Contributed by Majernik & Mihalikova.

With political instability leading to a legislative stall in Slovakia, a spark of hope flickers through the freshly approved National Research Development and Innovation Strategy, according to Majernik & Mihalikova Partner Katarina Mihalikova.

Schoenherr, working with Luther and Hogan Lovells, has advised the Cargo-Partner Group Holding on its EUR 1.4 billion sale of Cargo-Partner GmbH and 60 other subsidiaries to Nippon Express Holdings. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised the buyer.

Clifford Chance has advised LCN Capital Partners on the sale-and-leaseback acquisition of a portfolio of 11 car showrooms located in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and the related financing from UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Seven Kinstellar lawyers have been promoted to Partner: Bratislava-based Tomas Melisek, Budapest-based Levente Hegedus, Istanbul-based Bulut Girgin, and Kyiv-based Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova, Natalia Kirichenko, Oleg Matiusha, and Illya Muchnyk.

Slovakia experienced a boom in renewables in 2010/11, then it became silent. New rules, a government decision, the EU recovery fund, and the increasing energy costs have led to a renaissance of renewable energy in Slovakia.

Schoenherr, working alongside Linklaters and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, has advised the Carrier Global Corporation on its acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions. Hengeler Mueller and, reportedly, Davis Polk & Wardwell advised Viessmann Climate Solutions.

An Overview of Important Legislative Changes in Slovakia

Norton Rose Fulbright and Havel & Partners have advised senior lender Santander Bank Polska on a refinancing facility for Exact Systems. Barrocas reportedly advised Santander Bank Polska on Portuguese legal matters. Rymarz Zdort Maruta reportedly advised Exact Systems. MHJ Legal reportedly advised mezzanine lender Accession Capital Partners.

The Slovak Republic was one of the last countries in the region to adopt the Foreign Direct Investment Screening Act, which introduces a comprehensive mechanism for screening foreign investments for the purpose of protecting security and public order based on Regulation (EU) 2019/452.

As Lexpo – The Legal Innovation Event returns in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, showcasing the latest trends in legal innovation in Continental Europe, CEELM spoke with Dentons Europe Director of Innovation and Member of Lexpo's Advisory Board Andrea Miskolczi to gain an insight into the current state of technology and innovation in CEE, and what the event's attendees have to look forward to.

Former Allen & Overy Counsel Katarina Matulnikova has been appointed as the new Managing Partner and Head of the Employment team at Wolf Theiss in Bratislava. She takes over from Jitka Logesova, who had held the position since 2019.

Noerr has advised Saint-Gobain on its acquisition of plasters, paints, and coatings producer Revco Hungary. CEE Attorneys advised the sellers.

When the Russian military launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) responded immediately by amending their legal framework to provide shelter for Ukrainian refugees. These neighboring nations not only provided immediate humanitarian help, but also changed their immigration law to allow Ukrainian refugees to work and live in their country.

On 1 March 2023, the Act on Screening of Foreign Investments entered into force. It introduces a comprehensive screening mechanism for foreign investments in the Slovak Republic.

Prague-based Attorneys Tomas Bures and Jan Varecha and Bratislava-based Attorney Eva Hromadkova have been appointed as Associate Partners at PRK Partners.

Amidst a wave of reorganizations and restructurings in the country, new businesses are looking to enter Slovakia – but have to face its new FDI screening mechanism. Despite the slight economic downturn, there is yet reason to hope for better days, according to DLA Piper Country Managing Partner Michaela Stessl, especially given the prospects of the automotive sector.

Former Aldertree Legal Partner Vladimir Ivanco has joined the White & Case Prague office as a Counsel and Head of the Slovak Desk on March 1, 2023.