two urban logistics assets in Zagreb on behalf of the CEREF II fund. 

Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised Croatian hotel operator Villa Dubrovnik on its offer of 830,019 ordinary shares on the Zagreb Stock Exchange.

With the municipal and county elections in Croatia resulting in a change of guards of sorts, Vukelic Law Office Partner Luka Vukelic explains how it might affect the Adriatic country going forward, while also sharing developments regarding the country's newest unicorn.

Vukmir & Associates, working with Covington & Burling and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, has advised on Croatian aspects of the spinoff of Merck’s women’s health business, now operating under the name Organon. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised Merck as well.

Vukmir & Associates has successfully represented the Museum of Illusions in challenging a decision by the Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office at the EU General Court.

The global pandemic has impacted all markets, with subsequent ramifications for M&A. Investors are now seeking greater protection against general lock-downs and supply-chain disruptions, while governments aim to protect critical supplies and services by imposing new regulations on foreign investment in crucial or strategic industries.

Wolf Theiss and Spain's Uria Menendez have advised Spain's Glovo on its EUR 170 million acquisition of Delivery Hero's food delivery service businesses in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia. Cuatrecasas advised Delivery Hero.

Just over a year ago, 2020 was shaping up to be a good one for the Croatian Transportation and Infrastructure sector. Croatia was presiding over the Council of the EU, and the Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure, one of its most active ministries, had several interesting projects in the pipeline. Osijek was due to become the first 5G city in Croatia by year’s end, and major investment deals were planned to strengthen existing road and railway infrastructure. But then COVID-19 happened and dealt a complicated hand to both transport and infrastructure.

Krehic & Partners in cooperation with Deloitte Legal has advised Slovenia's Iskra on its acquisition of Croatia's Elka Cables from Cotra d.o.o and Miljenko Hacek.