Baker McKenzie has advised MHP on its acquisition of over 92% of the share capital in Grupo UVESA. Garrigues reportedly advised the sellers.

CMS, working with Cyprus-based Michael Damianos & Co, has advised ING Bank on a pre-export finance facility provided to a Ukrainian agricultural group.

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii, working alongside Hogan Lovells, has advised Ameropa Group on the up to USD 1.35 billion full refinancing of its existing credit facilities.

CMS has advised AB Investment Group on the licensing process before the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission for its 27-megawatt PV and 24-megawatt-hour BESS Albena Solar Project. 

In June of 2025, the Ministry of Construction and Transport published a draft law that would amend the government decree on the procedure for granting permits for changes of the intended purpose of commercial buildings. The original version of the decree has already required a permit for certain types of conversions of commercial buildings over 400 sqm, their separate units or sales areas, as well as for converting buildings over 400 sqm to commercial buildings.

On 28 February 2025, the President of Ukraine signed the Law of Ukraine "On the Peculiarities of Regulating the Activities of Legal Entities of Certain Organizational and Legal Forms in the Transition Period and Associations of Legal Entities" No. 4196-IX, adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament on 9 January 2025 ("Law"). The Law will come into effect on 28 August 2025.

Harrisons, working with Bird & Bird, has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a subordinated loan of up to RSD 1.4 billion (approximately EUR 12 million) to ProCredit Bank Belgrade. 

Harrisons has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR 10 million loan to Raiffeisen Bank Serbia under the Financial Intermediaries Framework, Go Digital in the Western Balkans Program.

CMS has advised Zagrebacka Banka on the refinancing of Mlinar Group’s existing debt in connection with Bosquar Invest’s acquisition of a 67% indirect stake in the company. Savoric & Partners and A&O Shearman reportedly advised Mlinar and Bosquar Invest.

Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, working alongside Clifford Chance, has advised Eurobank Bulgaria on its issuance of covered bonds under the country’s newly adopted Covered Bonds Act. Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, working with Linklaters, advised Citi as the sole bookrunner and trustee.

Schoenherr has advised Palfinger on the successful placement of 2,826,516 treasury shares, raising gross proceeds of over EUR 100 million through an accelerated private placement with institutional investors. Wolf Theiss, working with Clifford Chance, advised joint bookrunners BofA Securities Europe SA and UniCredit Bank.

Clifford Chance, has advised Allwyn International on a EUR 600 million offering of senior secured notes bearing interest at 4.125%, issued by its wholly owned subsidiary Allwyn Entertainment Financing. Milbank advised Allwyn as well. Cravath, Swaine & Moore reportedly advised on the matter as well.

The Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA) has recently adopted a decision in a repeated competition supervision proceeding concerning coordinated practices in public procurement procedures for diagnostic medical imaging devices in 2015. The proceeding was originally initiated in 2016. In its new decision, the HCA concluded that the undertakings involved coordinated their market behaviour infringing the prohibition on unfair market practices. The objective of their restrictive agreements was to pre-arrange the allocation of tenders in the affected procurements.

The Slovak foreign direct investment (FDI) screening regime has been in force since 1 March 2023. It covers transactions subject to mandatory screening (critical investments, based on the sensitivity of the Slovak target's activities) as well as voluntary screening (non-critical investments). In the case of mandatory screening, a standstill obligation applies, and FDI clearance must be obtained before closing.

Bernitsas has advised CVC on the merger-control process before the Hellenic Competition Commission for the sale of Ethniki Hellenic General Insurance to Piraeus Bank.

In July 2025, the Albanian Data Protection Commissioner adopted Guidance No. 05/2025 on the Processing of Personal Data by Competent Authorities (“Guidance”), marking an important step toward operationalising Law No. 124/2024, Albania’s GDPR-aligned data protection law. This guidance introduces essential obligations for authorities tasked with maintaining public order and national security, such as the police, prosecution, courts, and other public bodies involved in crime prevention or investigation.

Damla Aygun Yararca has become the Senior Director, Legal, Ethics, Compliance & Quality at Novo Nordisk Turkiye.

In a significant development for the personal data protection landscape in Albania, the Council of Ministers has adopted Decision No. 347, dated 19 June 2025, establishing a new state database titled “Electronic Registry of Data Protection Officers” (DPO Registry). This marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to align its data governance infrastructure with international and European standards, in line with the newly reformed legal framework on personal data protection.

Tzvetkova, Tzvetkov & Dobreva has advised ITF Group on a dual acquisition of a majority stake in Klear and a 20% stake in FinBiz Technologies. Dimitrova, Staykova & Partners reportedly advised Klear and FinBiz Technologies.

