Despite limited summer market activity, optimism prevails in Romania, with Schoenherr Partner Narcisa Oprea citing a successful EUR 1.9 billion IPO and increased private sector interest amid quite a few likely regulatory improvements still to come.

On 7 June 2023, Bucharest Tribunal annulled, in the first instance, the zonal urban plan („ZUP”) of the 2^nd District and suspended its effects until the final resolution of the case file, noting that it reduced green spaces, allowing the construction on tens of hectares of such areas, including areas occupied by parks, lakes, sports fields, etc. The case file is currently in appeal before Bucharest Court of Appeal[1].

Can one or more of a company's shareholders claim that a transfer of shares to third parties by other shareholders is null, even if the claimants were not interested in acquiring those shares? And when faced with such a claim, would Romanian courts rule in favour of the claimant? A recent court ruling has answered both questions with a resounding "yes", opening new horizons in M&A-related matters in Romania.

Stratulat Albulescu, working with Taylor Wessing, has advised the Mitel Group on its acquisition of Unify from the Atos Group. Garrigues and Mattos Filho reportedly advised Mitel as well. The French office of Baker McKenzie reportedly advised Atos.

It may come as no surprise to interested parties (such as textile and footwear producers, environmental specialists and activists) that the European Commission has proposed a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive to address the issue of textile waste (the “Proposal”).

Noerr has advised Romanian corrugated cardboard and tissue paper company Vrancart on the National Recovery and Resilience Plan financing for its construction of a 20-megawatt photovoltaic park.

Romanian lawyer Andreea-Paula Armanu-Costache has joined the European Investment Fund as a Legal Counsel in Luxembourg.

Recently, there has been a strong trend in several EU Member States to correct economy imbalances through price and tariff capping measures. This is also the case in Romania, where certain industries or market segments are subject to capping and control measures. (e.g., MTPL insurance, certain segments of the energy market, staple foods, etc.).

Musat & Asociatii has advised Naxxar Renewable Energy on the sale of a 60% stake in the 685.6-megawatt Naxxar Wind Farm Four in Tulcea County to Polenergia, with an option for the remaining 40%.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, working alongside Armstrong Teasdale, has advised Insight Enterprises on its acquisition of Amdaris.

Stratulat Albulescu, working with San Francisco-based Fathom Law, has advised 3VC on leading the USD 10 million series A financing round for Romania's Creatopy together with Point Nine. BPV Grigorescu Stefanica, working with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, advised Creatopy and its founders.

Contributed by Filip & Company

Contributed by Popescu & Asociatii.

On March 3, CEE Legal Matters reported that BPV Grigorescu Stefanica has advised Omnia Capital on its acquisition of Dumagas from Bancroft. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Matei Ladea, Chief Evangelist at Omnia, to learn more about the acquisition.

Contributed by MPR Partners.

On November 16, CEE Legal Matters reported that Popescu & Asociatii had successfully represented the interests of the City of Sinaia in a construction dispute. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Vlad Oprea, the Mayor of Sinaia, to learn more about the matter.

On November 10, four Banking & Finance experts from Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss banking consolidation, financing availability, the effects of high interest rates, bank capitalization, green financing, the specter of loan restructuring, and the other challenges the sector is facing.

Contributed by Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen.