Clifford Chance, Selih & Partnerji, and Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka have advised Ceska Sporitelna and Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka on the refinancing of Kofola. Onisko & Holesova, Planinic Soljic & Partners, and solo practitioner Klemen Ticar advised Kofola.

Dentons has advised the Dr. Max Group on its EUR 940 million loan for the refinancing of its bank debt and further growth. UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia and Komercni Banka led the 14-bank strong consortium. White & Case advised the banks.

In 2021 the Slovakian legal framework was set to be updated with a new FDI screening mechanism, echoing the wave of similar legislative updates throughout the European Union. However, after almost a full year, the proposed draft act has not yet come to pass. CEE Legal Matters spoke with Ruzicka and Partners Banking & Finance Partner Jan Hanko about the process, the draft itself, and its potential consequences on the Slovakian market.

Schoenherr has advised Ondrej Zita on his sale of OptimNet Solutions and OptimNet Solutions SK to the Hellmann Worldwide Logistics group. BDO Legal reportedly advised the buyer.

Clifford Chance has advised Atrium European Real Estate on its divestment of the Optima shopping center in Kosice to the joint venture of two Slovak shopping center investors for EUR 118 million. Taylor Wessing and Krnac Koncok & Partners reportedly advised the buyers.

Contributed by Dentons.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Savoric & Partners, and Filip & Company have advised Borealis on a binding offer for its nitrogen business from the Agrofert group. Wolf Theiss advised Agrofert. Oppenheim, Boyanov & Co, and PRK Partners reportedly advised Borealis as well.

Wolf Theiss, working alongside NautaDutilh and lead counsel WilmerHale, has advised Lookout on the acquisition of SaferPass.

The trend towards ESG issues has increased markedly on the Slovakian commercial real estate market. More and more Slovak companies are behaving responsibly and sustainably – under pressure from tenants, employees, contractors, customers, regulators, and investors who involve ESG in their decision-making.

Clifford Chance has advised UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia on the refinancing of the existing financial indebtedness of the Mattoni 1873 group. 

Taylor Wessing has represented Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova in a libel dispute with Member of Parliament Lubos Blaha.

The potential EU ban on Russian oil and gas, the Penta Investments split, and the new construction law in Slovakia are currently the major debate, the biggest transaction, and the greatest legal update, respectively, according to Taylor Wessing Partner Jan Lazur.

Clifford Chance has advised the Green Group on a EUR 127 million financing from a syndicate of banks. Filip & Company advised the lenders. Linklaters reportedly advised the lenders as well.

An in-depth look at Michal Simunic of Cechova & Partners covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

The planned legislation will introduce a screening of foreign direct investments to Slovakia from third countries. The aim of the screening mechanism should be the protection of Slovakia’s security and public order, whereas security and public order in the EU shall also be considered.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the Slovak Labor Code has changed several times. In 2021, five amendments were adopted, and new changes are expected in 2022. Although we observe progressive changes, the labor code remains quite rigid. Its provisions on remote work do not distinguish between blue-collar and white-collar jobs, which makes their implementation more demanding. Remote working, constant changes to COVID-19 pandemic rules, vaccination, health and safety, data protection, and employment termination rules – these have been the most pressing issues that have led employers to turn to their legal advisors.

The Slovakian legal market has, for quite some time, been a vibrant landscape of international law firms. Given the positioning of the central European country, and the proximity of major markets such as Austria, Poland, and Ukraine, Slovakia has been able to maintain the high number of international law firms, especially relative to other CEE jurisdictions. Taking a deeper dive into the reasons behind the persistence of such a high number of major international law firms, we reached out to legal professionals who work in Slovakia to get their insights.

Kinstellar has advised NN Group on the acquisition of a majority share in Finportal from Arca Investment and Rudolf Adam. Majernik & Mihalikova advised Rudolf Adam on the deal. Dentons advised Arca Investment and AG Legal advised Finportal.