CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
On December 29, 2023, Law no.429/2023 on amendments of the Law on natural gas no.108/2018 entered into force. The amendment contains some provisions regarding the creation and maintenance of natural gas stocks. Thus, the government will undertake the necessary measures to ensure the use, until November 1 of each year, of the natural gas storage capacity in the storage facilities of other countries that are part of the Energy Community and of the member states of the European Union.
In a detailed discussion on Moldova’s evolving fintech sector, ACI Partners Head of Fintech and E-Payments Nicolina Turcan highlights significant progress, largely driven by technological advancements, cross-border market integration, and the country's need to align its regulatory framework with EU regulations and directives and adjust its payment infrastructure.
This legislative monitoring report covers the introduction of new rules regulating public procurement in international relations, the adoption of the Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and EFTA member states, the introduction of new rules regulating trademarks from 2027, the adoption of the regulation on audiovisual content. The document also provides for the approval of the regulation on the environmental management of mercury waste, the adoption of the law on hunting and the protection of game resources, the implementation of the national programme for the development of creative industries "Creative Moldova" for the years 2024-2027, as well as the optimisation of the use of industrial parks.
Dolea & Co Partner Sorin Dolea talks about the evolution of energy projects and their role in Moldova's legal landscape over the last 10 years.
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.
ACI Partners' Competition practice is busier than ever in Moldova, according to Legal Manager Carolina Parcalab, who points to transactions, Competition Council investigations, and competition law educational initiatives as their primary work sources.
Contributed by Aci Partners.
This Section includes information on legal acts implementing new rules or amendments, published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Moldova, referring to corporate, employment, social, taxation, customs, environment, and other matters. This Section also includes draft legislation of any direct or indirect relevance to the Company; as well as the temporary legislative measures approved pursuant to the state of emergency in the Republic of Moldova.
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.
Moldova faces significant challenges in terms of insolvency in the future. In exploring the factors influencing this area of law, we examine the current state of affairs, anticipate trends, and look at how legal practitioners are gearing up to meet the expected rise in demand. Let’s break down the key points.
Bucharest-based ONV Law has announced it opened a new subsidiary in Chisinau, Moldova – with Mihail Gorincioi set to coordinate the new operation – and aims to surpass a cumulative turnover of EUR 2.5 million in the year 2024.
Did you know that, using the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, you can look up the 2023 deal leaderboards in each CEE market, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia?
By Decision No. 361 dated 24 November 2023, the Parliament decided to extend the emergency state on the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova for 30 days, starting on 1 December 2023.
On January 22, 2024, Vernon David announced that Victoriabank’s acquisition of the BCR Chisinau subsidiary (reported by CEE Legal Matters on April 7, 2023) had closed.
Former Senior Associate Valeriu Cernei has been promoted to a Partner position with Gladei & Partners in Chisinau.
On 21 December 2023 the Moldovan Parliament adopted significant amendments to the Law No.77/2016 on Information Technology Parks („IT Parks Law”) positioning Moldova as an attractive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). These amendments notably extend the eligibility criteria for IT Park residents, offering particular advantages to export-oriented BPO service providers.
The IT sector, which is the most innovative area of the 21st century, requires the most innovative tax approaches. Moldova also considered the specific features that distinguish the IT sector and created a specific incentive tax regime for IT firms. In this regard, Law on Information Technology Parks No. 77 of April 21, 2016, regulates the activity carried out by firms that become IT Park residents and grants them the opportunity to apply for a single tax regime.
Recently, in the legal framework of Moldova was proposed a project regarding the modification of Standard Contractual Clauses (“SCCs”) for cross-border transmission of personal data that is meant to give a good refresh to the current regulation and ensure a better harmonization with the GDPR.
ACI Partners is a leading law firm in Moldova with an expanding network of partners throughout Europe. ACI Partners was established in 2006 and since then has managed to build a very strong and competitive legal practice. Our business strategy strives to deliver a solid and reliable service, going beyond merely grasping the law, which the clients may turn to whenever they need. In reaching this goal, ACI Partners employs a personalized approach to each client, showing a genuine respect for their values and unqualified commitment to their interests and needs, steadily investing in knowledge and data management and ensuring a working environment consistent with our clients’ quality demands and high expectations.
ACI Partners is a one-stop shop law firm proficient in all possible legal matters a business might come across in Moldova, starting with incorporation of a business, and obtaining of all the necessary regulatory permits, continuing with various daily matters, such as contracts, labor, and migration, and finishing with dispute settlement, insolvencies, and criminal investigations. But we pride ourselves especially for our unmatched expertise in most innovative and complex areas for Moldova, as Modern Financial Products, Data Protection, Renewable Energy, Competition, Clinical Studies, Public Procurement, and Regulatory. In our work, we always involve a team of professionals with the relevant skill-mix, which enables us to provide our clients with an integrated and comprehensive advice, superior to our competitors.
ACI Partners has advised the Government of the Republic of Moldova, businesses, international organizations, and other institutions on most challenging transactions, assignments and projects.
ACI Partners is not just another law firm. Over the course of our existence and working in Moldova, and on the international stage for our non-Moldovan clients, we have developed a strong set of core values which, we believe, guide us in everything that we do and, moreover, gives us a competitive advantage – differentiating us from other firms on the market.
