Baker McKenzie has advised the Lindsay Corporation on its acquisition of a 49.9% stake in Austria-based Pessl Instruments, with an option to acquire the rest at a later date. HBA reportedly advised Gottfried Pess on the sale.

Bernitsas Law has advised Dodoni on its issuance of a EUR 75 million bond loan with mandated lead arrangers Piraeus Bank and Eurobank. Koutalidis reportedly advised Piraeus Bank and Eurobank.

PwC Legal has advised aquaculture specialist Agromey on its sale to Kilic Holding.

Glatzova & Co has helped Pale Fire Capital obtain a license from the Czech National Bank for an investment company authorized to exceed the so-called "decisive limit."

The reasoning behind the draft laws not included in the laws those provisions from the EU regulations that can be applied only by the member states of the European Union, as well as those that prescribe obligations only for the member states, is questionable.

CMS has advised electricity trader Danske Commodities on the licensing of its Bulgarian activities before the country's Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, including for the coordination of a standard and combined balancing group.

Boyanov & Co, working with Gianni & Origoni, has advised UniCredit Bulbank and the United Bulgarian Bank on their financing for Plastchim-T's acquisition of Manucor.

Clifford Chance has advised Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka and Ceska Sporitelna on the financing for Oriens group member Central European Retail Holding's acquisition of the Hruska retail chain through the full acquisition of Hruska and Sempronemo. Clifford Chance also advised Oriens on the acquisition transaction.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Lightsource BP on the financing-related land and regulatory due diligence of a PV project in Greece with a capacity of 560 megawatts and a budget of EUR 395.15 million in the areas of Larissa and Fthiotida.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta, working with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has advised Huuuge on a USD 70 million share buyback.

Bernitsas has advised Eurobank on the issuance and offering of its new EUR 650 million senior preferred notes due April 2031 to international and domestic institutional investors, as well as their listing on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

Glatzova & Co has helped Pale Fire Capital obtain a license from the Czech National Bank for an investment company authorized to exceed the so-called "decisive limit."

The Commission for Protection of Competition (“CPC”) and the Republic Secretariat for Public Policy (RSPP), in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), enacted a while back a Control List for Assessing the Impact of Regulations on Competition (“Control List”), which establishes whether a specific proposal or draft regulation could lead to competition distortion in the market.

Nedelka Kubac Advokati has successfully represented Klement in an energy construction bid rigging case before the Slovak Competition Authority.

The most recent promotion round at CMS saw 54 lawyers promoted to the firm's partnership ranks, including Austria-based Daniela Kroemer, David Kohl, Florian Mayer, Kai Ruckelshausen, Lukas Peissl, Marlene Wimmer-Nistelberger, and Sonja Otenhajmer, Bulgaria-based Jenia Dimitrova, Hungary-based Agnes Solyom, Eszter Torok, and Katalin Horvath, and Poland-based Tomasz Sancewicz.

We bring you a brief overview of important legislative news from the Czech Republic that should not escape your attention.

The requirements for the Whistleblowing Officer’s (WO) role are covered by various guidelines that have been published by the Slovak Office for Protection of Whistleblowers over the past several months. The multitude of information sources now requires clarification, as the role of the WO leading internal investigations of reports is becoming increasingly prominent. 

The question is not "if" you will face a cyberattack, but "when". Ensure your cyberspace is resilient to security risks early. New cybersecurity regulation will impact many Slovak companies this year and next.

Boyanov & Co, working with Gianni & Origoni, has advised UniCredit Bulbank and the United Bulgarian Bank on their financing for Plastchim-T's acquisition of Manucor.

Havel & Partners has advised HP Invest on its full acquisition of HP Tronic from Genesis Private Equity Fund III.

Paksoy has advised Iyzico on the acquisition of Paynet from Arena Bilgisayar. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised the sellers.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Lightsource BP on the financing-related land and regulatory due diligence of a PV project in Greece with a capacity of 560 megawatts and a budget of EUR 395.15 million in the areas of Larissa and Fthiotida.

CMS has advised gas transmission system operator GAZ-System in the process of selecting a supplier and executing a floating regasification unit chartering agreement with White Eagle Energy. Reportedly, Mayer Brown advised Mitsui.

