CEE Legal Matters In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets 
The Karmen Rebesco law firm has advised mandated lead arrangers Nova Ljubljanska Banka and Privredna Banka Zagreb on the provision of a EUR 200 million syndicated loan to Petrol Ljubljana. Jadek & Pensa and Ulcar & Partners advised Petrol Ljubljana on the deal.
As the COVID-19 pandemic globally swept away the business-as-usual concept, many countries, including Croatia, were faced with a rising problem of workplace-based COVID-19 transmissions. Croatia had a remote work (RW) framework initially introduced in 2003, but its application in practice was considered rather exotic. Once RW became one of the main workplace-related responses to COVID-19, authorities and employers were suddenly faced with interpretation and implementation problems. As a temporary solution, the Ministry of Labor and Pension System (Ministry) issued a number of opinions regarding the RW regime. These opinions were intended to loosen the regulatory grip, usually by turning a blind eye to unambiguous and mandatory statutory requirements, for example, by interpreting that a pandemic constitutes such circumstances under which employers are allowed to unilaterally impose a RW regime.
Back in September 2021, the revised Act on the prohibition of unfair trading practices in the business-to-business food supply chain (the "UTPs Act") entered into force. As in all other EU Member States, the Croatian UTPs Act was revised to bring Croatia's legal framework in the area of unfair trading practices in business-to-business relations in the agricultural and food supply chain into compliance with the UTPs Directive.
Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised Turkey's Havas Ground Handling on its acquisition of MZLZ Ground Handling Services in Croatia.
Vukmir & Associates has advised OYO Rooms on its acquisition of Direct Booker. Deloitte Legal Network member Krehic & Partners advised the sellers on the deal.
Savoric & Partners has advised Studenac on its acquisition of Pemo from founder Lovorko Milosevic. Buterin & Posavec reportedly advised the seller.
The biggest story in Croatia, according to Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic Partner Martina Prpic, is the preparatory work for the upcoming switch to EUR as the official currency, complemented by EU-driven updates impacting consumer protection, agriculture, and the upcoming tourist season.
Former Senior Associate Mia Kalajdzic has been appointed Partner and Head of the Employment practice area group at CMS Croatia, while former Senior Associate Sasa Sodja was appointed Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A practice at CMS Slovenia.
On January 26, DTB announced that United Group's acquisition of the majority stake in Optima Telekom (reported by CEE Legal Matters on July 16, 2021) has now closed.
Sustainable finance is at the very heart of the financial system ensuring financial service providers offer green products and push them and the corporate businesses to be greener, to reach a higher level of social and corporate relevance when making investment or financing decisions.
CMS has advised Privredna Banka Zagreb on refinancing and acquisition financing for the Danilo and Rudine wind farms. Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic has advised buyer Professio Energia on the acquisition, financing, and refinancing the existing loans from the IFC and Unicredit Bank Austria. Schoenherr advised the sellers, Mirova and RP Global. Ostermann & Partners and White & Case advised the IFC and Unicredit.
The Croatian tech sector has been booming lately. With Rimac and Infobip achieving unicorn status, several other tech companies well on their way to a valuation above EUR 1 billion, and the recent successful listing of several IT companies, it seems like the Croatian tech party is going strong, and everyone is invited.
Kinstellar has announced it is entering the Croatian market by integrating the Zuric i Partneri (ZiP) law firm. While the local firm will keep its name, "ZiP is now a fully integrated office of Kinstellar."
Savoric & Partners has advised Deltron on its 80% sale to Beijer Ref. Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, advised Beijer Ref on the deal.
Nebojsa Vitez and Luka Porobija have been promoted to Equity Partners at Porobija & Spoljaric as of January 1, 2022.
Marohnic, Tomek & Gjoic has advised Immofinanz on the acquisition of ENS Development in Croatia. Andelovic, Siketic & Tomic advised the sellers on the deal.
Norton Rose Fulbright, Krehic & Partners, and Magnusson have advised Inter Cars on the extension, increase, and reorganization of senior facilities in the aggregate amount of PLN 1.84 billion. Clifford Chance advised the financing consortium.
Contributed by Hanzekovic & Partners.
Čipčić-Bragadin Mesić & Associates is one of the leading law firms in Croatia that serve companies, credit & financial institutions and public entities. We have been recommended and recognized as the legal experts and service leaders by many leading international legal guides for more than 15 consecutive years. With roots dating from 1928. we now probably have more tradition, experience and market presence than almost any other law firm in Croatia. We work closely with the leading international law firms and consultants so we’re able to manage complex, cross-border projects and deals seamlessly and successfully. Around 85% of our clients are international enterprises doing business in Croatia. List of our clients include some of the world-renowned companies such as Amazon Europe Core, China Machinery Engineering Corporation, Tate & Lyle, Nafta a.s., Unilever Croatia, Unilever Hungary, Lenovo, Innoenergy CE, Flixmobility, Flixbus CEE South, Okoenergie Group, CTC Holding, Bunge Limited, Chipita, Rolls-Royce, Canvas Holidays, Vacalianselect, Redgate Software, Red gate Investment, Yahoo!, Aston Martin Lagonda, Domino Printing UK, Domino Printing Sciences, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Barclays Bank, HSBC, State Street Bank, Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Suisse, Bank of America Merill Lynch, Standard Chartered, Och-Ziff Capital Management, Amundi Asset Management, Altima International, Red Arc Global Investments, SMBC Nikko Capital Partners, Royal Bank of Scotland, Morgan Stanley International, J.P. Morgan group, Allianz Global Investors, Schroders, Macquarie Bank, Digital Finance International, Winton Capital Management, Citibank, Invesco Asset Management Österreich, Croatian Pension Investment Company, Unicredit Bank AG etc. We enjoy learning about our clients’ businesses and want to understand them completely so we can provide the best possible and complete service.
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