In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As sunny days recede, the fall conference season is upon us, so we asked: How do you determine which Partner attends which events?

The Czech Republic (the CR), as an OECD member state, generally speaking, has a tax system comparable to other economies. However, it does have some specificities. While in some areas, the Czech system is less strict (e.g., proving the movement of goods for VAT purposes), in other areas, the current practice in the CR is very formalistic and strict. This is the case, for example, for costs charged in a group between related parties, in particular costs for management services and marketing. Multinational groups unfamiliar with this approach from other European countries may therefore inadvertently get into a dispute with the local tax administration in the CR.

A set of two measures aimed at reducing state subsidies for renewable energy sources has been approved by the lower house of Parliament in the Czech Republic on 11 December 2024. These changes, proposed through amendments to the Act on Promoted Sources (the “RES Act”) and the Energy Act, specifically target solar power plants with a capacity of more than 30 kW that were connected in 2009 and 2010.

Wolf Theiss has advised Strabag Property and Facility Services on its acquisition of B2 Assets from Dusan Bocek. Dolezal & Partners advised the seller.

The Czech Republic has been a key global entertainment industry player for decades – whether through the quality of its local film production services, or the country’s use as a filming location, or with respect to developing world-famous video games. Now, in order to respond to the constantly evolving entertainment industry, to strengthen the competitiveness of the Czech audiovisual market, and to ensure the country remains a priority destination for major players developing film, series and video game projects, the Czech incentive scheme has been overhauled by lawmakers.

Kocian Solc Balastik and Nitschneider & Partners have advised the Seyfor Group on its acquisition of NCC from its founders. Zahradnik reportedly advised the sellers.

Former Rowan Legal Lawyers Lucie Kacerova and Jan Mekota have joined forces to establish Kacerova Mekota Advokati in Prague.

Filing a claim in insolvency proceedings may be the only way for creditors to recover at least part of the amount they are owed. In the Czech legal system, however, creditors face an understated but significant risk: if they overstate the amount of their claim, not only do they risk having it disregarded but they may also be required to pay a penalty to the debtor’s estate. This provision, embedded in the Czech Insolvency Act, acts as a double-edged sword: while it aims to prevent unfounded claims and speculation in insolvency proceedings, it often deters legitimate creditors from fully asserting their claims. This financial penalty has no equivalent in other European countries. So, how can creditors avoid penalties, and what should they know before submitting a claim in insolvency proceedings?

PRK Partners has advised J&T Banka on a EUR 68 million loan granted to the Julius Meinl Living Group. Glatzova & Co reportedly advised the Julius Meinl Living Group.

CEE Attorneys has advised on the sale of Data Force to Geetoo Group.

Former NGL Symbio alliance founding members Rowan Legal, Erdos Partners, Biris Goran, and HKV have announced a new set-up under the Horizons Alliance brand.

Former CTP Acting Group Head of Legal and Group Head of M&A Legal Kveta Vojtova and Head of M&A Michal Felcman have joined CPI Property Group as Group Head of M&A and Transaction Legal and Deputy COO and Group Head of M&A, respectively.

Havel & Partners has advised Rohlik Group on the formation of the EUR 120 million Rohlik Growth SICAV investment fund with the majority investor being Tomas Cupr and the remaining shares being held by JTFG Fund I SICAV from the J&T Group. Kocian Solc Balastik advised J&T Group.

The Czech Republic is struggling to implement the European SEVESO Directive into its legislation. Preventing the consequences of accidents in potentially hazardous companies, such as chemical plants, is thus in a state of emergency. After previous half-hearted solutions, however, the amendment that is being prepared by the Ministry of the Environment offers new hope.

White & Case has announced a new Local Partner hire in Prague as well as four new Local Partners in Prague and Warsaw as part of its latest promotion round.

White & Case has advised Energo-Pro Green Finance on its CZK 3.5 billion retail domestic offering of green notes due 2029 with J&T IB and Capital Markets as the arranger and J&T Banka and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia as the managers. A&O Shearman advised the joint lead managers.

Kocian Solc Balastik has advised Avant Loan Sicav on its first EU growth prospectus.

Dunovska & Partners has advised Aricoma on a parallel dual acquisition of IT companies TaxLabs from Synteca and Gist from individual sellers. Rowan Legal reportedly advised Synteca. Kaplan & Nohejl reportedly advised the sellers of Gist.