In a recent legal resolution, an author, a mechanical engineer employed to oversee the printing machinery at a prominent publishing house, found himself at the heart of an unexpected ghostwriting controversy.

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.

Although not recognized in domestic legislation for a long time, freelancers finally saw a resolution to their long-standing battle for legal recognition of their status by the end of 2022. Amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax (“Law”), which followed months of protests and negotiations with relevant authorities, officially established and regulated the status of this category of workers. This legal framework now clearly defines their rights and obligations in a transparent manner.

The Parliament of the Republic of Serbia recently adopted amendments to the Law on Payment Services (“Law”) that will start to apply from 6 May 2025 (“Amendments”). By the Amendments, the Law is harmonised with the EU’s PSD2. The key goal of the Amendments is the enhancement of innovations on the market and securing increased competition and transparency in the area of payment services, as well as better protection of payment services users and payment security. Below we provide an overview of the main novelties brought by the Amendments.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With managing firm clients being a critical aspect of firms’ operations, we asked: What are the three most important elements when onboarding a new client?

Serbia’s booming construction sector and ongoing infrastructure projects establish it as a vital economic hub in the region. In 2023, construction works valued at over EUR 5 billion contributed around 5.5% to the national GDP. The country’s strategic location and ambitious infrastructure plans have attracted significant foreign investment. With projects like highways, railways, and energy facilities underway, Serbia is strengthening its position as a critical economic connector in Southeast Europe.

In accordance with the Law on Charges on Usage of Public Goods (“Law“), the Government of the Republic of Serbia, in April 2024, adopted the Regulation on Criteria for Determining Activities that Impact the Environment and the Amounts of Fees (“Regulation“).

Serbian law firm DNVG Attorneys has joined the Visegrad Legal network.

Schoenherr has advised Austrotherm GmbH on the merger control filings for the acquisition of the EPS insulation business unit of the Austrian insulation manufacturer Brucha.

Schoenherr has advised BlackPeak Capital and Catalyst Romania Fund II on a EUR 10 million Series B funding for Leanpay.

NKO Partners has advised CTP on its sixth land acquisition in and around Novi Sad, with the latest acquisition from 11 different individuals taking place in the Kac industrial zone.

What do Panama, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Serbia have in common? A shipment of over 5,000 high-quality athletic sneakers travelled through these countries before being halted at customs over authenticity concerns.

As a result of major market changes, business entities more often suspend their operations and become insolvent, during which arises the question of the collectability of the claims of their creditors and associates, as well as persons who are in other relationships with such insolvent business entities.

ZSP Advokati has promoted Jasna Milosavljevic, Jelisaveta Stanisic, and Nikola Sugaris to Partners.

Moravcevic, Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr has advised Fortis Renewable Energy on the acquisition of a 180-megawatt solar power plant in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia.

MMD Advokati has advised APS Quattro Holding on the sale of Vantage Leasing to Alta Banka. Stanivuk & Manasijevski advised Alta Banka.

BDK Advokati has advised Seyfor on the acquisition of 70% equity in the Serbian IT company M&I Systems. Stanivukovic reportedly advised the sellers.

Serbia’s 2020 Trademark Law introduced a novel provision to local law: the trademark holders have been explicitly empowered to claim profit surrender in cases where the infringement was not intentional or grossly negligent.