In recent years, we have been seeing that real estate developers are starting to turn to debt capital markets to raise capital for their real estate development projects in Slovenia. When issuing bonds for real estate development projects, investors usually expect to have security on the real estate property that is being developed. Similar to other finance transactions, collateral can take various forms. This article examines the possibilities of establishing collateral on real estate property for bonds in Slovenia.

Schoenherr, working with Rutgers & Posch, has advised the shareholders of Resalta on the disposal of a controlling stake in Resalta BV Netherlands, including its Slovenian, Croatian, Serbian, Romanian, and Czech Republic subsidiaries, to Aggreko. A&O Shearman reportedly advised Aggreko.

The Slovenian justice system has been abuzz in recent months with talks of digitalization, according to Senica & Partners Partner Maja Subic, who also reports on the ongoing administrative strike in the country. Despite the latter and other grounds for initial concern, the year is shaping up well for the Slovenian market.

A surge in small and mid-sized M&A deals, the rising trend of collective legal actions, and some major infrastructure developments are at the top of lawyers' agendas in Slovenia, according to Jadek & Pensa Senior Partner Aleksandra Jemc Merc.

Selih & Partnerji, Polenak, Maric & Co, Kalo & Associates, and BDK Advokati have advised NLB Skladi on its acquisition of Generali Investments in North Macedonia. Papazoski and Mishev, an independent law firm in cooperation with PwC, advised Generali Investments.

Wolf Theiss has advised Addiko Bank on navigating the takeover bids submitted by Agri Europe Cyprus Limited and Nova Ljubljanska Banka. Cerha Hempel advised Agri Europe. Schoenherr advised NLB.

The Slovenian real estate market is characterized by an excess of demand over supply, especially in the residential real estate sector, which has pushed property prices sky-high. Low interest rates on financing in recent years have led to a number of easy-profit-seeking (half-professional) investors – usually project companies building so-called “above-standard” construction.

ODI Law has advised German Katera Beteiligungs-Verwaltungsgesellschaft P11 mbH on its acquisition of an 87,58% shareholding in Nama from Zavarovalnica Triglav and Generali. Senica & Partners advised Zavarovalnica Triglav on the deal.

On the evening of April 25, 2024, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms in the region in Warsaw.

Kinstellar has advised the Hungarian Power Exchange and the Hungarian transmission system operator on the Project Bluesky transaction which saw HUPX join the regional Adex power exchange. Lukman Odvetniska Druzba reportedly advised Adex's Slovenian shareholder, ELES. Isailovic & Partners reportedly advised EMS, the Serbian shareholder of Adex.

Contributed by Kavcic, Bracun & Partners.

On 22 February 2024, the government adopted a proposal for a new Act on Judicial Protection Procedure for Former Holders of Qualified Liabilities of Banks ("ZPSVIKOB-1 Proposal"),the purpose of which is to eliminate the identified unconstitutionality of the previous Act ("ZPSVIKOB") and to finally appropriately regulate the procedure under which former holders could claim compensation for the controversial decisions of the Bank of Slovenia on the cancellation of their qualified liabilities in 2013.

Jadek & Pensa Senior Partner and Head of the Transaction Unit Ozbej Merc talks about the evolution of the banking sector and their role as legal advisors in Slovenia over the last 10 years.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

Slovenia and Croatia adopted the Minimum Tax Act (MTA). The MTA implements Directive (EU) 2022/2523 to ensure a global minimum level of taxation for multinational enterprise groups and large-scale domestic groups in the EU. The latter is a consequence of the OECD’s global fight against tax base erosion within the scope of Pillar II.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As we bid farewell to 2023, this time around we turn our attention forward: What is your one main wish for 2024 and what do you see as the biggest potential risk?

On November 1, 2023, the amendment to the Slovenian Insolvency Act (ZFPPIPP-H) entered into force and introduced a series of significant changes that should not be overlooked.

Former ODI Law Partner and Head of Transactions Suzana Boncina Jamsek has launched BJK Law, a specialist boutique law firm in Ljubljana.