In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

Discussing how the energy markets are evolving – diversifying, moving away from dependence on Russian gas, and becoming ever-greener – CMS Partners Horea Popescu, Blazej Zagorski, Thomas Hamerl, and Maria Orlyk take a deep dive into the dynamic shifts in the energy landscape post-2022.

As 2023 comes to a close, reflections on the year reveal challenges and achievements across Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii Managing Partner Gabriel Zbarcea, Schoenherr Bulgaria Local Partner Ilko Stoyanov, and Avellum Managing Partner Mykola Stetsenko share their thoughts on what kind of a year it has been.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As we bid farewell to 2023, this time around we turn our attention forward: What is your one main wish for 2024 and what do you see as the biggest potential risk?

In our Looking In series, we talk to Partners from outside CEE who are keeping an eye on the region (and often pop up in our deal ticker) to learn how they perceive CEE markets and their evolution. For this issue, we sat down with Slaughter and May Partners Jonathan Marks and Richard Jones.

The Romanian High Court has recently settled a long-standing legal debate over the conditions for holding administrators personally liable in cases of improper bookkeeping of an insolvent company. This issue has been a point of contention within the legal system since 1995, creating divergence in jurisprudence that required resolution.

Leaua Damcali Deaconu Paunescu, working with Geneva-based Lalive, has successfully represented Romania in an ICSID arbitration case against gold mine operator Gabriel Resources, whose claims amounted to approximately USD 6.7 billion.

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has successfully assisted former WTA world number one tennis player Simona Halep before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a matter regarding her suspension for alleged violations of anti-doping rules.

Stratulat Albulescu has advised Spanish logistics operator ESP Solutions on its acquisition of the Autransa Group.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen has advised a syndicate of banks on providing a EUR 101.5 million loan facility to the RodBun Group, by refinancing and increasing its existing facilities by EUR 37.14 million. Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii advised the RodBun Group.

Stratulat Albulescu has advised the American Industrial Partners Capital Fund VII on its acquisition of Veoneer's Restraint Control Systems business.

Following almost four years of consultations and debates, on March 29, 2023, Romania’s Government has submitted for the adoption of the Senate the draft law on the Code of Land Planning, Urbanism and Construction (the “Urbanism Code”).

The Urban Planning, Urbanism, and Construction Code (“Urban Planning Code”) is a complex law project that aims to consolidate, reform, and standardize legislation in the construction sector. The Urban Planning Code draft bill is currently under parliamentary debate. Among the proposed reforms are the digitalization and simplification of the building permitting process.

The recent practice in the field has shown that the expenses with intragroup services are currently one of the main topics addressed during tax audits and, at the same time, one of the main topics generating tax controversies.

On 16 January 2024, the Law No. 17/2024 amending and supplementing Law No. 237/2015 on the authorisation and supervision of insurance and reinsurance activities, as well as amending and supplementing certain regulatory acts was published in Official Gazette Of Romania No. 36., aiming to strengthen the protection of both policyholders and beneficiaries by ensuring the stability of the insurance market and a greater degree of predictability in the development of each individual company and the insurance market as a whole.

Dentons has advised Syntaxis Capital on its exit from the XP oil and gas company. Leroy si Asociatii reportedly advised XP.

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has successfully represented Azomures before Romania's High Court of Cassation and Justice in a dispute hinging on intra-group tax relations.

Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu has advised Arobs Transilvania Software on the acquisition of Infobest Romania from founders Yvonne Abstoss-Becker and Christian Becker. Filip & Company, working with PPR & Partner Pape Rauh, advised the sellers.