CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
With the new year, a significant amendment to the Czech consumer protection laws came into force that further strengthens consumer rights and increases transparency in providing information to consumers. But there are also important changes in the marketing area, including tighter restrictions on using influencers to promote products and services.
REALS has advised the Redside investment company and its Nova Real Estate fund on the sale of the Baumax DIY store in Hradec Kralove to a company from the Baumax group. Siwy & Co advised Baumax.
Norton Rose Fulbright and Havel & Partners have advised senior lender Santander Bank Polska on a refinancing facility for Exact Systems. Barrocas reportedly advised Santander Bank Polska on Portuguese legal matters. Rymarz Zdort Maruta reportedly advised Exact Systems. MHJ Legal reportedly advised mezzanine lender Accession Capital Partners.
Eversheds Sutherland has represented Itaka in the settlement proceedings with the minority shareholders of Czech travel agency Cedok.
The Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic will soon decide whether to pay for the Czech Republic to become part of the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. The MICHELIN Guide is asking for CZK 10 million for this "service" for the next three years.
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.
On 24 January 2023, a new law called LEX OZE I. (Act No. 19/2023 Coll.) entered into force. The goal of this law is to remove obstacles and speed up the construction of renewable energy sources ("RES").
Kocian Solc Balasitk has advised real estate rental start-up Flatform on its establishment and partnership agreements with insurance companies.
Former White & Case Associate Ondrej Barton has joined the Dentons Prague office as a Partner, starting on April 1, 2023.
JSK has advised CVI on its bond financing investment in the parent company of the Algotech Group. GT Legal advised the Algotech Group.
Kinstellar has advised the owner of Unuodesign on the sale of a majority stake in the company to the Hartenberg Holding. Mikulas & Partners reportedly advised Hartenberg.
Kinstellar, working with Linklaters, has successfully advised Credit Agricole Consumer Finance and Stellantis on their acquisition from ALD Automotive of, among others, LeasePlan’s Czech operations.
In January 2023, there was a significant amendment to consumer law, which on the one hand expanded the rights of consumers, and on the other hand introduced a number of new obligations for retailers.
Although negotiations regarding the method of capping electricity and gas prices are still ongoing, both at the national level and in the EU, the Government of the Czech Republic has already issued the expected amendment specifying the capping of energy prices for large enterprises.
Clifford Chance, working with Vinge, has advised CBRE Investment Management on its sale of Swedish retail assets Port 73 and Gallerian Nian to NIAM.
Kocian Solc Balastik has advised an undisclosed seller on the sale of a 7,500 square-meter land plot in Uhrineves, Prague, to Uhrinevska Zahrada. Klimus & Partners advised Uhrinevska Zahrada.
Dentons has advised the CPI Property Group on its debut sustainability-linked loan through a bilateral facility with MUFG.
Eversheds Sutherland has advised Remondis Group company TSR Czech Republic on its acquisition of Barko. Tovarek, Horky and Partners advised the sellers.
PRK Partners, one of the leading Central European law firms, has been helping clients achieve their business objectives almost 30 years. Our team of lawyers, based in our Prague, Ostrava, and Bratislava offices, has a unique knowledge of Czech and Slovak law and of the business environment. Our lawyers studied at top law schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland and elsewhere. They also have experience working for leading international and domestic law firms in a number of jurisdictions. We speak your language, too. Our legal team is fluent in more than 15 languages, including all the key languages of the region.
PRK Partners has one of the most experienced legal teams on the market. We are consistently rated as one of the leading law firms in the region. We have received many significant honours and awards for our work. We represent the interests of international clients operating in the Czech Republic in an efficient way, combining local knowledge with an understanding of their global requirements in a business-friendly approach. We are one of the largest law firms in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Our specialised teams of lawyers and tax advisors advise major global corporations as well as local companies. We provide comprehensive legal advice drawing on our profound knowledge of local law and markets.
Our legal advice delivers tangible results – as proven by our strong track record. We are the only Czech member firm of Lex Mundi, the world's leading network of independent law firms. As one of the leading law firms in the region, we have received many national and international awards, in some cases several years in a row. Honours include the Chambers Europe Award for Excellence, The Lawyer and Czech and Slovak Law Firm of the Year. Thanks to our close cooperation with leading international law firms and strong local players, we can serve clients in multiple jurisdictions around the globe. Our strong network means that we can meet your needs, wherever you do business.
PRK Partners has been repeatedly voted among the most socially responsible firms in the category of small and mid-sized firms and was awarded the bronze certificate at the annual TOP Responsible Firm of the Year Awards.
Our work is not only “business”: we have participated on a longstanding basis in a wide variety of pro bono projects and supported our partners from the non-profit sector (Kaplicky Centre Endowment Fund, Tereza Maxová Foundation, Czech Donors Forum, etc.).
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