The Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”), in its recent decision with regard to the two joint cases (C‑807/18 and C‑39/19) brought before it for preliminary ruling, addressed how incompatibility with net neutrality shall be assessed under the relevant legislation regarding open internet access. In order to analyse this decision, we will first explain what net neutrality is and briefly discuss its possible links with the competition law. We will then move on to the relevant legislation surrounding the net neutrality. Lastly, we will discuss the aforementioned preliminary ruling of the CJEU and conclude.

Erdem & Erdem has advised the Sisecam Group on its acquisition of five Turkish companies: Anadolu Cam, Denizli Cam, Pasabahce, Soda Sanayii, and Trakya Cam.

ICTA’s Procedures and Principles on Social Network Provider (“Procedures”) were published on the Official Gazette on October 2, 2020. The Procedures provide the detailed framework for the obligations of “social network providers”, a new concept that was introduced at the end of July by the Amendment Law on the Law No. 5651 on Regulation of Broadcasts via Internet and Prevention of Crimes Committed Through Such Broadcasts (“Amendment Law”).

White & Case is mourning the loss of Turkish Managing Partner Asli Basgoz, who has recently passed away.

Former KocSistem Senior Legal Counsel Gamze Bedirkurum has joined Ericsson as Group Legal Counsel in Turkey.

The SEE Legal law firm alliance has announced the formal launch of two new practice groups, one dedicated to Employment and Immigration, headed by Kolcuoglu Demirkan Kocakli Counsel Maral Minasyan, and one dedicated to Intellectual Property, headed by Selih & Partnerji Partner Natasa Pipan Nahtigal.

Founding Partner Haluk Bilgic reports that BilgicLegal’s busiest team was the one focused on restructuring transactions and debt financing in the first half of 2020. “That includes not just project and transaction financing but also shipping finance transactions,” Bilgic explains, while noting that the primary focus has been on restructuring existing deals, “since it’s not the best time to initiate new transactions.”

On August 5, 2020, CEE Legal Matters reported that the Aksan Law Firm had advised Albaraka Asset Management on its investment in Clotie, an e-commerce company that provides personalized clothing services. CEEIHM talked to Albaraka Asset Management General Manager Emin Ozer to learn more about the deal.

Master Destek has brought on Fatma Ozen Karaca as its Chief Legal Counsel in Istanbul.

“We should talk about politics and economy together, because they go hand in hand,” says Zeynep Cakmak, Managing Partner of the Cakmak law firm in Istanbul. “Despite the trend of having snap elections in recent years, Turkey has been stable for a while. However, that might change soon, since rumors have surfaced that we will have elections in the fall.”

Sofia-based Georgi Kanev has been appointed to lead Peterka & Partners’ newly-established Turkish desk.

Ahmet Bagci has joined GKC Partners in Istanbul.

Bezen & Partners has advised MB UAE Investment LLC on it buy-out of minority shareholders in the company's Turkish subsidiaries.

For our Checking In feature, we reach out to partners and heads of practice across CEE to learn how specific practice areas are faring in their jurisdictions. This time around we asked firm Energy experts: What, in your view, is the most effective scheme currently in place in your jurisdiction to attract investments in renewable energy? If you had to pick one, what additional step from the regulators do you believe would have the most positive impact?

Cakmak has advised Voodoo on an unspecified investment in Fabrika Games. Paksoy advised Fabrika Games on the deal.

BTS & Partners has advised the founders of Entekno Global and Diffusion Capital Partners on Croda International Plc.'s recent GBP 1.5 million acquisition of a minority stake in the company. The KS Attorney Partnership, the local legal arm of EY Turkey, advised Croda on the deal.

Former Clifford Chance Counsel Kemal Aksel has joined the Cakmak law firm in Istanbul as Partner.

As Europe begins a tentative re-opening following several difficult months of quarantining, social distancing, and working-from-home, we spoke to CMS’s Warsaw-based Employment Partner Katarzyna Dulewicz and Vienna-based Dispute Resolution Partner Daniela Karollus-Bruner for their perspective on the process.