CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Baker McKenzie’s Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership has advised Denizbank on its USD 109 million loan from the EBRD. Reportedly, Clifford Chance and its Turkish affiliate Ciftci Attorney Partnership advised the EBRD.
On 12 September 2023, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 5431 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Improve the Activities of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine" ("Law"), which launches a reform of Ukrainian competition law. The Law will enter into force on 1 January 2024.
Tomas Skoumal has been elected as the new Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie’s Prague office, taking over from Martin Hrodek.
On 16 September 2023 the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Procedure for Payment of Fees for Actions Related to the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights" ("Resolution") will enter into force. The Resolution introduces new fees, provides additional reductions and clarifies existing ones.
On 21 October 2022, the Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Authority (“BRSA”) published BRSA Decision No. 10389 (“Tightening Decision”) to tighten the restrictions set forth under the BRSA Decision No. 10250 dated 24 June 2022 (“Restriction Decision”), which introduced Turkish lira borrowing restrictions for non-financial institutions that are subject to independent audit and BRSA Decision No. 10265 dated 7 July 2022 (“Decision No. 10265” and together with Tightening Decision and Restriction Decision, “Decisions”), which in turn aims to clarify and ensure the effective application of the Restriction Decision.
Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership, working with Hogan Lovells, has advised the US International Development Finance Corporation on a USD 100 million term loan facility for Sekerbank.
Schoenherr has advised Aldiana Management on its purchase of the Aldiana Club Ampflwang resort in Upper Austria. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised the sellers.
Clifford Chance and its Turkish affiliate Ciftci Attorney Partnership have advised Citibank on arranging two facilities totaling approximately USD 611 million – covered by international export credit agencies – to Turkiye Petrolleri in relation to Phase 1 of the Sakarya Offshore Gas Field Development Project.
Gide has advised the Enterprise Investors Fund IX on its minority investment in Polish precision radar and anti-drone systems company Advanced Protection Systems Inc. Baker McKenzie advised APS and its shareholders.
Baker McKenzie has advised Innova Capital on the facilities agreement with mBank and BNP Paribas Bank Polska to support the fund’s investment in R-GOL. CMS reportedly advised the banks.
White & Case Turkish affiliate GKC Partners has advised TotalEnergies Renewables on its acquisition of a 50% stake in hydroelectric power company Ronesans Enerji. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised Ronesans Holding's Ronesans Yenilenebilir Enerji on the sale.
Former Senior Associate Nigar Gokmen has been promoted to a Partner position with the Esin Attorney Partnership, the Turkish affiliate of Baker McKenzie. Gokmen has also become the firm’s new Head of Energy, Mining & Infrastructure, and Real Estate practices.
Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership has advised TeamSystem on its acquisition of a 53% stake in the Mikro Group from Dash Software, Izzet Murat Sakarya, Alpaslan Tomus, Kadir Keskin, Xiang Yu, and Andac Turkmen through a bid process. Verdi advised the sellers.
Boyanov & Co, working with the Stockholm and Washington offices of Baker McKenzie, has advised Finland's Tietoevry on the acquisition of US-based digital engineering company MentorMate. Ballard Spahr advised the Taylor Corporation on the sale.
Paksoy has advised the Stellantis Group on the full sale of its Stellantis Otomotiv Pazarlama automobile distributor subsidiary to Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised Tofas.
The significant public financing need caused by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay on 6 February 2023 continues to lead to various tax-related regulations. The first of such regulations was a one-time additional tax imposed on certain corporate taxpayers with Law No. 7440 on the Restructuring of Certain Receivables and Amendments to Certain Laws published in the Official Gazette dated 12 March 2023.
Hengeler Mueller has advised Muhr und Bender on the acquisition of RUAG International Holding’s aerostructures activities in Oberpfaffenhofen and Eger. Baker McKenzie, and reportedly Pestalozzi, advised RUAG International Holding. Reportedly, Lakatos, Koves & Partners and Novalex advised Muhr und Bender as well.
The Court of Justice’s strike on protectionism in favor of ‘strategic companies’ in the Member States.
Hegymegi-Barakonyi és Fehérváry Baker & McKenzie Attorneys-at-Law is one of the leading law firms in Hungary, combining a wealth of experience in local and regional markets with expansive global capabilities. We pride ourselves in providing full service to our clients in all areas of business law, and bring industry focus to our activity and offer cross practice solutions to our clients in the ever changing landscape of business.
The global and regional business community is more interconnected than ever before. Opportunities and risks spill across different markets, sectors and areas of law, so a connected perspective is essential in delivering business objectives while mitigating risk. Our integrated client solutions provide seamless advice, underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise, as well as first-rate local market knowledge. Armed with Baker McKenzie insight and foresight, business leaders can feel confident in driving growth that is both sustainable – and inclusive.
Our focus areas: