Many employers currently find themselves in a precarious position, faced with deciding how to deal with the obstacles to work arising from the coronavirus crisis, irrespective of whether these obstacles are the result of government measures (total or partial restrictions on operations) or due to real operational reasons (difficulties in the supply of materials for production, drop in sales). The Labour Code does not take into account obstacles to work caused by the pandemic, and employers are thus faced with issues in the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Labour Code. In the text below we will attempt to clarify the issue of obstacles on the part of the employer, at least in part.

(Doctors love their children too)

On 18 March the Hungarian prime minister announced extraordinary measures to be taken as a result of the national emergency caused by COVID-19. Most of these measures have a strong impact on the Hungarian economy; in particular, the banking sector.

A new Act No. 39/2020 Coll., on Real Estate Brokerage, came into effect in the Czech Republic on 3 March 2020. The Act tightens the requirements on real estate brokers (including real estate agencies) and implements new elements of protection for those using real estate brokerage services.

Binder Groesswang has advised Austrian risk and insurance manager GrECo and its majority owners, the Neubrand family, on the buy-back of GrECo shares from former British partner JLT. Schoenherr advised the sellers on the deal.

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Schoenherr Strengthens Real Estate Team in Warsaw

Former Linklaters Managing Associate Marta Bijak-Haiduk has joined Schoenherr in Warsaw, where she will take over management of the firm's Real Estate practice.

D’Ornano Partners Advises Groupama Group on Acquisition of Express Life Bulgaria

D’Ornano Partners has advised the Groupama Group on its acquisition of Express Life Bulgaria IJSC, a member of the OTP Group. Schoenherr advised the OTP Group on the deal.

Worried about COVID-19? During the outbreak, it is challenging for patients to seek in-person medical care. Self-quarantine is an important tool in managing disease transmission, especially among patients who are vulnerable to the risk of infection. This is where telemedicine becomes essential to ensure that patients have access to medical care and to boost community support. In times of a global public health emergency like the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare systems should lean on remote medical check-ups, e-prescriptions and postal delivery of medicines in situations of quarantine and to tackle the further spread of the disease. Healthcare systems should expand beyond traditional healthcare tools and leverage existing telehealth tools to direct people to the proper level of healthcare for their medical needs (both to address their medical condition and to screen for COVID-19). Moreover, state administrations should make a historic effort to at least temporarily lift restrictions on telehealth usage (where such exist) to assist in the efforts to reduce patients' exposure to the virus and to ensure public health and safety.

Schoenherr and Hochedlinger Luschin Marenzi Kapsch Advise on Neuraxpharm's Acquisition of Easypharm

Schoenherr has advised Neuraxpharm, a portfolio company of Apax Partners, on the acquisition of Austrian consumer healthcare company Easypharm OTC GmbH. Hochedlinger Luschin Marenzi Kapsch advised the unidentified sellers on the deal, which closed on January 20, 2020.

Kinstellar Advises EBRD on First Financing in Bulgaria Under ESIF/EBRD Water Sector Financing Framework

Schoenherr has advised Austria's HS Timber Group and Blue Minds IF on their February 28, 2020 acquisition of Interfloat Corporation and GMB Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg GmbH. Closing, which remains contingent on regulatory approval, is expected in the first half of 2020.

After much rescheduling and protraction, the long-awaited new Trademark Act was finally adopted on 24 January 2020 and came into force a week later. The new law introduces a number of fundamental changes, eliminating certain shortcomings of the previous law, allowing for more efficient protection and further harmonisation of Serbia's legislation with EU law.

Hungarian hospitals are facing problems paying for drugs and medical devices. Many suppliers have claims worth millions of euros and are having difficulty enforcing them against either the hospitals or the Hungarian government.

Schoenherr Advises Fintur on Sale of Moldcell to CG Cell Technologies

Schoenherr has advised Fintur Holdings B.V. on its USD 31.5 million sale of its 100% holding of Moldcell S.A., to CG Cell Technologies DAC. Gladei & Partners advised CG Technologies.

On January 1, 2016, Poland revamped its legal framework related to the restructuring of financially distressed businesses with a brand-new Restructuring Law and significantly-amended Bankruptcy Law. The Polish restructuring (and broadly speaking insolvency) framework is now governed by two separate legal acts: the Restructuring Law, which deals with the financial restructuring of indebted companies and businesses, and the Bankruptcy Law, which focuses on the orderly liquidation of the assets of companies and businesses without feasible options to restructure their debts and continue their operations.

Schoenherr has advised Kommunalkredit Austria AG, the arranger and original lender, on Czech and Slovak acquisition financing provided to Enery Development for the acquisition of six 21 MW solar power plants in the Czech Republic and two 4 MW solar power plants in the Slovak Republic from Czech fund Green Horizon Renewables. CMS reportedly advised Enery and Badokh reportedly advised Green Horizon Renewables.

CEE is a highly-fragmented market. What sounds like a dull geographical statement actually highlights the main challenge of being a lawyer working in a regional CEE law firm.

The four-eyes principle is an effective way for companies to control management dealings. It is based on the idea that the company must be represented by two people acting jointly, usually two members of the statutory body.