Georgia’s legal market has seen limited meaningful legislative activity over the past year, with political developments dominating the agenda, according to BGI Legal Senior Partner Lasha Gogiberidze, who mentions a few notable regulatory changes, ongoing uncertainty surrounding foreign agent legislation, and a major dispute outcome that could impact investor confidence going forward.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised Citigroup Global Markets Europe, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, and J.P. Morgan as joint bookrunners and joint lead managers, as well as The Law Debenture Trust Corporation as trustee, on the EUR 700 million issuance of 8% senior guaranteed green notes by Energo-Pro. Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, advised the issuer. BLC Law Office and White & Case and its Turkish affiliate law firm GKC Partners reportedly advised the issuer and guarantors. Boyanov & Co and, reportedly, BGI Advisory Services advised the joint bookrunners, the joint lead managers, and the trustee as well.

Georgia’s legal and business landscape remains heavily influenced by political turbulence, according to BLC Law Office Managing Partner Ketti Kvartskhava, who reports ongoing instability, controversial legislation, and heightened uncertainty surrounding the country’s EU integration prospects.

Georgia-based MG Law Office has announced it is becoming Andersen Legal and is integrating with Andersen Georgia.

Georgia’s political and judicial challenges are impacting lawyers, particularly with attempts to introduce FARA-style regulations in a way that could restrict their work, according to J&T Consulting Partner Otar Machaidze. Legal work is stagnating and businesses are waiting for stability while the new convention on lawyers offers a rare glimmer of hope.

Former Head of KPMG Law Georgia Jaba Gvelebiani has launched Gvelebiani Law.