On 26 June 2024, the Romanian Competition Council (the "RCC") announced that it had conducted a dawn raid as part of an investigation concerning the possible abuse of a superior bargaining position by a company active in the supply of liquid medicinal oxygen against a public hospital. The investigation has been launched ex officio as a result of information received from public sources. The case is noteworthy as it marks the first time the RCC has launched a review regarding an alleged abuse of superior bargaining position, a relatively new type of infringement under Romanian competition rules.

Biris Goran and Kinstellar have advised Global Vision and Globalworth, respectively, on the sale of a logistics portfolio to WDP. PeliPartners advised WDP.

Clifford Chance has advised Nala Renewables Limited on its acquisition of a ready-to-build photovoltaic park from Monsson Group in Caras Severin.

ACI Partners Managing Partner Igor Odobescu, Nagy es Trocsanyi Founding Partner Peter Nagy, Kinstellar Partner Radovan Grbovic, Law Office Vujacic Partner Sasa Vujacic, and Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii Partner Robert Rosu discuss recent litigation trends across CEE, driven by the impact of economic shifts and regulatory changes in their jurisdictions.

Bogdan Ilea has joined Popescu & Asociatii as Partner and the firm's new Head of Regulatory, Government & Public Affairs practice.

Filip & Company has advised Arobs Transilvania Software on the share capital increase operation through which it has raised EUR 28.7 million.

Filip & Company has advised Digi Group’s Spanish subsidiaries on a national roaming contract and a network and spectrum sharing contract with Telefonica Moviles Espana.

Further to the December 2023 amendments to the Romanian regime for screening inbound direct investments (that we previously covered here), which formally included EU investors within the scope of screening, the Romanian Parliament has adopted a new law (the “New Law”) to further strengthen the approach towards EU investors.

RTPR has advised Vectr Holdings on the indirect acquisition of the company that owns The Landmark office building in Bucharest from funds managed by Revetas Capital and affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management. Wolf Theiss advised Revetas Capital and Cerberus.

Last week was full of exciting news in relation to AI in Romania. First, the long-awaited AI Act was published in the EU’s Official Journal on 12 July, becoming Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. The AI Act is an essential part of the EU’s extensive digital strategy, alongside the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. The EU digital strategy aims to establish a thorough regulatory framework that tackles the diverse challenges and opportunities of the digital economy. Secondly, the Romanian Government approved the National Strategy regarding Artificial Intelligence (“AI Strategy”) on 11 July. The AI Strategy aims to contribute to Romania’s adoption of digital technologies in the economy and society, while respecting human rights and promoting excellence and trust in AI.

Leaua Damcali Deaconu Paunescu has promoted former Managing Associate Andra Soare-Filatov to Partner.

DLA Piper has advised Believe on a partnership with Global Records. RTPR advised Global Records.

On 12 April 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted the revised text of Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (the “Revised Directive”). The Revised Directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 8 May 2024 and Member States will have to transpose it into national legislation within 2 years of its entry into force (i.e. 28 May 2024).

Kinstellar has advised the majority shareholders of Agrotex on the sale of a significant stake to Promat Comimpex. PNSA reportedly advised Promat Comimpex.

Schoenherr, working with Rutgers & Posch, has advised the shareholders of Resalta on the disposal of a controlling stake in Resalta BV Netherlands, including its Slovenian, Croatian, Serbian, Romanian, and Czech Republic subsidiaries, to Aggreko. A&O Shearman reportedly advised Aggreko.

Popovici, Nitu, Stoica & Asociatii has advised Malherbe Transports on its acquisition of Contralog Europa.

BPV Grigorescu Stefanica has advised Omnia Capital on its investment in Cargo Buddy.

Filip & Company has advised Banca Transilvania on its synthetic securitization deal with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. White & Case advised EIB and EIF.