Nedelka Kubac Advokati has successfully represented Klement in an energy construction bid rigging case before the Slovak Competition Authority.

On April 22, 2024, Everlegal announced it had been appointed to provide legal support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – the UN Refugee Agency – for its activities in Ukraine.

Noor and the Lithuanian Red Cross Society have executed a memorandum of cooperation based upon which Noor will provide continuous legal advisory and assistance to the Red Cross on various legal matters.

Everlegal has partnered up with the Norwegian Refugee Council in Ukraine and will be offering the NRC legal support on a number of day-to-day legal issues.

The post-war reconstruction of Ukraine is an immense challenge that necessitates mobilization of substantial resources. During a United Nations Security Council meeting in November of the previous year, the approximate cost of the country's reconstruction and rehabilitation was estimated at $400 billion. Acknowledging the impossibility of covering such expenses solely through state funds and international aid, Ukraine is placing emphasis on enhancing collaboration with the private sector. Among the various forms and mechanisms for securing resources required for rebuilding of the destroyed infrastructure, public-private partnership (PPP) stands out as one of the most widely debated.

BDK Advokati has advised Turkish Net Holding subsidiary Net Montenegro on a casino concession agreement with the Government of Montenegro.

LSW Bienkowski, Laskowski, Lesnodorski, Melzacki and Partners has announced it hired eight new partners – Filip Badziak, George Havaris, Marcin Huczkowski, Piotr Leonarski, Krzysztof Marzynski, Adam Piwakowski, Aleksandra Polak, and Piotr Szelenbaum – all coming from B2RLaw, alongside a group of associates, administration, and marketing support.

The most recent promotion round at CMS saw 54 lawyers promoted to the firm's partnership ranks, including Austria-based Daniela Kroemer, David Kohl, Florian Mayer, Kai Ruckelshausen, Lukas Peissl, Marlene Wimmer-Nistelberger, and Sonja Otenhajmer, Bulgaria-based Jenia Dimitrova, Hungary-based Agnes Solyom, Eszter Torok, and Katalin Horvath, and Poland-based Tomasz Sancewicz.

Magnusson has successfully represented Albrecht & Dill Trading in having its claim accepted as part of the bankruptcy proceedings against Erst Finance, Albergrupp Teenused, and Omul-Fot, in bankruptcy.

Vukmir & Associates, working with the German offices of Taylor Wessing, Reimer Rechtsanwaelte, and White & Case, has advised Ludwig Pfeiffer Hoch- und Tiefbau on the hive-down of all Croatian assets to the newly established Ludwig Pfeiffer Adria and its full sale to Croatian construction companies AMM and Vodoprivreda Vinkovici. Bradvica Maric Wahl Cesarec Skerlev advised the buyers.

We bring you a brief overview of important legislative news from the Czech Republic that should not escape your attention.

In 2024, the conditions for obtaining an employment agency permit will be further tightened.

Edyta Defanska-Czujko has joined Deloitte Legal as Partner and leader of the People Law/Employment Law & Benefits practice in Poland.

Greenberg Traurig has advised Abris Capital Partners on the sale of Scanmed Group to the American Heart of Poland Group. Rymarz Zdort Maruta advised the American Heart of Poland.

CMS, working with Harneys Cyprus, has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR 22 million loan to the Cyprus-based Farmak Group and Ukraine's JSC Farmak for the acquisition of Poland's Symphar and the upgrade of JSC Farmak's IT systems.

Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak has advised AniCura AB on its acquisition of Poznan-based veterinary clinic Centrum Zdrowia Malych Zwierzat. Roedl & Partner reportedly advised AniCura as well.

The amendment to the Code of Administrative Justice, slated to take effect on 1 January 2025, will bring many changes.

The Companies Act of the Republic of Serbia (“Off. Herald of RS”, Nos. 36/2011, 99/2011, 83/2014 - other law, 5/2015, 44/2018, 95/2018, 91/2019 and 109/2021; hereinafter: “the Law”) prescribes a circle of persons who have certain special duties towards the company:

Nedelka Kubac Advokati has successfully represented Klement in an energy construction bid rigging case before the Slovak Competition Authority.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised Polish state-owned company Weglokoks on its acquisition of an 80% stake in Port Polnocny from Belgian group Sea-Invest. DLA Piper advised the seller.

