The past few months in Serbia have seen significant public attention focused on two media laws: the Law on Public Information and Media and the Law on Electronic Media. Various opinions have been expressed, with the government of the Republic of Serbia, specifically the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information, as the formal proposer of these contentious amendments, while independent journalist associations have taken the opposite stance. On October 26, 2023, the National Assembly passed and adopted these amendments. Less than a decade after significant changes, these two crucial media laws have come under scrutiny to align with international standards of freedom of expression.
NKO Advises Rock Flow Dynamics on Belgrade Development Center Acquisition
NKO Partners has advised Rock Flow Dynamics on its acquisition of a development center in Belgrade and entry into the Serbian market.
Free Trade Agreement Between the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China
The Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China officially signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 17 October 2023.
What’s the Cost of Unlawfulness – Part 2
In one of our previous texts (available here) we discussed misdemeanors, hence in order to analyze in more detail legislator’s penalty policy pertaining to legal entities we will here elaborate the economic offences which, along with criminal acts and misdemeanors, also fall into the penalty corpus of our legal system.
Petrovic Legal Advises SPS ME on Acquisition of Gulf International Pipe Industry
Petrovic Legal has advised SPS ME on its acquisition of Gulf International Pipe Industry from the Gulf Investment Corporation, the Arkan Group, Posco Holdings, the Oman Investment Corporation, and Capitoline Holding Limited.
What’s the Cost of Unlawfulness – Part 1
According to the definition contained in the Law on Misdemeanors (Official Gazette of RS no. 65/2013, 13/2016, 98/2016 – decision of CC, 91/2019, 91/2019 – other law and 112/2022 – decision of CC) (“the Law“), misdemeanor is an unlawful act established as misdemeanor by law or other regulation of a competent authority and which is subject to misdemeanor sanctions.
“Golden Parachutes”
A golden parachute is a compensation agreement guaranteeing significant financial benefits to a top executive who loses their job, namely chief executive officers and other high-ranking employees who depart because of a merger or acquisition. They are often applied through clauses in employee contracts, specific contracts, or acts of incorporation.
5G CAM: Revolutionizing Cross-Border Mobility
5G is the fifth-generation mobile network, which promises to lead to a revolution, particularly in transportation. This article focuses on connected and automated mobility (CAM), an offspring of 5G. CAM lets vehicles communicate with each other and with the surrounding infrastructure. Such communication can, in fact, enhance road safety, ease traffic jams, and cut CO2 emissions. With this in mind, countries worldwide are diligently working on developing 5G cross-border corridors.
Impact of the EU Directive on Ensuring a Global Minimum Level of Taxation for MNE Groups on Corporate Income Tax in Serbia and Montenegro
Starting from 1 January 2024, the Council Directive (EU) 2022/2523 of 14 December 2022 on ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational enterprise groups and large-scale domestic groups in the Union (hereinafter: Directive) will start to apply.
New Rules for the Connection of Power Plants to the System
The new Decree on Conditions for the Delivery and Supply of Electrical Energy in Serbia enters into force today, 13 October 2023. Long-awaited regulation sends the signal that the connection procedure for new projects that has been basically on hold for more than two and a half years will be deblocked soon.
Serbia Holds Its Breath for Elections and Construction Boom: A Buzz Interview with Ivana Ruzicic of PR Legal
With yet another election cycle impacting legislative activity in Serbia, few – but noteworthy – updates warrant attention, according to PR Legal Managing Partner Ivana Ruzicic. Notably, land conversion fees have been eliminated, potentially unlocking vast construction opportunities, while the excise tax framework is being modernized, with a centralized electronic system set to streamline processes.
New Rules for Connection to the Electric Energy Grid
The adoption of the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in 2021 created a very favorable environment for investments in green energy. Recognizing the opportunities and incentives, investors in a short period of time submitted a large number of requests to Elektromreža Srbije as a transmission system operator ("TSO") for the connection of future power plants using renewable energy sources. More precisely, requests for the connection of 22,000 MW have been submitted so far, while the total capacity of the power plants connected to the system is about 8,500 MW.
BDK Advokati and JPM & Partners Advise on Waberer’s Acquisition of MDI
BDK Advokati has advised Waberer’s International on its acquisition of a 55% stake in the MD International distribution company in Serbia, with an option for the remaining 45%. JPM & Partners advised MDI shareholder Dragoslav Micic. Marjanovic Law reportedly advised the other sellers.
Radovanovic Stojanovic & Partners Advises on Sale of Emily Pharm to Dr. Max
Radovanovic Stojanovic & Partners has advised the shareholders of Belgrade-based pharmacy chain Emily Pharm on the sale of all their shares to the Dr. Max Group.
BDK Advokati and MMD Advokati Advise on Sale of Amiga to Beam Global
BDK Advokati has advised the Amiga DOO shareholders on the full sale of the company to Beam Global. MMD Advokati advised Beam Global.
Igor Zivkovski Joins Schoenherr in Belgrade as Local Partner
Former Zivkovic Samardzic Partner Igor Zivkovski has joined Schoenherr’s Serbian affiliate Moravcevic, Vojnovic i Partneri as a Local Partner.
Non-Compete – Limitations and Practical Issues
Everyone is free to choose their work, time, or place of engagement and the profession they will commit to. The Serbian Constitution grants these basic human rights while also envisaging that all jobs are available to everyone under equal conditions. A similar principle is founded under the Law on Protection of Competition - that the protection of competition on the market of RS is regulated with the aim of economic progress and the well-being of society as a whole, especially to the consumer’s benefit. However, these are only the general principles that are subject to numerous constraints with the purpose of either protecting basic human rights, preventing unfair competition, or harboring the whole economic system with the consumers and companies as its vital participants.
Serbia: Amendments to the Serbian Act on Electronic Communications
Recently, the Serbian Parliament enacted amendments to the Act on Electronic Communications (Act). The Act was drafted through a collaborative effort of representatives from a broad range of organizations, including the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL), the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Media (REM), the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED), the Foreign Investors Council, the National Convention on the European Union, supplemented by expert opinions from the business sector.