CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Baker McKenzie has advised Echo Investment Group companies Grupa Archicom, Echo Investment, and DKR Echo Investment on offering 10 million new shares in Archicom and DKR's sale of 6.1 million existing shares. The PLN 220 million transaction was managed by the PKO BP Brokerage Office.
With a potential WeWork restructuring on the horizon, this article explores some issues landlords may face under their WeWork leases, with a focus on how courts in Poland might address them.
Baker McKenzie has successfully represented Operator Gazociagow Przesylowych Gaz-System before the General Court of the European Union in a dispute concerning a decision of the Board of Appeal of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.
Greenberg Traurig has advised Cyfrowy Polsat on the issuance of sustainability-linked series E bonds with an aggregate nominal value of PLN 820 million. Baker McKenzie advised the Trigon Brokerage House, Bank Pekao, and Santander Bank Polska on managing the issuance.
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.
Schoenherr has advised Aldiana Management on its purchase of the Aldiana Club Ampflwang resort in Upper Austria. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised the sellers.
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.
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.
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.
Former Counsels Oleksiy Stolyarenko and Andrii Moskalyk have been appointed as Partners with Baker McKenzie in Kyiv on July 1, 2023.
On June 30, 2023, Schoenherr announced that OMV’s sale of OMV Slovenija to MOL (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on June 17, 2021) had closed.
Notwithstanding the ongoing war, the Ukrainian banking and financial services industry continues to operate without interruptions and shows great resilience and stability. Ukrainian legislation continues to develop at the same time, bringing the standards of banking and financial services closer to the EU requirements.
On 22 June 2023, the Law of Ukraine on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Optimizing the Operations of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, Increasing the Effectiveness of State Property Management and Improving the Effectiveness of Sanctions Policy ("Law") became effective.
With effect from 16 May 2023, Ukrainian borrowers are allowed to make payments from Ukraine abroad to repay and service certain
cross-border loans from foreign lenders. This applies to the loans that are:
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