In a recent case (C-61/21), contrary to settled case-law, the Court of Justice of the European Union did not oblige a Member State to pay compensation. Article 13 of the 2008/50/EC Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe obliges Member States to ensure that ambient air levels of NO2 and PM10 do not exceed EU-wide limit values. A resident in the Paris region considered that the French State had failed to ensure this and by this he has suffered damage to his health since 2003, caused by the deterioration of the ambient air quality in the Paris agglomeration. For these damages, he has claimed a total of EUR 21 million from the French State as compensation.
Gabor Kukovecz Joins Phoenix Hungary as Group Legal Director
Former Diageo Head of Legal & Operations and DPO Gabor Kukovecz has joined the Phoenix Group in Hungary as the Group Legal Director.
BLS-CEE Expands Network with Addition of Iulia Berea and Chen Chen
The Bucharest-based Iulia Berea Law Office and the Budapest-based Chen Law Firm have joined the BLS-CEE network. The two firms' respective Managing Partners – Iulia Berea and Chen Chen – have also joined BLS-CEE as Collaborating Partners.
Corporate Governance in Hungary
Contributed by KCG Partners.
CMS Advises 4iG on Vodafone Hungary Acquisition
CMS has advised 4iG on the acquisition of Vodafone Hungary together with Corvinus Nemzetkozi Befektetesi representing the Hungarian state. Slaughter & May reportedly advised Vodafone.
Major Overhaul of Green Tax Regulation in Hungary
Circular products, extended producer responsibility, mandatory return system: new terms and new concept behind the new green tax regulation coming in 2023 in Hungary. The modification of the Green Tax Act has been already adopted, and the governmental decree with the specifications is to follow.
Gabor Pazsitka Joins Cerha Hempel as Partner and Head of Banking & Finance
Former Jalsovszky Partner Gabor Pazsitka has joined the Budapest office of Cerha Hempel as a Partner and the new Head of Banking & Finance.
Oppenheim Advises Skanska on Office Space Lease in Budapest
Oppenheim has advised Skanska on leasing 3,300 square meters of office space in H2Offices in Budapest to the DBH Group.
Changes in the Hungarian Labour Code from 1 January
As of 1 January 2023, the Labour Code was amended on several points, creating significant new obligations on the employers' side. We summarize the most impactful parts of the amendments, as well as the novel employers' obligations resulting from such amendments.
New Land-related Provisions from 1 January 2023
On 1 January 2023, a new act on the transfer of agricultural farms entered into force. The management of generational issues and the smoothing of generational change in agriculture is essential for the future of the Hungarian agriculture. In addition, the security of Hungary’s food production could be jeopardised if farm succession is not carried out properly or at all, therefore, the new act aims to help the agricultural sector to renew itself generationally.
Balazs Fazakas Makes Partner at Lakatos Koves & Partners
Lakatos Koves & Partners Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group Balazs Fazakas has been appointed as a Partner with the firm on January 1, 2023.
Hungarian Businesses to Benefit from Future Construction Legislation
Following the elections in April 2022, an independent ministry was created in Hungary to manage, control and regulate construction and investment activities. Shortly after meetings with the representatives of professional organizations were held to provide the basis for further legislative work on the preparation of a new framework law on the institutional, substantive and procedural rules governing public investment.
Daniel Varga Becomes New MET Group Green Assets Division Legal Director
Former MET Group Senior Legal Counsel Daniel Varga was appointed as the company’s new Green Assets Division Legal Director.
Former Osborne Clarke CEO Simon Beswick Joins Kinstellar
Former Osborne Clarke CEO Simon Beswick has joined Kinstellar’s Board of Directors as a non-executive member.
Schoenherr and Kinstellar Advise on Shanghai Electric Power Acquisition of 200-Megawatt PV Project in Hungary
Schoenherr has advised China's Shanghai Electric Power on its full acquisition of five project companies developing a 200-megawatt PV project in Northeast Hungary from Chint Solar Hungary Projects. Kinstellar advised Chint Solar.
Energy Communities in Hungary – How to Make the Most of Them
EU energy policy ensures the efficient functioning of the EU energy market and promotes the interconnection of energy networks and the efficient use of energy. It covers all energy sources, from fossil fuels to nuclear and renewables (solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydro and tidal).
Amendments to the Hungarian Competition Act in 2023: Inflation Has Spilled over into the HCA's Procedures
Crucial amendments to the Hungarian Competition Act entered into force on 1 January 2023, while others will on 1 February 2023. This article briefly describes the most important changes.
E+H Advises Wienerberger on Acquisition of EU and US Terreal Group Operations
E+H has advised Wienerberger on its acquisition of the Terreal operations in France, Italy, Spain, and the US together with the Creaton business in Germany and Benelux from France's Terreal Group. Latham & Watkins, Advant, Garrigues, Masotti Cassella, Holland & Knight, and Stibbe reportedly advised Wienerberger as well.