Brandl Talos has advised DirectSens on the sale of its LactoSens biosensor technology to Kerry Group. Wolf Theiss reportedly advised Kerry Group.

CMS has advised Axpo Polska on the acquisition of a biogas plant producing green energy primarily from agricultural waste.

On 1 October 2024, the Hungarian Government published a decree on the basic regulations of settlement planning and construction requirements, which fundamentally rewrites and clarifies the frameworks for construction and property planning in many areas. Among these, one regulates the placement of solar panels and solar collectors, while another sets out the general framework for the installation of wind turbines.

The proposed Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Games of Chance brings several important changes, certain new legal solutions as a result of the needs of practice and market development, harmonization of the text of the law with technological development in this area, but also introduces new obligations to organizers and significantly increase in fees for obtaining approval and for organizing of games of chance.

Fort has advised Bondora on entering the Lithuanian consumer credit market.

CMS has advised Solar Park Trakia on the licensing of the 50-megawatt Sinotovo photovoltaic project by the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission as well as on its financing from Postbank.

Schoenherr has advised Pan-Pek on securing a EUR 20 million long-term loan from Privredna Banka Zagreb, part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Ellex has advised Capitec on its acquisition of AvaFin. Bowmans reportedly advised the buyers as well.

Former Eurobank Head of Legal Services Division Alexia Kefalogianni has joined Bernitsas Law as Counsel.

Allen & Overy Shearman & Sterling has advised the Republic of Poland on its issuance of EUR 3 billion in dual-tranche notes.

TGS Baltic has advised Pro Bro Group on its EUR 2 million bond issuance with Siauliu Bankas as the distributor.

The spring of 2024 marked a pivotal shift in the Macedonian financial market, with significant reforms on the horizon. As of March 2024, the related legislative framework has come under intense scrutiny, aiming to align more closely with European directives and capital market regulations. This effort has culminated in the adoption of the new Law on Financial Instruments (LFI) and the Law on Prospectus and Transparency Obligations of Securities Issuers (LPTOSI). The primary objective of these reforms is to enhance market efficiency and strengthen the stability of the financial system.

On October 10, 2024, the Serbian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Commission) launched an investigation against four large retail chains – Delhaize Serbia, Mercator-S, Univerexport, and DIS – over possible anti-competitive practices, i.e., alleged retail price-fixing and coordination. The four major retailers account for over 50% of the Serbian retail market.

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.

Schoenherr has promoted Vienna-based Stefanie Aichhorn-Woess, Alfred Amann, Johannes Frank, Ayla Ilicali, Christoph Jirak, Sara Khalil, Sebastian Lukic, Johannes Stalzer, and Stefanie Stegbauer, Zagreb-based Kresimira Kruslin, Warsaw-based Daniel Radwanski, and Bucharest-based Nora Olah to Partner (already announced in August this year).

The European Commission recently launched the consultation phase on two essential draft regulations to strengthen the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation’s operational structure. These include the draft Implementing Regulation for Authorized Declarants and creating a comprehensive CBAM registry. Stakeholders can submit feedback until November 28, 2024. These regulations clarify key aspects of the definitive CBAM implementation, set to begin on January 1, 2026.

The Croatian Lobbying Act (Official Gazette 36/2024, the “Act”) entered into force on 1 October 2024, marking Croatia’s first comprehensive regulation of lobbying activities. The Act establishes significant new rules for lobbyists and companies alike, requiring compliance when interacting with public officials to advocate for business or organisational interests. This regulatory development represents a transformative shift in how entities engage with policymakers and will necessitate careful attention to adherence with these newly established standards.

The new Waste Management Law of Montenegro (“the Law”), which came into force on April 12, 2024, represents a step further towards harmonizing Montenegrin legislation with the acquis communautaire, namely key European Union (“EU”) directives in the area of waste management.

CMS has advised Scope Fluidics on an agreement with Bio-Rad Laboratories under which it received USD 30 million in settlement of conditional payments related to the sale of the Curiosity Diagnostics SPV.

TGS Baltic has advised one of the founders and sole board member of Altero Group Arturs Kostins on his exit and management handover to OM Teenused. Ellex reportedly advised OM Teenused.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised Mutares on the acquisition of Natura from Pelion. CMS advised Pelion on the deal.

