CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Following the criticism of the current state of regulatory burden in The Future of European Competitiveness report by Mario Draghi (issued in September 2024) and in the Budapest Declaration by the European Council which called upon European Commission to reduce reporting requirements by at least 25 % in the first half of 2025 (issued in November 2024) the European Commission announced a series of so-called “Omnibus” simplification packages.
In a significant turn in Austrian jurisprudence, the Austrian Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision on February 19, 2025 (file number 7 Ob 169/24i) (2024 Ruling), revising its long-standing position on loan processing fees previously upheld since its judgement in 2016 (Austrian Supreme Court 30.03.2016, 6 Ob 13/16d).
Schoenherr has successfully advised Stadtwerke Klagenfurt on the environmental impact assessment declaration proceedings for the Alpen-Adria-Sportbad.
For years, the European Union has been taking measures related to the decarbonization of industry, i.e. the reduction and, in the long term, elimination of CO2 emissions. Examples include the EU Emissions Trading System, which has been in place since 2005, or the regulations on industrial emissions of 2010.
In line with relevant European legislation, from 28 June 2025, new accessibility provisions will apply in Hungary to certain products and services, affecting a wide range of companies.
Given the growing emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices, obligations in the field of ESG are becoming increasingly significant. The banking sector is emerging as one of the key players in this transformation, with evolving regulatory frameworks influencing its operations.
With the adoption of the Law on the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 19/2025), which entered into force on 14 March 2025, the legal framework governing this area has undergone significant changes. The application of most provisions is postponed until 15 September 2026, while certain provisions are applicable earlier.
