In public procurement, the term bid rigging (also called collusive tendering) describes unlawful agreements between bidders with the intention of distorting the competition in award procedures and allowing a preferred tenderer to win the public contract while giving the impression that the process is truly competitive. The hidden agenda is often to force a high contract price that is not appropriate given the state of the market.
The Debrief: March 2024
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 keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.
Croatian M&A Market: A Slower Year
In 2023, Croatia’s M&A market faced unexpected challenges on several fronts. Lovric, Novokmet & Partners Partner Mate Lovric and Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka Senior Partner Damir Topic discuss the market’s slowdown in the year behind us.
Inside Insight: Interview with Tomislav Pifar of Infobip
Infobip General Counsel Tomislav Pifar first joined the company in 2011 and has been a witness to the company’s remarkable growth over the past 12 years. In reflecting on his journey, he explores the evolution of in-house legal work and international exposure, placing a particular emphasis on the transformative impact of AI on daily operations.
Know Your Lawyer: Iva Miskovic of Miskovic & Miskovic
An in-depth look at Iva Miskovic of Miskovic & Miskovic covering her career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about her as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Croatia: Insolvency and Restructuring
In Croatia, the legal landscape governing insolvency and restructuring is meticulously outlined in the Insolvency Act (Official Gazette no. 71/15, 104/17,36/22) providing a comprehensive framework for the initiation and execution of pre-insolvency and insolvency proceedings, outlining the ensuing legal consequences, and delineating the respective rights and obligations of debtors and creditors. With the recent amendment to the Insolvency Act introduced in 2022, solutions from the European Union have been adopted to encourage early restructuring of sustainable businesses, maintaining the continuity of company operations, and preventing insolvency. With these new changes, emphasis is being placed on insolvency prevention while also providing a strong framework for the protection of the creditors.
Deloitte Legal Advises Iskra on Acquisition of Elmap and Elmap Projekt
Deloitte Legal has advised Slovenia's Iskra on its acquisition of Croatian engineering company Elmap and Elmap Projekt from the Bozikovic family.
Did You Know: CEE's Very Early 2024 Leaderboards
Did you know that the early 2024 deal leaderboards are already available via the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?
Croatia Tackles Judicial Pay and Executive Gender Balance: A Buzz Interview with Tarja Krehic of the Krehic Law Office
Against the backdrop of a turbulent legal landscape, Krehic Law Office Managing Partner Tarja Krehic underscores the recently ended strikes by commercial court judges and the subsequent impact on court proceedings and business registrations as the hot topics on the docket for Croatia, with women's participation in executive roles as the next big issue.
DTB and Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac Advise on EUR 31.2 Million Credit Facility for Dogus and Zadar Resort
Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised borrower Zadar Resort and sponsor Dogus Croatia on a EUR 31.2 million loan with Privredna Banka Zagreb and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development as the mandated lead arrangers. Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac advised Privredna Banka Zagreb and the CBRD.
Harrisons, Maric & Co, Lambadarios, Wolf Theiss, and Selih & Partnerji Advise on EUR 1.7 Billion United Group Refinancing
Harrisons, Maric & Co, Lambadarios, and Wolf Theiss, working with Linklaters, have advised a banking consortium led by UniCredit Bank London on the United Group's EUR 1.7 billion issuance of four tranches of senior secured and PIK notes as well as on the increase and extension of its EUR 410 million revolving credit facility. Selih & Partnerji, working with Paul Weiss, advised the United Group. Schoenherr, Koutalidis, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, and Elvinger Hoss Prussen reportedly advised the United Group as well.
Competition Perspective of M&A Deals after the Towercast Case
One of the most important questions within every M&A deal is whether the transaction at hand is subject to merger clearance. The answer to said question might impact the timeline and (potentially) the successful completion of the deal itself. Up until Towercast cases (C-449/21), the analysis was straightforward by applying the clear turnover-based rules defining the applicability of the Regulation No 139/2004 (“Merger Regulation”).
Ostermann & Partners Puts Vjekoslav Ivancic's Name on the Wall To Become Ostermann Ivancic
Croatian law firm Ostermann & Partners has changed its name to Ostermann Ivancic with "the addition of partner Vjekoslav Ivancic to the company name [as] a dedication to his outstanding career and contribution he has made to the firm's growth."
Nlaw Appoints Martin Hren as Managing Partner in Croatia and Katya Mezek To Lead Newly Opened US Office
Nlaw Partner Martin Hren has become the new Managing Partner of the firm's Croatian office. At the same time, Nlaw announced the opening of its US office with Of Counsel Katya Mezek at the helm.
Vukmir & Associates Advises ZB Invest on Taking Over UCITS Funds from Allianz Invest
Vukmir & Associates has advised ZB Invest on taking over the management and the merger of the UCITS funds from Allianz Invest.
BDV Advises on Merit Media Int. Shareholding Consolidation
Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich has advised the majority shareholder of Merit Media Int. on its shareholding consolidation.
Drakopoulos Joins South East Legal Alliance
Drakopoulos has become a part of the South East Legal Alliance, thus expanding the network’s reach to Athens, Bucharest, and Nicosia.
Employment Brief: New Rules on Platform Work in Croatia
Changes to the Croatian Labor Act, governing work for digital platforms, took effect on January 1, 2024. Croatia opted to regulate platform work before the formal adoption of the EU Platform Work Directive. What are the main novelties?