Until 2014, less than 10 percent of the largest companies in the European Union regularly disclosed non-financial information about their operations as part of reports that supplement annual financial consolidated reports. Although they were obliged to do so by the then-current Directive of the European Union, the requirements of the existing legislation proved to need to be more transparent and more effective.

The Russian invasion is still ongoing, affecting all areas of life in Ukraine, but there are slivers of hope and reasons to stay positive and optimistic, according to Kinstellar Partner Alla Kozachenko.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, 219,153 Russian citizens have immigrated to Serbia. In contrast, over the past year, more than four thousand Russian entrepreneurs and companies have been established in Serbia.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine hit the one-year mark, we asked Ukrainian law firms how they adjusted to the new circumstances, how their mandates and teams have evolved, and about the support they received from their colleagues abroad throughout this period.

Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the world faces an ever-increasing number of restrictive measures and sanctions introduced in various jurisdictions. While the global sanctions landscape has been long established, it has developed rapidly after February 24, 2022.

In “The Corner Office” we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With a rough year drawing to a close, and market uncertainties running high, the question this time: If you had a million dollars, what would you invest it in today?

Cerha Hempel Hungary and the SOG Law Firm have been appointed as members of an international legal consortium to screen potential companies and advise on investments by the Emirate of Dubai’s “Operation 300 Billion” program. The consortium also reportedly includes the Boros Arpad Andras law firm in Budapest.

Our current publication is in detail Serbian Legal Framework for alcoholic beverages. It thoroughly analyses governmental approvals required to market alcoholic beverages, advertising restrictions, licensing and distribution requirements and restrictions, permissible product ingredients, and practical compliance issues.

One of the long-debated domestic themes is non-existence of retail NPL market in Serbia. Following the 2008 World Economic Crisis in Serbia, the country managed to regulate corporate NPL market, and to decrease NPL level from 20% to 3,19 %.

Kinstellar has advised BRD-Groupe Societe Generale on its EUR 24.3 million financing to Speedwell for the development of two green residential buildings in Timisoara, Romania. Wolf Theiss reportedly advised Speedwell.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, nine law firms in Central and Eastern Europe got off to an exceptionally strong start in 2023, with five client matters or more reported on by CEE Legal Matters in the first month of the year alone?

Ministry of Mining and Energy published on 21st January, long awaited draft of the Amendments to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (RESA) with purpose to push forward further investments in RES sector by creating better legal framework for development of new projects.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, although a total of ten lawyers worked on three reported Corporate/M&A deals in the Czech Republic over the past 12 months, only one of those ten reported working on more?

Aside from Croatia entering the Euro and Schengen zones, there have been numerous other legislative updates of note – primarily in the spheres of labor and land rights – according to Miroslav Plascar, Co-Managing Partner of Zuric i Partneri in cooperation with Kinstellar.

Kinstellar’s Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri has advised Angelina Yachtcharter Holding on its acquisition of 85% of the shares of Jadranka Yachting from Jadranka d.d. and Arman Percinlic.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov worked on 15 reported client matters in Bulgaria in 2022 – more than any other law firm?

Paksoy, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised Groupe Cahors on its acquisition of Schneider Electric companies that operate transformer plants in Turkey and Poland. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership reportedly advised the sellers. Volt Associes and Kinstellar Turkish affiliate Gen Temizer Ozer reportedly advised the lenders.

Former Osborne Clarke CEO Simon Beswick has joined Kinstellar’s Board of Directors as a non-executive member.