A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of… the Unitary Patent. With Germany having deposited its ratification document on 17 February 2023, this spectre is finally coming to life: the European Patent with Unitary Effect ("Unitary Patent") and the Unified Patent Court ("UPC") system will enter their preparatory phase. The actual launch date (the date as of which Unitary Patents will be in effect and actions can be filed with the UPC) is set for 1 June 2023.

2022 was a busy year marked by the late effects of the covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The latter has led to the rethinking of energy matters. Austrian legislation in 2022 was, therefore, characterised above all by new developments and amendments in energy law, with a focus on the expansion of renewable energy. This article is part of a series on developments in Austrian environment and climate change law in 2022 and, in particular, focuses on legislative developments.

Schoenherr has advised Eurobank Greece on the sale of a commercial real estate asset in Iasi, Romania, to the real estate division of the Radacini Group.

Schoenherr, working with Raue, has advised Allmyhomes on establishing a joint venture with a consortium of Austrian real estate experts operating as Allmyhomes Venture Partner AT. Frimmel Anetter Schaal reportedly advised the consortium.

In 2021 Romania adopted its new legislative framework introducing a deposit-return system applicable to non-refillable primary packaging made of glass, plastic or metal with volumes between 0.1l and 3l inclusive, containing water, juice or alcoholic beverages ("DRS").

Wolf Theiss has advised Austrian state holding company OeBAG on the extension of its partnership with America Movil concerning Telekom Austria. Schoenherr reportedly advised Telekom Austria.

New amendments to the packaging waste legislation were promulgated in the 100th issue of the Bulgarian State Gazette dated 16 December 2022. The amendments are in the Ordinance on Packaging and Packaging Waste (the "Ordinance") and are officially in force as of 20 December 2022.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, nine law firms in Central and Eastern Europe got off to an exceptionally strong start in 2023, with five client matters or more reported on by CEE Legal Matters in the first month of the year alone?

In this article, we will review some long-awaited changes in Bulgarian legislation, as well as one particularly interesting precedent from the Supreme Court of Cassation case law. These were the highlights of autumn 2022 and we expect them to influence the development of national legislation in the field of healthcare/life sciences and consumer protection.

Considering the current state of affairs in CEE, market dynamics have shifted in terms of where investors are looking for safe investment opportunities, with some sectors seeing steadier capital flows and others struggling. Our experts chart the current hotspots and consider whether the markets are set to shift again.

Klara Kiehl, Clemens Rainer, Sascha Schulz, and Marco Thorbauer have been appointed as Schoenherr Partners in Austria, while Serbia's Jelena Arsic, Jovan Barovic, and Dusan Obradovic, Bulgaria's Tsvetan Krumov, and Hungary's Laszlo Krupl have all been appointed as Local Partners with the firm.

Schoenherr has advised Nofar Energy on its acquisition of a 73-megawatt solar photovoltaic project in Slobozia, Giurgiu county.

In recent months, we have seen several regulatory initiatives impacting the Czech online business environment. There is a lot to unpack, which is why we have prepared a series of Legal Insights to help you understand what will change in 2023.

Schoenherr has advised Gropyus on its EUR 100 million Series B financing round led by Vonovia. Cerha Hempel advised Vonovia.

Schoenherr and Norton Rose Fulbright, working with Davis Polk & Wardwell and Ashurst, have advised JP Morgan Chase and other financing parties on the refinancing of Diebold Nixdorf debt and the provision of USD 400 million in new capital. Sullivan & Cromwell and K2Legal Korbonski i Partnerzy reportedly advised the borrower.

Schoenherr has advised Metro on its acquisition of a 25% stake in Kosik Holding with a 5% option on top if Kosik expands into other CEE markets in collaboration with Metro. White & Case reportedly advised Kosik.

Cerha Hempel has advised ARE Austrian Real Estate on the acquisition of an office and hotel building in Vienna from Generali Real Estate. Schoenherr advised Generali.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov worked on 15 reported client matters in Bulgaria in 2022 – more than any other law firm?