CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
White & Case has advised a consortium of lenders consisting of Ceska Sporitelna, a.s., Raiffeisenbank a.s., and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, a.s. on the up to CZK 150 million and EUR 123 million financing and refinancing of capital expenditures and acquisition costs for C-Energy s.r.o.
Dentons has successfully represented an unlawfully sterilized woman in administrative court proceedings against the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic regarding a denied claim for compensation and subsequent appeal on a pro bono basis.
Clifford Chance has advised Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka on financing the acquisition of Solarpark Kamenicna by Enery Development. CMS reportedly advised Enery.
This March, MEPs approved new rules for artificial intelligence (AI), the so-called Artificial Intelligence Act. This was presented by the European Commission in April 2021. It is the world's first comprehensive AI legislation. The Act aims to improve the functioning of the internal market by setting a single legal framework for the development, launch and use of AI. The AI Act also seeks to reduce the administrative and financial burden on businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
White & Case has advised the Accolade Group on the issuance of CZK 3 billion 8.00% notes due 2029 with Ceska Sporitelna, J&T, and Komercni Banka as the arrangers and joint lead managers.
In the Czech Republic, labor law advice has become highly sought after, primarily due to recent legislative amendments and the implementation of whistleblowing and other EU regulations, according to Peterka & Partners Partner and Director for the Czech Republic Adela Krbcova, with the surge in interest driven by the need for transparent and predictable working conditions and work-life balance.
New regulations governing agreements to complete a job (in Czech: dohoda o provedení práce) came into effect in the Czech Republic on 1 July 2024, with additional provisions set to be implemented on 1 January 2025. These amendments significantly modify the original provisions outlined in the Czech Consolidation Package (Act No. 349/2023 Coll.).
Kocian Solc Balastik has advised Seyfor on its acquisition of Recruitis.io.
The new Czech Building Act (Act No. 283/2021 Coll., the Building Act, as amended (NBA)) became effective on 1 January 2024 and gradually replaces legislation set forth primarily in Act No. 183/2006 Coll., on zoning and building regulations (Building Act), as amended (OBA).
Kocian Solc Balastik and Hillbridges have advised J&T Banka on Discovery Group’s Centro Nitra refinancing. DLA Piper reportedly advised Discovery Group.
Kocian Solc Balastik has advised Seyfor on the acquisition of Datacruit from GoodGroup. Briza & Trubac advised GoodGroup.
You may have noticed that there has been a discussion about an amendment to the Act on Protection of Competition in recent weeks. If it passes the legislative procedure, what would it mean in practice?
Kinstellar has advised Genesis Growth Equity Fund I on the acquisition of a majority stake in Predvyber. Talers advised Predvyber.
Eversheds Sutherland has advised Silon on its acquisition of Pesl.
Since the early 1990s, following the fall of the Iron Curtain, international law firms have established and expanded their presence in the Czech Republic, creating a dynamic legal market alongside burgeoning local firms. Deloitte Legal Czech Republic Managing Partner Martin Bohuslav and CMS Prague and Bratislava Partner Helen Rodwell explore the strategic entries, exits, and endurance of these firms amidst evolving market conditions and economic challenges in the region.
Siemens General Counsel for the Czech Republic and Slovakia Richard Bacek talks about his transition from law firms to in-house and ongoing challenges including navigating new legislation, such as cybersecurity regulations.
An in-depth look at Tomas Sequens of Kocian Solc Balastik covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Investment funds in the Czech Republic are regulated by the Czech Investment Companies and Investment Funds Act (ZISIF) and by local implementing regulations (governmental decrees and decrees of the Czech National Bank – CNB).
PRK Partners, one of the leading Central European law firms, has been helping clients achieve their business objectives almost 30 years. Our team of lawyers, based in our Prague, Ostrava, and Bratislava offices, has a unique knowledge of Czech and Slovak law and of the business environment. Our lawyers studied at top law schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland and elsewhere. They also have experience working for leading international and domestic law firms in a number of jurisdictions. We speak your language, too. Our legal team is fluent in more than 15 languages, including all the key languages of the region.
PRK Partners has one of the most experienced legal teams on the market. We are consistently rated as one of the leading law firms in the region. We have received many significant honours and awards for our work. We represent the interests of international clients operating in the Czech Republic in an efficient way, combining local knowledge with an understanding of their global requirements in a business-friendly approach. We are one of the largest law firms in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Our specialised teams of lawyers and tax advisors advise major global corporations as well as local companies. We provide comprehensive legal advice drawing on our profound knowledge of local law and markets.
Our legal advice delivers tangible results – as proven by our strong track record. We are the only Czech member firm of Lex Mundi, the world's leading network of independent law firms. As one of the leading law firms in the region, we have received many national and international awards, in some cases several years in a row. Honours include the Chambers Europe Award for Excellence, The Lawyer and Czech and Slovak Law Firm of the Year. Thanks to our close cooperation with leading international law firms and strong local players, we can serve clients in multiple jurisdictions around the globe. Our strong network means that we can meet your needs, wherever you do business.
PRK Partners has been repeatedly voted among the most socially responsible firms in the category of small and mid-sized firms and was awarded the bronze certificate at the annual TOP Responsible Firm of the Year Awards.
Our work is not only “business”: we have participated on a longstanding basis in a wide variety of pro bono projects and supported our partners from the non-profit sector (Kaplicky Centre Endowment Fund, Tereza Maxová Foundation, Czech Donors Forum, etc.).
Firm's website: www.prkpartners.com