A new draft regulation was put to public consultation until 27 September 2024 that could bring significant changes to the operation of district heating systems in Hungary. The aim of the regulation is to increase the use of renewable energy sources such as geothermal and biomass in district heating, thus reducing dependence on natural gas and costs.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised EWE on the sale of EWE Polska and its group companies EWE Przesyl and EWE Energia to Eesti Gaas for a total value of EUR 120 million. CMS and Ellex advised Eesti Gaas.

Serbia’s renewable energy market is in the midst of transformation, driven by domestic reforms and international partnerships – most recently, with the governments of France and the USA in the field of energy efficiency.

On April 22, 2024, Everlegal announced it had been appointed to provide legal support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – the UN Refugee Agency – for its activities in Ukraine.

Noor and the Lithuanian Red Cross Society have executed a memorandum of cooperation based upon which Noor will provide continuous legal advisory and assistance to the Red Cross on various legal matters.

Everlegal has partnered up with the Norwegian Refugee Council in Ukraine and will be offering the NRC legal support on a number of day-to-day legal issues.

In the past few years, North Macedonia has made significant strides in developing its infrastructure. Attracting foreign investors is the main strategy to finance, construct, develop, and manage essential infrastructure projects. The government also engages in PPPs, recognizing their potential to leverage private sector expertise and capital in public service delivery.

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.

White & Case and its Turkish affiliate GKC Partners have advised Ronesans Holding's subsidiary Renell Kokshetau on the financing of a EUR 456 million public-private partnership healthcare project for the construction and operation of a hospital in Kazakhstan. Clifford Chance reportedly advised the financing institutions.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised the bankruptcy trustee of Getin Noble Bank on the sale of Noble Securities to Skarbiec Holding.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised the bankruptcy trustee of Getin Noble Bank and Idea Bank on the sale of a total holding of approximately 86.83% of the shares in Noble Funds TFI fund management company to VeloBank.

A creditor has forgiven part of a debtor's debt on the condition that the debtor will make every effort to avoid insolvency and repay at least the remaining, unforgiven part. However, the creditor also set a resolutive condition: if the debtor were to become insolvent (i.e. the court declared it bankrupt), the debt forgiveness agreement was to be void from the outset and the debtor would be obliged to repay the debt in full.

CMS Partners Daniela Kroemer, Dragana Bajic, Tomasz Sancewicz, and Katalin Horvath discuss the growing role of AI in HR across CEE and delve into its current applications, regulatory challenges, and the broader impact on workplace dynamics.

North Macedonia, strategically located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, south-eastern Europe, is a landlocked country with a unique advantage. Its position between two main European corridors, coupled with political and democratic stability and a favorable tax and regulatory framework, makes North Macedonia a promising destination for potential foreign investors. The country offers abundant possibilities, especially in greenfield investments, renewable energy, software, IT services, logistics, construction, cannabis production, agriculture, food services, tourism, etc.

According to the latest data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, nearly 100,000 foreign nationals were employed in Hungary as of July 2024, with almost 80% coming from third countries. After years of government-led anti-immigration messaging, many Hungarians have expressed fear and outrage at the sight of large groups of Indian, Filipino, and Vietnamese workers in smaller towns, perceiving them as competition for job opportunities.

CMS has advised Scope Fluidics on an agreement with Bio-Rad Laboratories under which it received USD 30 million in settlement of conditional payments related to the sale of the Curiosity Diagnostics SPV.

Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr has advised InPharm Co on its acquisition of Casa Spadijer Bioclinica.

TGS Baltic has advised InMedica Group on its acquisition of Druskininkai Pusynas Rehabilitation Clinic in Lithuania from Vytautas Dambrava.

CWB has successfully represented the interests of Renault and its Romanian subsidiary Dacia before the Serbian Supreme Court.

JPM Partners has successfully represented the Montenegrin Agency for Audiovisual Media Services in an administrative dispute initiated by the Serbia-based Pink Media Group.

