On 10^th October 2024, the Commission for the Protection of Competition (“Commission”) initiated an ex officio investigation proceedings for potential antitrust violation involving DELHAIZE SERBIA DRUŠTVO SA OGRANIČENOM ODGOVORNOŠĆU BEOGRAD (NOVI BEOGRAD), Mercator-S DOO BEOGRAD, UNIVEREXPORT EXPORT-IMPORT DOO, and DIS DOO KRNJEVO (“Companies”).

The new Waste Management Law of Montenegro (“the Law”), which came into force on April 12, 2024, represents a step further towards harmonizing Montenegrin legislation with the acquis communautaire, namely key European Union (“EU”) directives in the area of waste management.

The Law on Management of Companies Owned by the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter: the Law) came into force on 16 September 2024 in full. This Law was adopted in accordance with the recommendations that the Republic of Serbia received from the International Monetary Fund in order to corporatization, improve management and change the legal form of enterprises in the Republic of Serbia.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has proposed amendments to the Law on Public Notaries ("Official Gazette of RS", no. 31/2011, 85/2012, 19/2013, 55/2014 - other law, 93/2014 - other law, 121/ 2014, 6/2015 and 106/2015) with the purpose of introducing the obligation to solemnize monetary loan agreements between natural persons in the amount of EUR 10,000 and higher.

Montenegro is not a member state of the European Union but rather a candidate country for membership, which status was granted on December 17, 2010.  As such, European Union regulations are not directly applicable in Montenegro, however, many regulations have been harmonized with EU directives as a result of the harmonization process (acquis Communautaire).

CEE Legal Matters is proud to introduce the latest in our Comparative Guides series. This one focuses on Oil & Gas in CEE.

Contributed by JPM & Partners.

The Parliament of Montenegro passed the Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, which was published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro on August 23rd, 2024. The Law will enter into force on the eighth day from the day of its publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.

JPM & Partners has advised the founders of the Sidro philanthropic foundation on its launch in Serbia.

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.

As a result of major market changes, business entities more often suspend their operations and become insolvent, during which arises the question of the collectability of the claims of their creditors and associates, as well as persons who are in other relationships with such insolvent business entities.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As partner departures are inherent to the workings of any law firm, and likely demand clear strategies for navigating, this time around we asked: What are the three most important items on your checklist when a Partner leaves your firm?

New Customs Law brought about additional certainty in social relations – the subject law clearly envisages in its Article 35 that the customs authority may, in the procedure of post-release control/examination, verify the existence, authenticity, accuracy, and validity of any accompanying document.

JPM Partners has successfully represented photographer Stevo Vasiljevic before the Court of Appeals of Montenegro in a case against NGO Radio Skala concerning a violation of copyright rights.

The rise of social media has transformed marketing strategies across the globe, and Serbia is no exception. Influencers - individuals with significant social media followings - play a pivotal role in promoting products and services. The influencer marketing industry has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years. As of 2024, it is projected to reach a market size of $24 billion, up from $21.1 billion in 2023. However, with this growing industry comes the necessity for regulation to ensure transparency, consumer protection, and ethical practices.

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.

Given the complexity of modern legal traffic, the complex economic structures are becoming a standard in today’s business transactions. There is an increase in business activities which include a larger number of participants. Accordingly, disputes involving more than two subjects are occurring ever more often - especially on the international level. In light of this, the ICC International Court of Arbitration even noted an increase in multi-party arbitrations stating that one-third of ICC cases today involve multiple parties.[i]

Companies are not obliged to use the stamp while doing business, as stated in Article 15 paragraph 1 of the Company law of Montenegro ("Company Law"). The legislator’s intention when prescribing freedom while regulating use of stamps in doing business was to unburden the Company’s business, i.e. to not burden the business with additional formal conditions, as well as to leave the issue of the use of the stamp to the company to regulate it by a general or special internal act.