CMS, in cooperation with GFA Consulting Group, has helped the EBRD prepare a tendering process for the Serbian City of Pirot for the selection of a private partner in a PPP project titled “Reconstruction and Maintenance of the Public Lighting System in the City of Pirot.”

The Republic of Serbia has officially closed its border crossings for passengers in road, rail, air and water traffic at 8.00 a.m. on 20 March 2020. The passing of humanitarian aid and crossings of national importance that are approved by the competent authority are still allowed. International passenger traffic to and from the Nikola Tesla Airport has been suspended in accordance with the Government of Serbia’s decision on 19 March 2020 from 12.00 p.m. onwards.

After declaration of the state of emergency to prevent further spread of corona virus, health care sector in Serbia saw a number of corresponding measures that naturally affected regular state of affairs.

The Regulation on deadlines in administrative proceedings has been amended today to exclude all deadlines in the tax and customs procedure save for deadlines for appeals.

Like many other states throughout the World, the Republic of Serbia (henceforth: the Republic) has proclaimed the state of emergency due to the epidemic of the infectious disease COVID-19 on the whole territory of the Republic (henceforth: the State of Emergency) by rendering the Decision on Proclamation of the State of Emergency.

Samardzic, Oreski & Grbobic has advised Serbian construction and infrastructure company Compact Industry on its EUR 8 million construction deal with Swiss lighting manufacturer Regent Lighting. JSP Legal reportedly advised by Regent Lighting on the deal.

When it comes to performance of contractual obligations, the basic postulate of the Serbian general contract rules is that such obligations must be duly executed – conscientiously, in the manner predicted by the contractual provisions, and timely – within a deadline stipulated by the contract.

Since the state of emergency was declared in Serbia on 15 March 2020, the status of foreign citizens has been uncertain. This is because the Directorate for Foreigners has been closed for serving parties at the counters (as well as all other public institutions except for Tax Administration, Customs Administration and Treasury Department). Due to the fact that the Directorate for Foreigners has not yet introduced the possibility of submitting requests and documentation electronically, foreign citizens residing in Serbia were basically unable to initiate proceedings in order to regulate their stay.

The National Bank of Serbia announced moratorium on all debts towards banks and finance lease providers as a measure to preserve stability of the financial system of Serbia. The measure is part of actions undertaken by Serbian authorities during the declared state of emergency to fight the coronavirus.

Covid 19 pandemic hit the global economy hard, businesses in the EU and Serbia are in a steep decline, a massive economic downturn is expected yet hard to fathom. 

The state of emergency due to COVID 19 pandemic was proclaimed in the Republic of Serbia on March 15th 2020, and the Decree on Measures during the State of Emergency („Official Gazette of RS“, no. 31/2020 dated March 16th 2020) and the Decree on Organization of Work with the Employer during the State of Emergency („Official Gazette of RS“, no. 31/2020 dated March 16th 2020), both aiming to regulate in more detail the effects of introduced state of emergency, followed right after. Decrees do not regulate the duration of the state of emergency, whereas the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia prescribes that the state of emergency may last up to 90 days, and it may be renewed under the same conditions upon the expiry of the 90 day deadline.

Pursuant to the Decree on Organizing the Work of the Employers during a State of Emergency (“Official Gazette of the RS” No. 31/2020), each employer is obliged to enable employees to perform work outside the premises of the employer (working remotely or working from home), at all workplaces where this type of work organization is possible. Equal obligation is foreseen also in the Serbian Labor Law (“RS Official Gazette”, No. 24/2005, 61/2005, 54/2009, 32/2013, 75/2014, 13/2017 – US Decision, 113/2017 and 95/2018 -aut. interpretation) as part of the employer’s obligation to provide employees with safety and health at work (Article 12. of the Labor Law) and in accordance with the Law on Health and Safety, (“Official Gazette of RS”, No. 101/2005, 91/2015 and 113/2017).

History has taught us that after all great tragedies, such as the one affecting the World currently, the age of revival arrives, as well as that during the extraordinary circumstances, no matter how serious they are, life finds its path. We at JPM are trying to spend our time working and making efforts so that our common work and goals does not suffer any or suffer minimal damage during the time that the restrictive measures imposed by all governments are in force.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in Serbia, which resulted in Government declared State of emergency, has strong impact on companies across all industries, creating a number of challenges that need to be addressed by the employers. Over the last few days, we’ve received many enquiries from our clients about business implications of the current situation. We present you below some of the most common ones, followed by answers that will help you in your response to the immediate key issues affecting your business.

The state of emergency due to the COVID 19 was declared in Serbia on 15 March 2020.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has introduced the first tax relief measures connected with the state of emergency due to COVID-19.

In the light of the pandemic of COVID – 19, controllers are processing different types of personal data in their reasonable effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Such processing must comply with the Serbian Law on Personal Data Protection (“LPDP”).

On 16 March 2020, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted a special Decree on the organization of work of employers during the state of emergency (the “Decree”) which prescribes special manner and organisation of work of all employers in Serbia during the state of emergency.