In a compact nation like Estonia, the prominence of construction projects can swiftly transcend local interests and become matters of national interest. The escalation of public attention toward large-scale construction projects invites heightened scrutiny by different interest groups. Notably, several recent projects have become entangled in legal disputes, profoundly impacting anticipated timelines and financial forecasts. This article aims to delineate emerging patterns from recent cases and offer recommendations aimed at preventing and avoiding legal contentions.

Linklaters and Cobalt have advised Mirova on its investment in the Estonia-based Baltic Storage Platform energy storage project, a joint venture between Corsica Sole and Evecon established in 2023.

On the evening of April 25, 2024, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms in the region in Warsaw.

Magnusson has successfully represented Albrecht & Dill Trading in having its claim accepted as part of the bankruptcy proceedings against Erst Finance, Albergrupp Teenused, and Omul-Fot, in bankruptcy.

Estonian law firm Lextal, Latvian law firm RER Lextal, and Lithuanian law firm ILAW Lextal have unveiled their new name and identity: Widen, "a Baltic law firm that sees itself as the Legal Jazz Company."

Former Alterna Partner Annika Vait has joined Rask as a Partner and Co-Head of the firm's Business Consulting and Transactions department.

Walless and Fort have announced their agreement to merge their Estonian operations under the Walless brand, while Walless will also strengthen its operational capacities in Latvia with the addition of the Fort Latvia litigation team.

Did you know that the CEE Q1 leaderboards are available through the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?

TGS Baltic has advised Estonian energy company Soldera on launching the first renewable energy certificate of origin management platform in Estonia.

Former Senior Associate Liis Konn has been promoted to a Partner position with Ellex in Estonia. In her new role, she will co-lead the Dispute Resolution practice at the firm.

Lextal, working alongside Finnish Dittmar & Indrenius, has advised Dasos Capital on its sale of a forest asset portfolio to Ingka Investments.

Tallinn's Rask law firm has announced it signed a strategic cooperation agreement with environmental consulting firm Hendrikson DGE to offer the best possible service to clients based on a "unique combination of information and experience [resulting from] the daily interaction of our specialists."

Did you know that the early 2024 deal leaderboards are already available via the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?

TGS Baltic, working with Cederquist, has advised Kinnevik on the sale of its entire holding in Tele2 to Freya Investissement for a total of SEK 13 billion.

Finnish Hameenlinna Administrative Court made a historic resolution on 22.02.2024, in which it found that Wolt couriers are entrepreneurs, not employees. The question of whether platform employees are independent entrepreneurs or salaried employees is also relevant in Estonia. If and how can the resolution of the Finnish court affect how the activities of couriers would be qualified according to Estonian law?

TGS Baltic and Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov have advised Ifco Systems on its acquisition of Bepco. RASK advised Rostock Capital, Navitas, and Green Technology on the sale.

Pohla & Hallmagi has advised the KindlustusEst insurance broker on the sale of its commercial client portfolio to the Estonian office of global insurance broker Howden. Ellex advised Howden.

Walless has advised the Med Grupe shareholders on the sale of their pan-Baltic dental equipment distribution business to Straumann. Sorainen reportedly advised the Straumann Group.