On April 5, 2022, leading lawyers from across all of CEE will be coming together for the Dealer's Choice Conference and Deals of the Years Awards Banquet. Leading up to the event, we spoke with Oana Ijdelea of Ijdelea & Associates to learn what they are looking forward to the most.
Publishing of Personal Data in Media – When It Shall Not Be Held a Privacy Violation?
Acting on the filed request for establishing of the violation of right to personal data protection, the Croatian data protection authority (“Authority”) passed on December 30, 2021, a decision pursuant to which publishing of personal data shall not be held violation of the right to protection thereof provided that it is made for the public interest.
Croatia To Upgrade the Rules on Remote Working
As the COVID-19 pandemic globally swept away the business-as-usual concept, many countries, including Croatia, were faced with a rising problem of workplace-based COVID-19 transmissions. Croatia had a remote work (RW) framework initially introduced in 2003, but its application in practice was considered rather exotic. Once RW became one of the main workplace-related responses to COVID-19, authorities and employers were suddenly faced with interpretation and implementation problems. As a temporary solution, the Ministry of Labor and Pension System (Ministry) issued a number of opinions regarding the RW regime. These opinions were intended to loosen the regulatory grip, usually by turning a blind eye to unambiguous and mandatory statutory requirements, for example, by interpreting that a pandemic constitutes such circumstances under which employers are allowed to unilaterally impose a RW regime.
Revised UTPs Act in Croatia Becomes Fully Applicable in March. Have You Aligned Your Agreements with Suppliers?
Back in September 2021, the revised Act on the prohibition of unfair trading practices in the business-to-business food supply chain (the "UTPs Act") entered into force. As in all other EU Member States, the Croatian UTPs Act was revised to bring Croatia's legal framework in the area of unfair trading practices in business-to-business relations in the agricultural and food supply chain into compliance with the UTPs Directive.
The Buzz in Croatia: Interview with Martina Prpic of Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic
The biggest story in Croatia, according to Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic Partner Martina Prpic, is the preparatory work for the upcoming switch to EUR as the official currency, complemented by EU-driven updates impacting consumer protection, agriculture, and the upcoming tourist season.
Mia Kalajdzic and Sasa Sodja Make Partner at CMS
Former Senior Associate Mia Kalajdzic has been appointed Partner and Head of the Employment practice area group at CMS Croatia, while former Senior Associate Sasa Sodja was appointed Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A practice at CMS Slovenia.
Closing: United Group's Acquisition of Majority Stake in Optima Telekom Now Closed
On January 26, DTB announced that United Group's acquisition of the majority stake in Optima Telekom (reported by CEE Legal Matters on July 16, 2021) has now closed.
Are Financings and Bonds Green in Croatia?
Sustainable finance is at the very heart of the financial system ensuring financial service providers offer green products and push them and the corporate businesses to be greener, to reach a higher level of social and corporate relevance when making investment or financing decisions.
Croatia: Inadequate Legislation May Sow Uncertainty and Chill Investments in IT Infrastructure
The Croatian tech sector has been booming lately. With Rimac and Infobip achieving unicorn status, several other tech companies well on their way to a valuation above EUR 1 billion, and the recent successful listing of several IT companies, it seems like the Croatian tech party is going strong, and everyone is invited.
Kinstellar Integrates Zuric i Partneri to Expand in Croatia
Kinstellar has announced it is entering the Croatian market by integrating the Zuric i Partneri (ZiP) law firm. While the local firm will keep its name, "ZiP is now a fully integrated office of Kinstellar."
Nebojsa Vitez and Luka Porobija Make Equity Partner at Porobija & Spoljaric
Nebojsa Vitez and Luka Porobija have been promoted to Equity Partners at Porobija & Spoljaric as of January 1, 2022.
Real Estate Laws and Regulations in Croatia
Contributed by Hanzekovic & Partners.
Croatia to Start Renewables Auctions for Large-scale Projects in Spring 2022
Last week two key regulatory changes took place that will have important implications for future development of the Croatian renewable energy market.
Croatia: WhatsApp Correspondence Constitutes Credible Evidence of Anti-Competitive Agreements
On July 21, 2021, the Croatian High Administrative Court confirmed the Croatian Competition Agency’s (CCA) cartel decision adopted against 14 Croatian driving schools. In its infringement decision dated December 30, 2019, the CCA established the existence of a price-fixing cartel between 14 Croatian driving schools and imposed fines in the total amount of HRK 415,000 (approximately EUR 55,500). During this cartel investigation the CCA conducted several dawn raids and established the existence of a price-fixing cartel based on, inter alia, WhatsApp correspondence exchanged between representatives and employees of cartel members. Based on CCA’s infringement decision, the content of exchanged WhatsApp correspondence between cartel members referred to the coordinated price increases for driving lessons starting from the beginning of 2018.
The Buzz in Croatia: Interview with Martina Kalamiza of Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka
Political stability and predictability, shake-ups for the corporate and banking legislative frameworks, and a solid economic situation despite the pandemic – these are the current highlights in Croatia, according to Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka Partner Martina Kalamiza.
Rimac Goes Hyper
Earlier this year, the start-up scene in Croatia picked up speed with the Rimac Automobili – Bugatti deal. The burgeoning Croatian manufacturer, which focuses on constructing electric hypercars, struck a deal with global automotive giant Bugatti, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, to form a joint venture for the production of next-generation supercars.
Croatia: New Electronic Media Act Brings Changes to Concentrations in Electronic Media Sector
Croatian Parliament recently adopted the final draft of the new Electronic Media Act (the Act), which entered into force on 22 October 2021.
Reforming Energy in Croatia – Electrifying Times Ahead
These are dynamic times for the Croatian energy sector, as the legislative framework is expected to undergo major changes very soon.