Forgo, Damjanovic & Partners has advised Datapao on its capital raise from Databricks and Euroventures. Csovari Legal advised Euroventures. Oppenheim advised Databricks.

Sorainen has advised Livonia Partners on the sale of its majority stake in Glassense to Barrus.

CMS has advised AB Investment Group on the licensing process before the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission for its 27-megawatt PV and 24-megawatt-hour BESS Albena Solar Project. 

Bulgarian’s electricity transmission system operator (ESO EAD) has published its ten-year network development plan (TYNDP), subject to final approval by the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), which has made the 400kV network the backbone of the electricity transmission network in Bulgaria, whose geographical location suggests there will be great commercial interest in using its transmission network for electricity transit.

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii and Suciu Partners have advised PPC on the merger of its Romanian renewables companies into PPC Renewables Romania. 

Musat & Asociatii has won an appeal before the High Court of Cassation and Justice against a prior decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, allowing the retrial of the review application in the case concerning the torturers of Romanian anti-communist dissident Gheorghe Ursu.

Ellex has offered pro bono representation in a same-sex parenthood case before the national courts in Lithuania, resulting in the first-ever recognition of same-sex parents.

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.

LCF Law Group’s Energy and Projects practice has had a busy year in Ukraine, with Partner Ivan Bondarchuk highlighting major energy infrastructure mandates – from renewables and storage to gas power plants – alongside critical road and grid projects, post-war recovery initiatives, and increasing interest from international investors preparing for the post-war market.

On 30 July 2025, the President of Ukraine signed Draft Law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Improvement of the Mechanism for Attracting Private Investments Using Public-Private Partnership to Accelerate the Restoration of War-Damaged Facilities and Construction of New Facilities Related to the Post-War Economic Recovery of Ukraine” No. 7508 (“Law”). This is a comprehensive reform developed since 2022, spanning almost 250 pages. It restates the Law of Ukraine “On Public-Private Partnership” and amends related acts to align them with updated public-private partnership (“PPP”) procedures.

Havel & Partners has advised Arriva on a purchase agreement with Skoda Transportation for the delivery of 22 new railway units.

SK&S has advised Intrum AB on its recapitalization transaction through which it restructured approximately EUR 4.48 billion in financial indebtedness.

The adoption of The Personal Bankruptcy Act ( the“Act“), published in the State Gazette, issue 54 of July 4, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the development of Bulgarian law. This legislative act fills a long-standing gap in the national legal framework, as Bulgaria was until recently the only European Union member state without comprehensive personal insolvency legislation. This lack has led to serious social and economic difficulties for citizens burdened with unmanageable debts, who often find themselves in a permanent state of inability to repay them.

Avellum and Hillmont Partners have successfully defended Argentem Creek Partners and Innovatus Capital Partners in a bankruptcy dispute against GNT Group member Olimpex Coupe International before Ukraine’s Supreme Court.

With the development of the digital economy, new forms of work organization and performance have emerged, particularly through digital labor platforms (e.g., Glovo, Wolt, Uber, Upwork, Freelancer).

The intertwining between private international law, which is fundamentally of a private nature, and labour law, which incorporates both public and private law elements, is becoming increasingly significant. This development is founded on the increased demand for foreign workforce, as well as on the contemporary shift towards remote working arrangements. As these trends continue, the intersection of these two legal fields is gaining prominence, necessitating careful consideration of how cross-border employment relationships are regulated within this evolving landscape.

This summer, the Albanian National Assembly adopted a significant package of amendments to the Law on Foreigners, signalling a clear shift toward aligning national migration rules with key EU directives. While the legal changes are substantial, their purpose is broader: to simplify how Albania governs entry, residence, and work rights for foreign nationals, especially those from the European Union. The reform reflects both Albania’s political will to approximate the EU acquis and a growing recognition that the country must adapt to new demographic, labour, and mobility dynamics. While the amendments cover a wide range of areas, we highlight below the provisions most likely to impact foreign nationals and their interactions with Albanian institutions.

Wardynski & Partners has advised IVC Evidensia Poland on the acquisition of a veterinary clinic in Gdansk operated by Gdanska Calodobowa Lecznica Weterynaryjna Zwierzyniec II S.C. Tomczak-Zabrocka, Chwojnowski, Chwojnowska.

CCAO has advised Acibadem on its acquisition of 80% of Bayindir Healthcare Group from Trakya Yatirim Holding.

The Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA) has recently adopted a decision in a repeated competition supervision proceeding concerning coordinated practices in public procurement procedures for diagnostic medical imaging devices in 2015. The proceeding was originally initiated in 2016. In its new decision, the HCA concluded that the undertakings involved coordinated their market behaviour infringing the prohibition on unfair market practices. The objective of their restrictive agreements was to pre-arrange the allocation of tenders in the affected procurements.

Asters, working alongside lead counsel Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, has represented Oschadbank in its latest legal action against the Russian Federation, seeking compensation for investment losses in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine.

Glatzova & Co has represented Komercni Banka in judicial administrative proceedings seeking to overturn a Czech National Bank decision imposing a fine for an alleged breach related to early repayment of consumer housing loans with fixed interest rates.

The humble "Out of Office" (OOO) reply, once a simple courtesy notice, is evolving into a powerful symbol of shifting corporate values and a frontline defense in the battle for genuine work-life balance, especially during the precious holiday season.

Law office Zornada has advised DDL Zagreb and its shareholders on the sale of a majority shareholding in the company to Neftys Pharma. Miskovic & Miskovic, BDK Advokati, and ODI Law advised Neftys Pharma.

SRC has advised MLP Group on the lease of 24,000 square meters of warehouse space to Sarantis Poland within the MLP Pruszkow II logistics park near Warsaw.

SSW has advised Eika Asset Management on securing financing from Santander Bank Polska for the development of a logistics facility in Sochaczew, Poland. DLA Piper reportedly advised Santander Bank Polska.

Pohla & Hallmagi, working with Wikborg Rein, has advised Marine Energy Solutions on its acquisition of the PRIME oil tanker. Reed Smith reportedly advised the unidentified sellers.

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.

Forgo, Damjanovic & Partners has advised Datapao on its capital raise from Databricks and Euroventures. Csovari Legal advised Euroventures. Oppenheim advised Databricks.

Sorainen has advised Livonia Partners on the sale of its majority stake in Glassense to Barrus.

Wardynski & Partners has advised IVC Evidensia Poland on the acquisition of a veterinary clinic in Gdansk operated by Gdanska Calodobowa Lecznica Weterynaryjna Zwierzyniec II S.C. Tomczak-Zabrocka, Chwojnowski, Chwojnowska.

Pekin & Pekin has provided pro bono advice to Fenerbahce SK, Fenerium, Fenerbahce Futbol on its partnership with Adidas.

Sayenko Kharenko has provided pro bono support for a cultural initiative that aims to set war-time poems, written by Ukrainian defenders, to music. 

Musat & Asociatii has won an appeal before the High Court of Cassation and Justice against a prior decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, allowing the retrial of the review application in the case concerning the torturers of Romanian anti-communist dissident Gheorghe Ursu.

HKV has promoted former Senior Associate Martin Hricko to Partner.

This article examines the possibility of challenging Zonal Urban Plans (PUZ) in administrative litigation in light of Decision No. 12/2021 of the Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice, which classified PUZs as normative administrative acts. It analyses the legal implications of the legislative amendment introduced by Law No. 151/2019, which expressly established a five-year statute of limitations for challenging PUZs.

ZSP Advokati, working with Dentons, has advised Erste Banka Srbija Novi Sad on a refinancing facility for the Big Fashion retail park, part of the BIG CEE group.

Octavian Ionascu has joined DLA Piper's Romania office as a Tax Director.

The Hungarian Parliament adopted a tax package in June, amending the Financial Transaction Tax Act to close existing loopholes and ensure that all market participants are subject to the tax.

Integrites has joined the Diia City Union as a legal partner, aligning itself with the professional association of resident companies within Ukraine’s Diia.City legal and tax framework.

Tzvetkova, Tzvetkov & Dobreva has advised ITF Group on a dual acquisition of a majority stake in Klear and a 20% stake in FinBiz Technologies. Dimitrova, Staykova & Partners reportedly advised Klear and FinBiz Technologies.

Forgo, Damjanovic & Partners has advised Datapao on its capital raise from Databricks and Euroventures. Csovari Legal advised Euroventures. Oppenheim advised Databricks.

HKV has promoted former Senior Associate Martin Hricko to Partner.

Anagnostopoulos has successfully represented a former director of Werfen Hellas before the Athens Criminal Court, which cleared the defendant of healthcare fraud charges related to product pricing practices for healthcare organizations.

On 10 June 2025 Latvia completed the transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1226 by amending three key statutes: the Criminal Law, the Law “On the Procedures for the Coming into Force and Application of the Criminal Law,” and the Law on International and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia.

Bahas, Gramatidis & Partners has promoted George Alexandris to Partner.