Captive insurance has experienced significant growth globally in recent years, driven by hard market conditions, emerging risks and increased volatility. Statistics reveal a steady increase in the number of captives over the past four years, rising from 5,879 in 2020 to 6,181 by the end of 2023, according to the Captive Managers and Domiciles Rankings + Directory 2024 published by Business Insurance.[1] Captive insurance companies are also increasingly used by Forbes 1000 and Fortune 500 companies to manage complex and emerging risks.

As the first publicly listed Bulgarian company in the gaming industry, Telematic Interactive Bulgaria has set its sights on aligning employee engagement with corporate growth through an ambitious Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Being part of the team that advised Telematic on this project, in this article, I’ll provide a detailed look at the motivations behind this decision, the structure of the ESOP, and the intricate legal challenges faced during its implementation.

Today, the Chamber of Deputies approved in the third reading an amendment to the Legal Profession Act. The amendment brings a number of significant changes to the practice of the legal profession in the Czech Republic.

Remote work has transformed from an emergency measure during the pandemic into a mainstream practice, with profound implications for Romania's employment landscape. However, the legal and practical challenges associated with remote work continue to evolve, requiring employers to stay agile and informed.

Belgrade’s history is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. Over centuries, the city has been a crossroads of civilizations, with each era bringing new rulers, new ideas, and new architectural styles.

Hungary introduced new regulations for employing guest workers from third countries. These updates specify eligible countries and permit requirements to align with Hungary’s labour market needs and compliance standards.

The Hungarian Act on Fees and Duties will be changed significantly as of 28 January 2025, which will also affect the fees for court proceedings.

The Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products ("ACAA") is an intermediary step for Ukraine to benefit from the mutual recognition of product quality between the EU and Ukraine until our country becomes a full EU Member State.

On 17 December 2024, in a lawsuit brought by a tenant against his landlord for repayment of operating costs and rent increases based on indexation, the Supreme Court ruled (10 Ob 54/24z) that the landlord was obliged to repay the operating costs, but confirmed the validity of the value retention clause and provided some clarification on points that had previously been controversial.

As artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology develops, its capacity to create original works in a wide variety of fields such as literature, music, mass – media, complex art, and even software has become more apparent. This remarkable ability raises significant questions on whether these works may be protected by copyright, and the broader implications for both creators and consumers.

The legislator recently introduced a number of implementing regulations for the Architecture Act and more are expected in the near future. In this article, DLA Piper Hungary's lawyers outline the key details of the new, generally mandatory contractor's professional liability insurance, taking into account that contractors must have such insurance from 15 January 2025.

Based on the contents of the government decree on construction works in effect since 1 October 2024, all domestic construction or design firms and self-employed persons must have compulsory contractors' liability insurance starting from 15 January 2025.

On 10 January 2025, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s issued a Determination pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14024 (“the EO 14024 Determination”) and a Determination pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 14071 (“the EO 14071 Determination”).

On 1 January 2025, inter alia, an amendment to the Personal Income Tax Act relating to intellectual property (IP) contribution entered into force.

At the session held on December 19, 2024, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Bill of Law on Construction of Buildings and the Bill of Law on Spatial Planning. It was proposed that these laws should be adopted through an expedited procedure.

The AI Act introduces a comprehensive legal framework for companies dealing with AI systems in the EU. From 2 February 2025, companies subject to the regulation must take steps to ensure AI literacy and ensure that no prohibited AI practices are used. Non-compliance could lead to substantial fines.

Recovering trade debts in North Macedonia can be challenging, especially when maintaining ongoing commercial relationships with local debtors. The recovery process entails a business creditor attempting to collect payment for an unpaid invoice for goods or services provided to a local customer who is legally obligated to pay what they owe.

A new law that will significantly improve the grid connection of renewables was approved by the Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on January 14, 2025.