Recent developments in the Ukrainian energy sector open up new opportunities for strategic international investors. First is “green” auctions – starting 2020, new projects in power generation for renewable sources will develop under the price formed through an open auction system. The new law on auctions adopted in 2019 will allow investors to make long-term plans in the sector and attract project financing. Second is the launch of the open electricity market on July 1, 2019.

Redcliffe Partners and Linklaters have advised the EBRD on a USD 56 million term-secured loan, including a USD 8 million tranche funded by the Clean Technology Fund, made to four Ukrainian members of the Kernel Group, the producer and exporter of sunflower oil in Ukraine and a supplier of agricultural products from the Black Sea region to world markets. Allen & Overy and Lenz & Staehlin reportedly advised the Kernel Group on the deal.

Aequo has advised Raiffeisen Bank International AG on its extension of a five-year loan of approximately EUR 4 million to Ukrainian DIY retailer EpiCentr Group.

Evris Ukraine Partner Sergeii Papernyk, who was Head of the firm's Banking & Finance and Tech practices, has left the firm.

Vasil Kisil & Partners' Partner Oleg Makarov has resigned his position with Vasil Kisil & Partners after being elected a Ukrainian MP and sworn in as a member of the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament).

It has been over a year since the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation became mandatory across Europe, marking a seismic shift in the way that companies collect, process, and handle personal data. Countries across the European Union and beyond have adapted their national laws to meet the requirements of the GDPR – with many introducing local derogations as permitted by the GDPR.

Aequo has successfully defended the interests of ProCredit Bank in the Supreme Court of Ukraine in a dispute over loan commitments.

Sponsors of the 2020 Dealer’s Choice Law Firm Summit, which will be held on April 23, 2020 in conjunction with the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet, explain their involvement.

This time, our law firm marketing friends across CEE considered the following question: “What one part of your job would you most appreciate having more help with – not in terms of training or capability, but simply in terms of time?”

Dubinsky & Osharova has successfully represented McDonald’s interests before the Supreme Court of Ukraine in a dispute over the company's “Mc” trademark.

Evris has advised Vetropack, a European manufacturer of glass packaging for the food and beverages industry, on matters related to an intellectual property dispute in Ukraine.

Avellum has advised A-Development on the sale of Smart Plaza Obolon, a newly constructed shopping and entertainment center in Kyiv, to URE Holding Limited.

On July 25, 2019, CEE Legal Matters reported that Competera, a Ukrainian pricing platform for e-commerce and omni-channel retailers, had established its headquarters in the United States. We reached out to Competera's Senior Legal Counsel Denis Boshko for details.

Asters has advised Dobrobut, a Ukrainian network of private medical centers, on its acquisition of Kyiv's Boris medical center from unidentified sellers.

Dentons has helped US-based multinational investment bank BCP Securities launch its commercial activity in Ukraine, where it will focus primarily on creating debt capital markets deals.

DLA Piper has advised Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and the Energy Efficiency Fund on the EEF's agreement with the International Finance Corporation to provide funding to homeowners associations for the implementation of energy efficient measures in multi-family buildings. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised the IFC on the deal.

Avellum has provided Ukrainian counsel to Polish IT company Cornerstone Partners, the co-owner of IT Kontrakt, on its acquisition of CoreValue, a US-headquartered IT service provider with Ukrainian roots. Weil, Gotshal & Manges was lead counsel to Cornerstone Partners.

Asters has successfully defended the interests of international healthcare and agriculture company Bayer Ukraine before the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine.