September 2020 has brought negative prices for electricity on the Romanian balancing market (“BM”). How was this possible and what are the consequences?

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii has advised the Clever Business Transilvania media group on its acquisition of Prima TV in Romania.

Acting on behalf of Hidroelectrica, Filip & Co has successfully persuaded the European Court of Justice to, in the firm's words, "confirm the free market status for all energy transactions by stating that imposing OPCOM as the sole transaction platform for producers is an unjustified restriction on the free movement of goods."

In November 2018, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have enacted the Directive (EU) 2018/1808 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination on certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administration in Member States concerning the provision of audio-visual media services in view of changing market realities (the “Audio-Visual Media Services Directive”).

Bondoc & Asociatii has advised Eviva Energy on the restructuring of an outstanding commercial debt owed to it by an unspecified renewable energy operator in Romania.

The screening of foreign direct investments (FDIs) has been a hot topic for some time now across CEE. Several jurisdictions have adopted stricter measures of scrutiny allowing for the vetting of transactions potentially posing security risks.

CEE Attorneys / Boanta, Gidei si Asociatii has advised Romanian entrepreneur Andrei Cretu on the launch of the Pluria B2B platform.

PNSA has advised Burda Group on the sale of its business in Romania to an unspecified buyer.

AbbVie has promoted Romanian lawyer Alex Potlog in the role of Legal Director for the UK and Ireland.

Under Law no. 307/2006 on fire prevention, the managing directors of economic operators that meet certain statutory criteria are required to set up and operate a private emergency service or commission a voluntary or private emergency firefighting service.

After approving Emergency Ordinance no. 153/2020 (the “EO”) “establishing incentives for companies to increase their equity” on August 14, 2020, the Romanian Government published it on 4 September 2020.

Glodeanu & Partners has advised Blue Rock Investments on the acquisition of two logistic centers in Bucharest from unspecified sellers.

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has advised WDP, a Belgian developer and owner of logistics centers and warehousing, on the acquisition of the Aquila Logistics Centre in Cluj from ​SNS Logistic Investment, the Craiova Logistics Centre in Dolj from Tamo-Ko Development SRL, and the Dunca Logistics Centre in Timis from Dunca Imobiliare. NNDKP advised SNS Logistic investment and Schwartz & Asociatii reportedly advised Tamo-Ko Development on those two deals.

Popovici Nitu Stoica and Asociatii has advised Auchan Retail Romania on its agreement with OMV Petrom to place 400 MyAuchan stores in the entire Petrom network over the next five years.

A draft law on measures relating to information and communication infrastructures of national interest and the conditions for the implementation of 5G networks (the “Draft Law”) was launched on August 4, 2020 for public consultation by the Ministry of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communications and slightly revised on September 2, 2020.

Former Schoenherr Attorneys Emeric Domokos, Andreea Neagu, Artur Tintari, and Oana Sarbu have left that firm to open Domokos Partners, a new law firm in Romania.

The NGL Symbio law firm alliance has announced its creation in five countries of CEE, and its plans to be fully operational by January 1, 2021.

Dentons Bucharest Managing Partner Perry Zizzi has been appointed Head of M&A in Romania.