CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Did you know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, a total of eleven law firms and five individual lawyers worked on five or more reported Serbian client matters in 2023?
By its decision dated 29 December 2023, the Serbian Competition Commission determined that the companies KTG Solucije and Eco Sense from the town of Subotica (in Serbia) entered into a restrictive agreement by colluding in public procurement procedures (i.e., bid rigging).
On 28 December 2023, the Agency for the Protection of Competition of Montenegro (the “Agency”) adopted a decision regarding its finding that the pricelist adopted by the Association of Tourist Agencies of Montenegro (the “Association”) concerning services provided by the tourist agencies amounts to a restrictive agreement by object under the Montenegrin Competition Law.
Albania is currently contemplating the revision of its existing legislation on industrial property currently regulated by one single law i.e., Law no. 9947, dated 7.7.2008 “On Industrial Property”, as amended. The existing law governs all domains of industrial property and business secrets, including patents of invention, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications.
Karanovic & Partners has advised Doehler on its acquisition of Frikos. Reportedly, Four Legal advised the sellers.
On December 15, 2023, JPM & Partners announced that Slovenian Big Bang's acquisition of Serbian online retailer BC Group (reported by CEE Legal Matters on September 1, 2023) had closed.
n November 2023 the Government of Montenegro proposed amendments to the CIT Law (Proposal).
Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, and Dentons have advised the EBRD on its agreement with Croatia’s Mplus Group regarding a EUR 60 million investment for a 28.3% stake in M Plus Croatia. Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac and White & Case advised the Mplus Group, including M Plus Croatia and its majority shareholder Meritus Ulaganja.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) and the World Bank are among the international financial institutions spearheading a 3-billion-euro plan to wean North Macedonia off its reliance on coal. The “Just Energy Transition Investment Program” (JET-P) plan follows the footsteps of several other countries in efforts to retire coal power plants, with the joint support of the government, as well as public lenders and private investors.
Karanovic & Partners has advised BIG CEE on its acquisition of two retail parks in Serbia – NEST Obrenovac and NEST Kraljevo – from RC Europe. Djokic+Partners advised RC Europe.
On Friday, 17 November, the Minister for transport and communications of North Macedonia, Mr Blagoj Bochvarski, and the Minister for construction, transport and infrastructure of Serbia, Mr Goran Vesić, signed a Memorandum for the Construction of a Fast Railway from Niš to Skopje.
Harrisons, working alongside CMS, has advised the EBRD on a EUR 27.6 million loan to District Center doo Beograd and PKS-LATEX-HLC doo Cacak. Karanovic and Partners advised District Center doo Beograd and PKS-LATEX-HLC doo Cacak.
The Serbian National Assembly has adopted amendments to the Law on Personal Income (PIT Law) and the Law on Mandatory Social Contributions (SSC Law) extending the deadlines for payroll incentives.
Karanovic & Partners has advised Rudis on the construction of the Alibunar I wind farm development. Karanovic & Partners also advised PLC Internergo, which will purchase energy produced in the wind farm on the basis of a long-term PPA.
The Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China officially signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 17 October 2023.
Tender Opportunities in North Macedonia
Karanovic & Partners has advised Burger King on entering the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the opening of its first restaurant in Sarajevo.
In the wake of catastrophic floods, Slovenia has been grappling with several legal and economic challenges as well – from implementing healthcare reform to combating high inflation – according to Minu Anamaria Gvardjancic, a Partner of Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic.
Karanovic & Partners is a regional legal practice in Southeast Europe with a tradition spanning over 25 years and cooperating offices in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania. With more than 150 attorneys at law working together across the region, we take pride in our work, dedication, and understanding of our clients' industries and needs.
We work with some of the most respected and reputable businesses in the world, banks, as well as governments, state-owned entities, start-ups, and NGOs. We see our clients as long-term partners. We focus on straightforward solutions and tailor-made advice. Lawyers cooperating with us are fully immersed in our clients’ culture and industry to ensure that the work is delivered intelligently and reliably.
In our company culture, excellence is a must. We are reliable, adaptive, and fast. We operate under the “one team” principle, combining our regional reach and local know-how to deliver coordinated legal advice necessary for achieving our clients’ goals.
We are ambitious to propose innovative legal solutions and we are at the forefront of legal developments in Southeast Europe, pioneering new areas of the law and paving the way for new practices and regulations.