Austria is witnessing a slowdown of its economy and increased reorganization and restructuring activities – impacting various sectors – while legislative changes introduce a new corporate entity and consider remote court hearings, according to Binder Groesswang Managing Partner Andreas Hable.

The rising interest rates in Slovenia are reshaping the banking sector, while the renewables sector is looking at potentially clear skies and the M&A sector is experiencing vibrant SME activity on account of a generational change, according to Sibincic Krizanec Novak Partner Matic Novak.

Moldova's legislative landscape is undergoing a period of significant transformation driven by the government's efforts to align with EU acquis, with key developments including amendments to limited liability company laws, the introduction of contactless business legislation, data protection changes, and comprehensive judicial reforms, according to Stratulat Albulescu Partner Sabina Cerbu.

Critical legislative occurrences in Bosnia & Herzegovina – primarily focusing on the Constitutional Court, the electricity sector, as well as e-money – are the talk of the town, according to Dimitrijevic & Partners Partner Nina Vjestica.

The summer slowdown in North Macedonia has not dented interest in the energy sector, with several renewable energy initiatives on the docket, while a new law on expert findings and data protection fines are making a splash, according to Apostolska Aleksandrovski & Partners Partner Svetlana Trendova.

Bulgaria's economic landscape appears to be evolving rapidly, driven by a proactive government and a series of long-overdue legislative reforms, according to Kinstellar Partner Nina Tsifudina. From changes in the available company forms to alignment with EU regulations and the anticipation of eurozone integration – all these keep the country’s markets buzzing, with movements in the banking and telecommunication sectors leading the charge.

In Austria, ESG issues are at the forefront, while the Viennese Building Code is being updated to promote environmentally friendly measures, according to Weber & Co Partner Daniela Witt-Doerring.

The upcoming parliamentary elections at the end of September are the talk of the town in Slovakia, with a slew of interesting legislative changes – including those covering whistleblowing, corporate restructurings, and construction – coming in before the buzzer, according to Wolf Theiss Managing Partner Katarina Matulnikova.

Lithuania hopes for the best and prepares for the worst by further tightening its banking and fintech regulations, following the latest decisions and position papers issued by the supervisory authority. Despite talks of a recession, the banking and finance market remains active, according to Cobalt Partner Akvile Bosaite.

Despite the ongoing challenges generated by the Russian invasion, the markets in Ukraine have seen surprising levels of activity, according to Rob Shantz, a Corporate and Compliance Partner with Redcliffe Partners. In the midst of it all, Shantz remains optimistic about the future, envisioning a busy legal market as Ukraine aligns more closely with the EU, leading to significant opportunities in the country's rebuilding efforts once the war is over.

From the resolution of election uncertainties and the surge in M&A transactions to the focus on ESG matters and the country’s alignment with EU regulations, Turkey is positioning itself as an attractive destination for foreign investors, while also increasing the volume of outbound investments, according to Yalcin Babalioglu Kemahli in cooperation with CMS Managing Partner Done Yalcin.

Bulgaria's outlook is improving, with its elected government working hard to catch up on crucial EU legal updates, while the country continues to attract investments in banking, energy, healthcare, and technology, according to Penkov Markov & Partners Associated Partner Boris Lazarov.

Hungary has adopted new laws covering various areas, prioritizing electronic registration processes and the construction industry, while also making significant advancements in the energy field, according to Nagy es Trocsanyi Partner Orsolya Kovacs.

There is still room for optimism in Romania, as the economy is seeing continued investments across a number of sectors, with the energy transition and renewables, automotive, defense, and infrastructure projects driving growth, according to Kinstellar Partner Iustinian Captariu.

These days, Austrian lawyers are primarily focused on the topics of the prevailing economic climate and its future trajectory, the implications of ESG trends, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession, according to Dorda Managing Partner Martin Brodey.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine’s internal economy remains strong – and there are significant opportunities for those who can navigate the complexities of the current situation – with lawyers busy with litigation and arbitration, sanctions and antitrust, as well as restructuring and privatization matters, according to Arzinger Founding and Managing Partner Timur Bondaryev.

The healthcare industry is undergoing reform and the renewable energy sector is shifting to foreign-investment-friendly auction-based strategies, while the new Civil Code and large investment projects – including healthcare digitalization and infrastructure development – are on the books in Kosovo, according to RPHS Law Partner Visar Ramaj.

Despite a recent M&A slowdown, updates to the capital markets and land rights laws, renewable energy auctions, and business migration heavily impact Serbia's legal and business landscape, according to Doklestic Repic & Gajin Partner Slobodan Doklestic.