As Lexpo – The Legal Innovation Event returns in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, showcasing the latest trends in legal innovation in Continental Europe, CEELM spoke with Dentons Europe Director of Innovation and Member of Lexpo's Advisory Board Andrea Miskolczi to gain an insight into the current state of technology and innovation in CEE, and what the event's attendees have to look forward to.

Deloitte Legal has successfully represented the Loznitsa Municipality before the Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria in a lawsuit against the Managing Authority of Operational Program Environment 2007-2013.

In the beginning of February 2023, amendments to the Civil Procedure Code (“CPC“), dedicated to the digitalization of the order for payment procedure were promulgated. In the motives of the draft law, it is noted that the changes are in line with the tendency in the European Union towards the digitalization of this procedure, as well as with the aim of allocating judicial resources in a more optimal way through the centralized distribution of the order for payment procedures among regional judges across the country. In this way, an attempt is made towards overcoming the uneven workload of the judges from the different regions, respectively towards acceleration of the court proceedings.

On February 21, 2023, CEE Legal Matters reported that Tokushev & Partners had assisted MFG Ins in obtaining an insurance license from the Financial Supervision Commission of Bulgaria. CEELM reached out to Tokushev & Partners Partner Ivan Antov to learn more about the matter.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, only eleven lawyers in CEE have worked on four or more reported Energy/Natural Resources deals in CEE since March 1, 2022?

Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov has advised the European Innovation Council on leading a EUR 2.5 million investment round in Transmetrics. Dinova Rusev & Partners reportedly advised Transmetrics.

Gugushev & Partners has advised Alfastar Ventures on the registration of a Bulgarian EuVECA alternative investment funds manager.

On March 23, 2023, Tabakov, Tabakova and Partners announced that Delta Foods’ sale of the United Milk Company in Bulgaria to Tyrbul (reported by CEE Legal Matters on September 7, 2022) had closed.

Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov has advised Bianor Holding on its acquisition of the Itido Technologies and Databreathe software companies in Bulgaria.

CMS Sofia has successfully represented Xylem in settling a dispute with a Bulgarian hydropower producer before the ICC International Court of Arbitration.

Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov has advised lender DSK Bank on the EUR 4 million and BGN 3.5 million term facilities agreement with Terra Tour Service for the rebranding of some of its hotels to Hyatt brands.

Contributed by Schoenherr.

Former Senior Associates Martin Zahariev and Encho Simeonov have been promoted to Partner at Dimitrov Petrov & Co starting March 1, 2023.

Bulgaria has seen its Eurozone and Schengen admission dates pushed back by at least a year, while political instability and frequent elections remain the norm. Still, there is room to hope for better times, according to Hristov & Partners Partner Pavel Hristov, mostly thanks to the vibrant IT, transportation, and logistics sectors.

Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov has advised SAT Health on its acquisition of the Home Medic – Home for Medical Center. Schoenherr reportedly advised seller Danail Danilov.

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 stay up to date with the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas. 

In “The Corner Office” we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With a rough year drawing to a close, and market uncertainties running high, the question this time: If you had a million dollars, what would you invest it in today?

In recent years, online platforms have become crucial for individuals and small businesses, providing them with enhanced capabilities to interact, purchase and organize due to the data sharing among all market participants. However, many of these platforms have become quasi-monopolies and engage in anticompetitive conduct against their small-business counterparts, leading to calls for regulation from both theoreticians and EU institutions. The P2B Regulation aims to protect business users of online intermediation services by promoting fairness and transparency.