With numerous reports of energy-related business shutdowns, we reached out to local experts across CEE to understand what different markets have been dealing with, in terms of work and production stoppages, and look into the broader impact.

Sipping on some Tamjanika wine, overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers on one side, and the Belgrade Waterfront on the other, I was once again amazed at how much the City of Belgrade has changed over the years.

Cerha Hempel Hungary and the SOG Law Firm have been appointed as members of an international legal consortium to screen potential companies and advise on investments by the Emirate of Dubai’s “Operation 300 Billion” program. The consortium also reportedly includes the Boros Arpad Andras law firm in Budapest.

Fashion house Christian Dior Couture (“Dior“) filed in 2021 to the EU Intellectual Property Office (“EUIPO“) an application for registration of 3D shape of bag of this designer house – so-called Saddle bag as trademark within class 9 (mainly referring to eyeglass and phone cases) and class 18 (various handbags). EUIPO partly refused the application stating that the form of the bag lacked distinctiveness and that this bag is practically one of many in the world market.

NSTLaw Stankovic and Partners has been appointed as the official representative for NYSE-listed technology company PAR in Serbia in accordance with the country's law on personal data protection.

NKO Partners has advised CTP on its acquisition of Vojvodina-based land developer BIMS Properties.

The energy crisis and rising costs are not the primary driver but have certainly accelerated discussions on energy sustainability. Responsible companies and real estate developers are already implementing construction strategies that enable energy sustainability and qualify for certificates such are LEED and BREEM. As the market is turning greener, real estate developers are motivated to do so: it increases the demand, secures financing, and provides an overall better company image.

Former Senior Associate Bojana Javoric Micovic has been promoted to Partner at Jankovic Popovic Mitic.

Amendments to the Tax Procedures and Tax Administration Act (“Act“) were adopted and entered into force on December 20, 2022. The following is a reminder of the most significant changes you should keep an eye on.

Zavisin, Semiz & Partneri and Dentons have advised a banking consortium on their EUR 155 million financing for the 103.3-megawatt Krivaca wind farm project co-owned by Serbia’s MK Group and Slovenia’s ALFI Green Energy Fund. Karanovic & Partners advised the Axpo Group on its market-terms long-term PPA with the Krivaca project company.

The Republic of Serbia continues to encourage creativity in the field of audiovisual production through incentives’ allocation to individuals even so in 2023.

Our current publication is in detail Serbian Legal Framework for alcoholic beverages. It thoroughly analyses governmental approvals required to market alcoholic beverages, advertising restrictions, licensing and distribution requirements and restrictions, permissible product ingredients, and practical compliance issues.

NKO Partners has advised a group of Saga’s minority shareholders on Noventiq's buyout of their equity. Jankovic Popovic Mitic advised the buyer.

Zivko Mijatovic and Partners has successfully represented the Champagne Wine Interprofessional Committee in its request for general customs supervision based on indications of geographical origin for Champagne wine across Balkan markets.

The very idea of introducing a new financial instrument issued by a limited liability company (“LLC” or “Company”) is to improve the economic environment as well as financial growth by providing a way for companies to incentivize employees, especially the ones in IT industry, thus enabling companies to operate in accordance with high standards adopted worldwide.

On the 19th of January, there has been yet another competition infringement investigation (ex officio) by the Serbian Commission for the Protection of the Competition, this time against VAILLANT doo Beograd (Vaillant) regarding the market of gas boilers!

Senior Dispute Resolution Expert at CMS Belgrade and CMS Podgorica Nenad Kovacevic has been promoted to Partner. 

One of the long-debated domestic themes is non-existence of retail NPL market in Serbia. Following the 2008 World Economic Crisis in Serbia, the country managed to regulate corporate NPL market, and to decrease NPL level from 20% to 3,19 %.