On July 7, four leading lawyers from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the increasing prominence of ESG issues and their impact on M&A transactions, due diligence procedures, and the role of the lawyers themselves.

Former Counsel Vitaliy Odzhykovskyy has been promoted to Partner with Sayenko Kharenko.

On 15 March 2022, the Parliament of Ukraine passed Law of Ukraine “On Organisation of Labour Relations under the Martial Law” No. 2136-IX, dated 1 July 2022 (“Law 2136”). Law 2136 was intended to define the aspects of labour relations during martial law.

KPD Consulting has provided legal support to Porsche Ukraine in criminal proceedings seeking the return of automobiles stolen during the occupation of the Kyiv region.

March 2022 was a breakthrough month for the virtual assets market in Ukraine. With the help of Ukraine‑based Everstake and Kuna, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine set up a fund to accept donations in crypto assets to primarily support Ukraine’s military needs. According to the Ministry, Ukraine’s government has raised over USD60 million in crypto donations to date. Also, Unchain Ukraine, a project of Ukrainian blockchain activists, launched a card that has been marketed as ‘the first charitable cryptocurrency card’ powered by Weld Money and Unex Bank. The crypto assets raised are exchanged into UAH and made available to women and children in need using Unchain Help Card, a virtual card issued by Unex Bank.

Avellum has advised the seller on the sale of the Pep Group to Locaria. Lexence reportedly advised the buyer.

On 27 May 2022, Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Peculiarities of Tax Administration of Taxes, Fees and Unified Social Contribution During Martial Law and the State of Emergency” No. 2260-IX, dated 12 May 2022 (the “Law”), entered into force. The Law introduced several changes to the taxpayers’ rights and obligations during martial law.

Ilyashev & Partners has announced it has started a cooperation with Glimstedt to expand the firm's capabilities in EU countries.

On February 15, 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted draft Law No. 5090 on Amendments to the Budget Code of Ukraine on the Regulation of Budgetary Relations in the Implementation of Contracts Concluded within the Framework of Public-Private Partnerships, Including Concession Contracts (Law 5090). The law is vital for the functioning of public-private partnerships (PPP) in the road and highway reconstruction sector since it enables public partners to provide guarantees of fulfillment of their long-term obligations under relevant PPP projects.

Asters, working pro bono with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, has advised the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on the inter-state proceedings being brought by Ukraine against the Russian Federation before the European Court of Human Rights.

Redcliffe Partners, working with Simmons & Simmons, has advised the EBRD on a EUR 24 million short-term unsecured loan to Ukrainian poultry and grain producer MHP.

Kinstellar has announced it is providing pro bono legal advice to public charity organization Soborna Ukraine on implementing its programs across the country.

Contributed by Arzinger.

Sayenko Kharenko has successfully represented the inventors of the Krovospas hemostatic agent in an intellectual property dispute against the Teteriv Production Association.

Asters Partner and Co-Head of International Arbitration and Cross-Border Litigation Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi has been appointed to the working group on the development and implementation of international legal mechanisms to seek compensation for the damages caused by Russia's war against Ukraine.

Kateryna Balaban has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the Agilawyer Society in the Czech Republic. Balaban will also continue to lead UA.Support.

The energy market in Ukraine has always been in the limelight of both government and investors looking for investment opportunities.

CMS has advised FAS Energy on the acquisition of a solar power plant being developed in the Kyiv region, with an expected capacity of 112 megawatts, from an unidentified Ukrainian developer.