Diligent planning and proper execution of an acquisition is a significant step leading to a successful completion of an M&A transaction. This is especially true when an acquisition takes place in uncertain economic times. The current dynamic situation in Poland, including rising inflation and spiraling interest rates largely driven by post-pandemic demand and the war in Ukraine, means that investors need to react quickly, yet very carefully when structuring a deal. 

With the war in Ukraine raging for more than six months, law firms across the region have reported increased workloads in corporate and M&A, tax, employment, immigration law, and inquiries on the sanctions regimes in relevant jurisdictions, noting that companies from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus are variously looking for a new home. Whether to avoid sanctions or escape the war, those companies consider a variety of factors in determining where to go.

Gessel has advised Medicalgorithmics on its approximately PLN 220 million sale of a 49.99% stake in the company to investor Biofund.

White & Case has advised Eurowag subsidiary WAG Payment Solutions on its full acquisition of Grupa Inelo from Innova Capital, European Telematics Holding, and others. Rymarz Zdort advised the sellers.

CMS has advised a consortium of Zagrebacka Banka, the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the EBRD on financing Taaleri Energia and Encro's EUR 126 million project to build two onshore wind farms near Zadar.

Baker McKenzie has advised Equilis and Acteeum joint venture Ace 6 on its EUR 40 million sale of the Galeria Andrychow shopping center to Big Shopping Centers. CMS advised the buyer.

B2RLaw has advised Vestas on the establishment of a factory for offshore wind turbines in Szczecin.

Former Globalworth Head of Legal Judyta Sawicka has joined Echo Investment in Poland as its Head of Investment and Divestment.

Former Noerr Partner and Head of Warsaw office Radoslaw Biedecki has joined DWF’s Warsaw team as a Senior Counsel.

Sorainen has advised Sunly on raising approximately EUR 200 million to expand its renewable energy portfolio in the Baltics and Poland. The fundraising included existing shareholders and new investor Mirova. Ellex and Linklaters advised Mirova on the investment.

Sorainen has advised the INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund on its investment in LuxVet through INVL portfolio company MiniVet. DLA Piper’s Luxembourg office reportedly advised the INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund as well.

The new Polish company law shows promise for attracting foreign investors, while the Polish residential real estate market is struggling, according to Solivan Partner Bartosz Miszkurka.

Kubas Kos Galkowski has advised IMS Budownictwo on the sale of office building B in the Zablocie Business Park complex in Krakow to the Uniqa Group. Schoenherr reportedly advised Uniqa.

Gessel has advised Asist and its founder Rafal Cwiklinski on the sale of a stake in the company to the PIB Agency. Greenberg Traurig advised the buyers.

JDP Drapala & Partners has advised facility management company Apleona on its acquisition of Poland's FM Solutions.

Rymarz Zdort has advised Poland's Bank Guarantee Fund on the resolution process of the Getin Noble Bank.

Gessel has advised the Lux Med Group on its acquisition of the Mediss Dental Clinic in Gdansk.

The adoption of the Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR) and the Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) triggered changes in the medical devices law on the national level in Poland. The new Polish Medical Devices Act of 7 April 2022 (MDA) stipulates entirely new restrictions to advertising of medical devices (Articles 54-61) that were previously unknown to this industry sector and heavy sanctions for infringements of the new rules (Articles 103 and 104).