Schoenherr has promoted Vienna-based Stefanie Aichhorn-Woess, Alfred Amann, Johannes Frank, Ayla Ilicali, Christoph Jirak, Sara Khalil, Sebastian Lukic, Johannes Stalzer, and Stefanie Stegbauer, Zagreb-based Kresimira Kruslin, Warsaw-based Daniel Radwanski, and Bucharest-based Nora Olah to Partner (already announced in August this year).

Stratulat Albulescu has advised Express Euroscan on the acquisition of Denis Spedition SRL and Denis Spedition GMBH.

Clifford Chance has advised Santander and Citi as the initial purchasers on the debut EUR 300 million green bond issuance of MLP Group.

Schoenherr has advised Trans-Oil Group on the acquisition of Frial Terminal located in the Port of Constanta, Romania.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos announced that the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund's sale of a 67% stake in the Heraklion Port Authority to a consortium consisting of Grimaldi Euromed and Minoan Lines (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on January 11, 2024) closed on September 18, 2024.

PeliPartners has advised Bogdan Idu and his group companies on the sale of an LPG maritime terminal in Romania to Nawaf Salameh Family Office Group.

Your Legal Partners’ Katerina Politopoulou, Maria Golfinopoulou, and Prokopis Linardos Talk About the Deal of the Year in Greece.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised Mutares on the acquisition of Natura from Pelion. CMS advised Pelion on the deal.

Ellex has advised Capitec on its acquisition of AvaFin. Bowmans reportedly advised the buyers as well.

CMS has advised 6 Degrees Capital and other investors on the EUR 5 million funding round for Nobilegroup. KPMG Law advised Nobilegroup.

Dentons has successfully represented an unlawfully sterilized woman in administrative court proceedings against the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic regarding a denied claim for compensation and subsequent appeal on a pro bono basis.

Wardynski & Partners has represented the Civil Society Drug Policy Initiative on a pro bono basis in a dispute with Meta.

Integrites has provided pro bono defense representation to a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine concerning criminal charges brought against him by the military command. The firm also advised the soldier's family on obtaining monetary compensation.

KPD Consulting has advised VD Group on its acquisition of the LvivTech.City project from UFuture Holding.

Savoric & Partners has advised Accor on its partnership with Jadran Hoteli.

Clifford Chance has advised BPD Development on the sale of its development land in Prague to Daramis. AK Felix reportedly advised Daramis.

North Macedonia, strategically located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, south-eastern Europe, is a landlocked country with a unique advantage. Its position between two main European corridors, coupled with political and democratic stability and a favorable tax and regulatory framework, makes North Macedonia a promising destination for potential foreign investors. The country offers abundant possibilities, especially in greenfield investments, renewable energy, software, IT services, logistics, construction, cannabis production, agriculture, food services, tourism, etc.

The proposed Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Games of Chance brings several important changes, certain new legal solutions as a result of the needs of practice and market development, harmonization of the text of the law with technological development in this area, but also introduces new obligations to organizers and significantly increase in fees for obtaining approval and for organizing of games of chance.

Nicolas Wolski has become the new Head of Tax at BPV Huegel, taking over from Partner Gerald Schachner.

TGS Baltic has advised one of the founders and sole board member of Altero Group Arturs Kostins on his exit and management handover to OM Teenused. Ellex reportedly advised OM Teenused.

BCGL and Dotlaw have advised Symfonia on its acquisition of Nefeni. WBW Weremczuk Bobel and Partners advised the sellers. Nowakowska Muzal reportedly advised Symfonia as well.

CMS Partners Daniela Kroemer, Dragana Bajic, Tomasz Sancewicz, and Katalin Horvath discuss the growing role of AI in HR across CEE and delve into its current applications, regulatory challenges, and the broader impact on workplace dynamics.

Romania-based Mares & Mares and Cyprus-based Emilianides Katsaros have formed a partnership spanning Cyprus, Romania, and Greece.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is an independent body of the European Union (EU) tasked with investigating criminal cases infringing the financial interests of the EU. The EPPO was formally established in 2017 and started operations in 2021. The first and current head of the European Chief Prosecutor is Laura Codruta Kovesi, former Chief Prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (Directia Nationala Anticoruptie; DNA), the Romanian agency tasked with investigating corruption cases.

Former Managing Associates Jesse Kivisaari and Lembit Tedder have been promoted to Partner at Cobalt Estonia.