Wolf Theiss, working alongside Ropes & Gray, has advised Audax Private Equity on its acquisition of Avantor’s Clinical Services business.

Havel & Partners has advised Garbe Industrial Real Estate on the sale of a manufacturing and warehouse complex in Chomutov, North Bohemia, to Fio investment. Wilsons advised Fio investment.

The sustainable finance sector has seen a surge, with Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs) hitting EUR 212 billion in early 2024^[1], driven by a global emphasis on environmental responsibility and incentivizing ESG-compliant practices. This trend underscores the role of SLLs in corporate finance and global sustainability efforts.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

On 1 July 2024, the long-awaited Act on Collective Civil Proceedings (the Class Actions Act) entered into force, allowing consumers and small entrepreneurs to pursue their claims in court together through a class action.

CEE Attorneys has advised Asker Group on its acquisition of Aspironix. Havel & Partners advised the seller.

Clifford Chance has advised KKCG's IT pillar on the integration of the acquisition debt, following the acquisition of Avenga Group, into the group's umbrella financing.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With managing firm clients being a critical aspect of firms’ operations, we asked: What are the three most important elements when onboarding a new client?

In 2021, a new Construction Act (No. 283/2021 Coll.) was adopted in the Czech Republic. This groundbreaking legal norm was designed to solve problems in the permitting process for infrastructure and other projects, such as lengthy administrative procedures, a cumbersome process of obtaining consents and opinions from various authorities, and often a lack of coordination among authorities, which frequently caused inconsistencies in interpreting the law as well as delays.

Greenberg Traurig has advised CCC Group on the up to PLN 1.8 billion term and revolving facilities provided by a consortium of banks and finance institutions. Clifford Chance and Lakatos, Koves and Partners advised the lenders.

BPV Braun Partners has announced the re-election of Arthur Braun as its Managing Partner.

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.).