In The Spotlight
Following the March 2025 amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, which elevated the use of cash as a constitutionally protected right, significant legislative changes entered into force on 1 July 2025. These amendments aim to bring existing legal provisions in line with the constitutional recognition of the freedom to pay with cash, thereby guaranteeing that consumers can continue to choose their preferred method of payment, including cash, when purchasing goods or using services.
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Kinstellar has advised Halyk Bank on a USD 237 million partnership with Click. Dentons reportedly advised Click.
Ellex has advised Vok Bikes on its USD 6 million series A funding round led by SQM Lithium Ventures. Sorainen, working with DLA Piper, reportedly advised SQM.
Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised Spire Capital Partners on the sale of its controlling stake in Thulium to SALESmanago. Squire Patton Boggs reportedly advised SALESmango.
Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Petsiavas on its acquisition of the oral and dental care business of ABC Kinitron.
Ellex has advised Norway-based Orkla Eiendom and Latvia-based Orkla Latvija on Orkla Eiendom 's acquisition of Latvian real estate companies Artilerijas 55 and Miera 22 from Orkla Latvija.
Glatzova & Co, working with Monereo Meyer Abogados, has advised Rouvy on its acquisition of Spanish company Bkool.
Dentons has advised the founders of Adastra Group on the sale of a majority stake in the company to global investment firm Carlyle. Clifford Chance, working with Latham & Watkins and Ropes & Gray, advised Carlyle.
Sayenko Kharenko has advised Deutsche Bank on a EUR 23.6 million term loan facility extended to Northern Iron Ore Enrichment Works.
Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, working with Clifford Chance, has advised the Republic of Bulgaria on its dual-tranche EUR 3.2 billion sovereign bond issuance under its EUR 27 billion global medium-term note program. Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, working with Linklaters, reportedly advised joint lead managers Citigroup, ING Bank, J.P. Morgan, and UniCredit.
Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov has advised on the EUR 2 million seed investment round into Blue Longevity Holdings led by Eleven Ventures and supported by Sofia Angels Ventures as well as several private investors.
Lexist, working with Twenty Essex Chambers and Sovereign Arbitration Advisors, has successfully represented the Republic of Turkiye in an ICSID case brought by Enel over the cancellation of its pre-license for a solar power plant project in the Isparta province by Turkiye’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority.
Schoenherr has advised HPI GMA, operating under the Trasti brand, on a EUR 21 million equity investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Zavarovalnica Triglav. Dentons advised EBRD and Triglav. DLA Piper reportedly also advised Triglav.
Former Lambadarios Partner Sotiris Dempegiotis has joined Calavros Law Firm as Partner and Deputy Head of the International Arbitration Department.
Alexios Andriopoulos has joined Welcome Pickups as the company's new Head of Legal & Compliance.
Octavian Ionascu has joined DLA Piper's Romania office as a Tax Director.
Luiza Alexandra Ionescu has joined Stratulat Albulescu as Special Counsel and the firm's new Head of the Energy Department. Ionescu joins alongside Industry Expert Andreea Paraschiv.
Jalsovszky has launched a dedicated “second opinion” service, offering clients, including individuals, companies, and even fellow lawyers, an independent external perspective in legal disputes.
Budapest-based Dentons Partner Rob Irving has been reappointed as the Co-Head of Corporate and M&A, while Warsaw-based Partner Agnieszka Stefanowicz-Baranska has been appointed the Co-Head of the Competition and Antitrust practice.
Alexandra Ivancia has become CTP Romania's new Head of Legal.
Radovan Hrisny has joined Havel & Partners as Security Director.
Diana Tavera and Marcin Beben have become Equity Partners at Kochanski & Partners.
Turkish lawyer Meltem Azbazdar has been appointed as Diageo's General Counsel Europe based in London.
Kolcuoglu Demirkan Kocakli has promoted Neyzar Unubol and Begum Bicer Ilikay to Partner.
Former Deloitte Legal Senior Managing Associate Ened Topi has joined Lalaj & Partners as a Partner.
Following the March 2025 amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, which elevated the use of cash as a constitutionally protected right, significant legislative changes entered into force on 1 July 2025. These amendments aim to bring existing legal provisions in line with the constitutional recognition of the freedom to pay with cash, thereby guaranteeing that consumers can continue to choose their preferred method of payment, including cash, when purchasing goods or using services.
At the meeting of the Social-Economic Council of the Republic of Serbia, a decision was made on an extraordinary increase in the minimum wage in Serbia, which enters into force on 1 October 2025.
Amid the shifting geopolitical landscape in Europe—marked by heightened pressure on defense capabilities and the imperative to enhance strategic resilience—Romania occupies a pivotal position in the region’s security architecture.
It’s mid-July, the summer is in full swing, and most of us are either on annual leave or eagerly counting down the days until we can finally unplug and recharge. That’s why I decided to dedicate this light, summer-friendly topic, perfect for reading in the shade at +35°C, to reminding us that the right to paid annual leave is not only one of the fundamental human rights, but also a necessary response to the lifestyle we lead.
