CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Greenberg Traurig has advised two shareholders of Elektromontaz-Poznan – Pawel Gricuk and Artur Cakala – on the sale of their shares to Spie Group. Baker McKenzie advised Spie Group.
Baker McKenzie has advised Emirates NBD Bank, Goldman Sachs International, HSBC Bank J.P. Morgan Securities, and Merrill Lynch International as joint bookrunners on Zorlu Enerji's USD 800 million debut Rule 144A/Reg S senior guaranteed sustainability-linked notes issuance. White & Case and its Turkish affiliate GKC Partners advised Zorly Enerji.
SSW, working with K&L Gates Volckrick Luxembourg, has advised a group of minority shareholders of Zabka Group on issues related to the public offering of Zabka. Reportedly, Greenberg Traurig, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Elvinger Hoss Prussen advised the shareholders of Zabka as well. Baker McKenzie and Allen Overy Shearman Sterling reportedly advised the managers.
Former Baker McKenzie Senior Associate Katerina Schenkova has joined Thyssenkrupp as its new Regional Compliance Officer.
Greenberg Traurig has advised Nrep on the acquisition of a plot of land in the Bielany district of Warsaw and a development agreement with White Stone Development for the construction of a building. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised White Stone Development.
Baker McKenzie has advised MHP on its acquisition of KTL Ukraine Group from Ihor Khokhlov, Andriy Kuzmin, and Serhii Kocherhin.
Baker McKenzie has advised Bank Pekao on the issuance of EUR 500 million 4.00% senior non-preferred Eurobonds due 2030 under its EMTN program established in November 2023. Clifford Chance reportedly advised JP Morgan on the deal.
On 27 September 2024, the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Labor Code of Ukraine on Establishing Additional Grounds for Termination of Employment Agreements at the Initiative of the Employer and Certain Other Issues" No. 3768-IX dated 4 June 2024 ("Law") (with certain exceptions) will come into force.
For the pharmaceutical industry in the Hungarian market, the first half of 2024 involved several legislative changes with significant practical implications. Some of these changes have yet to unfold their full impact, due to the lack of implementing regulations and prerequisite authority actions.
White & Case’s Turkish affiliate GKC Partners has advised Zurich Insurance on its acquisition of NN Hayat ve Emeklilik. Baker McKenzie's Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised the sellers.
With its resolution numbered i-SPK.35.B.1 (dated 19 September 2024 and numbered 1484) (the “Resolution“), the Capital Markets Board (the “CMB“) clarified the legal status of non-fungible tokens (“NFTs“) and crypto assets used in virtual games.
White & Case and its Turkish affiliate GKC Partners have advised Pegasus Airlines on its USD 500 million Eurobond issuance with Citigroup Group Markets Limited and Morgan Stanley & Co International as the joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners and J.P. Morgan Securities, HSBC Bank, SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, and BCP Securities as the joint bookrunners. Baker McKenzie and its Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised the joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners.
Baker McKenzie has advised Uniwater on its acquisition of 4 Pipes. Fries Rechtsanwaelte reportedly advised the sellers.
Eversheds Sutherland has advised Edwards Lifesciences on the USD 4.2 billion sale of its Critical Care product group to Becton, Dickinson, and Company. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised Becton, Dickinson, and Company.
On 16 August 2024, new rules for the registration of geographical indications in Ukraine came into force ("Rules"). In accordance with Order of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine No. 16370 dated 09.07.2024, the Rules establish requirements for the registration of geographical indications for agricultural goods, food and alcoholic beverages.
On 16 August 2024, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as of 9 August 2024 No. 925 ("Amending Resolution") became effective and introduced amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as of 18 March 2022 No. 314 "On Certain Issues of Ensuring of Carrying Out Commercial Activities During Martial Law" ("Resolution on Simplified Licensing Procedure").
Baker McKenzie has successfully defended Kosovo Telecom in a Swiss Rules Arbitration against a Kosovar company reselling its mobile credit as well as in the subsequent challenge of the award at the Swiss Supreme Court.
Baker McKenzie’s Turkish affiliate law firm Esin Attorney Partnership, working with Covington & Burling, has advised ACWA Power on the debt and ownership restructuring of its Turkish affiliate ACWA Guc. Paksoy and Milbank reportedly advised the lenders.
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In the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, Baker McKenzie's expansion remains steadfast, with a thriving team of over legal professionals. Our footprint extends across six offices in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Türkiye, and Ukraine. As part of our global network, coupled with well-established partnerships throughout the entire CEE landscape, we proudly stand as one of the foremost international law firms in this dynamic territory. Our reputation as a premier business law firm in CEE is a testament to our extensive experience in advising on a multitude of prestigious projects and nurturing enduring client relationships.