Administrative Law

New Legislation also Affects Consumers

At the beginning of the year, several legislative changes came into force that affect both our daily lives and general administration procedures. For example, when purchasing movables or digital goods, the implied warranty period has increased from 6 months to one year. Besides, the concept of residence and place of residence has also changed, and thanks to video-assisted procedures, we will soon no longer have to visit government offices in person. The temporary rules on remote work, though not as of January, will be laid down in legislation in an act upon the termination of the state of emergency.

Law Proposal Amending the Press Law and Further Laws Has Been Published

On May 27, 2022, the Law Proposal Amending the Press Law and Further Laws (“Draft”) has been published on Grand National Assembly of Turkey’s (TBMM) website, which includes significant amendments to various laws. The Draft is currently submitted before the relevant commissions (i.e. Justice Commission and Digital Platforms Commission) for discussions, and it is one of the agenda items of the Digital Platforms Commission’s meeting of June 1, 2022. The Draft is anticipated to be published within the second quarter of 2022.

Cobalt Successful for Pienava Wind in Dispute Against Tukums Municipality

Cobalt has successfully represented Eolus Vind subsidiary Pienava Wind before Latvia's Administrative Regional Court in a dispute against the Tukums Municipality for the approval of the construction of a 22-turbine wind farm.

Contract Termination Due to a Hardship Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic – A Brief Overview of Domestic Regulation and Court Practice

COVID-19 pandemic caused different market distortions that imposed economic entities to various challenges, both in terms of their relations with the clients, i.e., consumers, and their mutual relations.

Transposition of the Legislative Package “New Deal for Consumers” Into National Law

Emergency Ordinance No. 58/2022 amending and supplementing consumer protection acts (“GEO No. 58/2022”) was published in the Official Gazette, Part I, No. 456 of 6 May 2022. The act entered into force on 28 May 2022.

Single Registration Platform – Free Access to the Labour Market within the Open Balkan

At Open Balkan Summit held in Tirana on December 21, 2021, several agreements were signed by Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, including the Agreement on conditions for free access to the labour market in the Western Balkans, which was subsequently ratified by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on December 29, 2021, and published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia – International Agreements no. 27/2021 from December 30, 2021 (“the Agreement”).

Bill of Amendments to the Law on Foreigners – Setting the Legal Framework for Issuing Visas and Residence Permits to Digital Nomads

On 18 May 2022, a Bill on Amendments to the Law on foreigners (hereinafter: “Bill”), was submitted to the Parliament, introducing legislative solutions for obtaining visas and residence permits for digital nomads.