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, regulatory expectations are becoming increasingly complex. While transitional periods may offer a degree of flexibility, the pace of regulatory change demands continuous attention from market players and dedicated resources to maintain compliance and achieve long-term operational resilience.
The fight against software piracy has entered its second phase, marking a significant shift from the earlier era of physical piracy to the current challenges of combating digital piracy.
In light of a judgment rendered in proceedings for the annulment of an unlawful decision terminating an employment contract upon expiry of the probationary period, a question has arisen which, from the standpoint of legal theory and the fundamental principles of labor law, arguably should not be a matter of dispute: should a termination decision issued upon the expiry of the probationary period include a statement of reasons?
On 03.07.2025, the Albanian Parliament approved Law No. 56/2025, adding a new provision to Law No. 7764, dated 02.11.1993, “On Foreign Investments”, as amended. This law was published in the Official Gazette on 11.07.2025.
On 27 June 2025, the Assembly of North Macedonia adopted a new Electronic Communications Act (ECA). This landmark legislation represents a comprehensive overhaul of the country's digital regulatory framework, aligning it with the European Electronic Communications Code (Directive 2018/1972) (the "Directive") and the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (Regulation 2024/1309) (the "Regulation").
By Resolution No. 847 of 14 July 2025, the Government amended the Criteria and Procedure for designating enterprises, institutions, and organizations as critically important for the functioning of the economy and the maintenance of vital public life during extraordinary periods (the "Criteria").
Starting 1 July 2025, Hungary will implement a new procedure aimed at clarifying employment relationships and addressing cases where employers fraudulently evade taxes and social security contributions. The initiative is designed to protect employees while also reducing the administrative burden on employers.
In a significant move towards economic recovery and strategic growth, Ukraine and its international partners have launched several finance initiatives aimed at mobilizing capital and transforming critical sectors. These efforts, including the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund and other programs announced in 2025, showcase a commitment to rebuilding Ukraine through blended finance models. This article explores these developments and their implications for Ukraine’s future.
The international sales process for the renowned Vienna Marriott Hotel at Parkring Vienna has been successfully completed with its acquisition by an international consortium of investors.
AIR ARABIA WAS FOUND COMPLIANT DURING A RECENT PROCEDURE OF PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA ACROSS THE EU
bpv Huegel successfully advised RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Aktiengesellschaft (RWA) on the sale of its share in AUSTRIA JUICE GmbH to AGRANA Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft.
RWA eGen completes the purchase of shares in RWA AG from BayWa AG. The acquisition financing was structured and provided by Raiffeisen Bank International AG.
bpv Huegel is delighted to appoint Johannes Mitterecker as a partner. He works in the Corporate Law/M&A practice group and specialises in M&A transactions, restructuring and sports law.
RTPR has assisted the syndicate of banks in connection with a RON 3.1 billion syndicated loan granted to Electrica.
From the 1st May, 2025 Markian Malskyy becomes the new managing partner of ARZINGER, replacing Timur Bondaryev, founding partner. Timur Bondaryev has held this position almost ever since the firm was founded 23 years ago and, together with other partners, has built a strong legal brand.
This makes bpv Huegel’s tax practice top-ranked in Chambers Europe. This confirms the leading position of bpv Huegel in tax law advice.
bpv Huegel advises EAVISTA on the acquisition of the majority stake in card complete Service Bank AG
EAVISTA is acquiring 75.1% of the shares in card complete Service Bank AG from UniCredit Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International.
We are delighted to announce that PRK Partners has been shortlisted with other three international law firms operating on the Czech legal market as finalists for the Czech Republic Law Firm of the Year 2025 in the 26th annual IFLR Europe Awards.
The Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (PMU) imposed a fine of EUR 675,200 on United Classifieds s.r.o. for a serious breach of competition rules, namely for abuse of a dominant position on the online real estate advertising market.
RTPR announces the promotion of Bogdan Cordos to Partner. He joins the team of 8 partners consisting of Costin Taracila, Victor Padurari, Alexandru Retevoescu, Mihai Ristici, Valentin Berea, Roxana Ionescu, Alina Stavaru and Cosmin Tilea.
Sweeping tax reform, corporate governance, and procurement regulation updates have been the main legislative developments in Lithuania this year, according to Widen Partner Aiste Mikociuniene. While some of the changes bring modernization and new incentives, Mikociuniene warns that increased burdens and uncertainties could weigh heavily on businesses and legal professionals alike.
Peterka Partners is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the firm recently marked a new chapter with the opening of a new office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, followed by the launch of a second office in Poland in Rzeszow. Founder and Managing Partner Ondrej Peterka and Head of the Slovenian office Pia Florjancic Pozeg Vancas talk about the strategic importance of opening a branch in Slovenia and what lies ahead.
Below is an excerpt from the Legal Automation Book: From Bottlenecks to Bots.
On November 23, CEE Legal Matters reported that Cobalt had advised BaltCap Latvia Venture Capital Fund and funds managed by Imprimatur Capital, together with other shareholders, on the sale of Blue Bridge Technologies to Everfield. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Henning Schreiber, Head of Acquisitions at Everfield, to learn more about the acquisition.