On April 1, 2024, BDK Advokati announced that Waberer’s acquisition of MDI (reported by CEE Legal Matters on October 16, 2023) had closed.

SKJB Szybkowski Kuzma Jelen Brzoza-Ostrowska has advised the seller on the sale of two logistics parks with a gross leasable area of over 82,000 square meters located in Pruszkow and Ozarow Mazowiecki.

Avellum has advised the Kernel Group on the acquisition of 100% of shares in Reni-Oil LLC – a sunflower oil transshipment terminal with a storage capacity of 15,000 tons, in the port of Reni, on the Danube – for a consideration of USD 24.75 million.

Fortsakis Diakopoulos & Associates has advised the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund on the sale of a 67% stake in the Heraklion Port Authority to a consortium consisting of Grimaldi Euromed and Minoan Lines.

Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov has advised ICBC International Finance Limited on a USD 66.22 million ship financing extended to the Navibulgar group. Stephenson Harwood reportedly advised Navibulgar.

Havel & Partners has advised HP Invest on its full acquisition of HP Tronic from Genesis Private Equity Fund III.

Greenberg Traurig has advised Abris Capital Partners on the sale of Scanmed Group to the American Heart of Poland Group. Rymarz Zdort Maruta advised the American Heart of Poland.

Glatzova & Co has helped Pale Fire Capital obtain a license from the Czech National Bank for an investment company authorized to exceed the so-called "decisive limit."

Wardynski & Partners has represented the Civil Society Drug Policy Initiative on a pro bono basis in a dispute with Meta.

Integrites has provided pro bono defense representation to a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine concerning criminal charges brought against him by the military command. The firm also advised the soldier's family on obtaining monetary compensation.

Schoenherr has signed new legal services and partnership agreements to continue providing pro bono legal advice to Concordia – an independent NGO supporting children, young people, and families in need in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Kosovo, and Austria – which the firm has been supporting for the past 15 years.

Zepos & Yannopoulos has advised Hellenic Properties on its acquisition of a former industrial building located in Tavros, Attica, to be developed into a green office building.

Schoenherr has advised Euro Real Estate Holding on the indirect acquisition of the City Tower Vienna via United Benefits Holding from Immofinanz. Reportedly, Jank Weiler Operenyi advised Immofinanz and Wolf Theiss advised UniCredit Bank Austria.

Former Home Credit International Legal Manager Martin Seda has been promoted to the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer position for the group.

LSW Bienkowski, Laskowski, Lesnodorski, Melzacki and Partners has announced it hired eight new partners – Filip Badziak, George Havaris, Marcin Huczkowski, Piotr Leonarski, Krzysztof Marzynski, Adam Piwakowski, Aleksandra Polak, and Piotr Szelenbaum – all coming from B2RLaw, alongside a group of associates, administration, and marketing support.

Domokos Neagu Sarbu has successfully represented Alpiq in a tax dispute with the Romanian tax authority in a case that ultimately required the input of the Romanian Supreme Court.

Former Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak Senior Counsel Szymon Czerwinski has joined Schoenherr in Poland as a Partner to lead the firm's Tax team.

Paksoy has advised Iyzico on the acquisition of Paynet from Arena Bilgisayar. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised the sellers.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta, working with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has advised Huuuge on a USD 70 million share buyback.

DLA Piper has advised Brand24 and its shareholders (including Laeq, Unfold.vc, and Michal Sadowski and Piotr Wierzejewski funds) on the sale of a 57.6% stake to Semrush.

Former CMS Partner Anna Pogrebna has joined Integrites as a Partner to focus on real estate, construction, and infrastructure, while Mykola Nychyporuk has joined the firm as a Counsel and the Head of its White-Collar Crime practice.

Mihai Morar and Mihai Lemnaru have been promoted to Partner positions with Albu Morar.

Dan Minoiu has become a new Deputy Managing Partner at Musat & Asociatii, while Ana Maria Abrudan, Mateea Codreanu, and Stefan Diaconescu have all been promoted to Partner positions.