Squire Patton Boggs has successfully represented the Republic of Croatia before an International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes tribunal against a EUR 200 million claim brought by Marko Mihaljevic.

Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners has advised the mandated lead arrangers on the restructuring of facilities granted for the Istrian Y motorway concession project.

Contributed by Deloitte Legal.

Despite the challenges, Croatia’s M&A market appears to hold promise in 2023 – particularly in the retail, IT, and renewables sectors – according to Ostermann & Partners Managing Partner Mojmir Ostermann.

BDK Advokati has advised Integrator majority shareholder Aleksandar Hangiman on the sale of the company to Meritus. Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac reportedly advised Meritus.

CMS has advised Best in Parking and its majority shareholder Breiteneder Immobilien Parking on receiving a minority investment from Macquarie Asset Management. Linklaters advised Macquarie Asset Management.

On April 28, 2023, CMS announced that PPD and INA’s sale of TMF – the largest shareholder of Croatian fertilizer company Petrokemija – to the Yildirim Group (reported by CEE Legal Matters on November 22, 2022), had closed.

Ketler & Partners, a member of Karanovic, and Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners have advised the Volution Group on its acquisition of I-Vent in Slovenia and Croatia for EUR 25.2 million on a debt-free cash-free basis from Milan Kuster. Zagorc & Partners advised Kuster on the sale.

Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners has advised ALS on its acquisition of Hidro.Lab.

Kinstellar and ODI Law, working with Morgan Lewis London, have advised TAWAL on its bid to acquire the Bulgarian, Croatian, and Slovenian tower assets of the United Group for EUR 1.2 billion. Jadek and Pensa and Bradvica, Maric, Wahl, Cesarec advised the United Group. Paul Weiss and Kambourov and Partners reportedly advised United as well.

On April 28, 2023, CEE Legal Matters reported that Tarja Krehic had left the Deloitte Legal network to set up a new law firm in Zagreb. We spoke with Krehic shortly afterward to learn more about the concluded cooperation, the intricacies of her new agenda, and the plans for her firm going forward.

Tarja Krehic of Krehic & Partners has left the Deloitte Legal Network to set up Law Office Krehic in Zagreb.

Croatian Consumer Protection Act authorizes qualified entities such as consumer organizations and public authorities to bring civil proceedings against traders or trade associations engaged in practices that violate Croatian consumer protection laws. Under the current regime, the competent court is authorized to (i) establish that the infringement occurred, (ii) order the respondent (e.g., trader) to cease the prohibited behaviour and, if possible, to adopt measures necessary to eliminate the harmful effects of respondent’s prohibited conduct, and (iii) prohibit any such or similar future behaviour.

As Lexpo – The Legal Innovation Event returns in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, showcasing the latest trends in legal innovation in Continental Europe, CEELM spoke with Dentons Europe Director of Innovation and Member of Lexpo's Advisory Board Andrea Miskolczi to gain an insight into the current state of technology and innovation in CEE, and what the event's attendees have to look forward to.

New amendments entered into force in relation to the Croatian land registry legislation.

Ellex has advised Estonian software company GT Tarkvara on its sale to Croatia's Span. Rask advised Span on the deal.

The Croatian office of Peterka & Partners opened its doors in Zagreb on March 1, 2023, with the addition of Attorney At Law Anja Haramija, formerly of Buterin & Partners, who will lead the firm's Croatian operations.

Croatia's labor market is experiencing an intense early 2023, as a new set of various amendments – including regulations prohibiting retail work on Sundays and public holidays – is about to take effect, according to Babic & Partners Partner Marija Gregoric.