CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Shifting our focus to the financial aspects of legal work, we asked: What percentage of your issued bills end up being overdue, what percentage end up never paid, and what is your firm’s/office’s standard methodology to handle both cases?
On September 12, 2023, the Czech Parliament adopted an amendment to the Labor Code, which will become effective already from October 1, 2023 (unfortunately, employers will have very limited time to prepare for the new regulation). The main purpose of the amendment is to implement the European directives on the work-life balance of parents and carers (No. 2019/1158) and on transparent and predictable working conditions (No. 2019/1152) which were to be implemented by member states in August 2022. But there are further changes that should address problems in the daily operation of employers.
Dentons has appointed Ladislav Smejkal and Jiri Strzinek as Co-Managing Partners responsible for managing the Prague office and leading the firm’s strategy for the Czech market.
White & Case has advised Keboola on its USD 32 million series A funding round led by Viking Global Investors with the participation of Presto Ventures and Reflex Capital and angel investors Eduard Kucera and Tomas Cupr, among others.
White & Case has advised Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding on the establishment of the EUR 3 billion medium-term note program of EPH Financing International, which EPH guaranteed, and the initial EUR 500 million issuance of 6.651% guaranteed notes due 2028.
A technology that changes the meaning of the word art and outpaces legislation. In the case of artificial intelligence (AI), this is especially true in the context of image creation applications such as DALL-E or Midjourney. These apps use machine learning to create original works based on an analysis of existing databases of works. However, this raises certain complications in the field of copyright.
Clifford Chance has advised Ceska Sporitelna on the financing for the acquisition of Sanborn by Czech Machining Holding, a direct subsidiary of the Oriens Fund III SCSp.
White & Case has advised SigmaRoc on the acquisition of CRH's European lime businesses for a total deal value of approximately EUR 1 billion. SSW Pragmatic Solutions reportedly advised the lenders.
.. as well as other legislation news and case law in litigation:
Rowan Legal has advised Oriens Fund II on its acquisition of Sogos Fanam.
Kocian Solc Balastik has advised Jet Investment on its acquisition of building insulation producer Likov via the Jet 3 Qualified Investor Fund.
Kinstellar has advised S Immo on its acquisition of a property portfolio in the Czech Republic, valued at EUR 481 million, from the CPI Property Group.
Kinstellar, working with Veil Jourde, has advised Jacquet Metals on its acquisition of several distribution companies from the Swiss Steel Group. Niederer Kraft Frey and Roedl & Partner reportedly advised the Swiss Steel Group.
Weinhold Legal has advised WLSCo Investment and Lama Energy on the acquisition Fonergy. CHDO Advokati reportedly advised on the transaction as well.
Glatzova & Co has advised the Vitkovice foundries on the negotiation and preparation of the reorganization plan and the approval of the prepackaged reorganization, including the preparation of credit financing to ensure liquidity during insolvency proceedings.
Clifford Chance has advised Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka on the financing for the acquisition of Gastro-Menu Express by Oriens Holding. Rowan Legal reportedly advised Oriens.
The Czech Republic appears to be in the middle of rapid advancements in digital transformation and cybersecurity, according to DLA Piper Partner Tomas Scerba, who sheds light on the significant legislative changes propelling the country to the fore of digital innovation.
JSK has advised the Genesis Private Equity Fund IV on its acquisition of STT Servis in the Czech Republic alongside some of the company's management. Wolf Theiss reportedly advised the sellers.
PRK Partners, one of the leading Central European law firms, has been helping clients achieve their business objectives almost 30 years. Our team of lawyers, based in our Prague, Ostrava, and Bratislava offices, has a unique knowledge of Czech and Slovak law and of the business environment. Our lawyers studied at top law schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland and elsewhere. They also have experience working for leading international and domestic law firms in a number of jurisdictions. We speak your language, too. Our legal team is fluent in more than 15 languages, including all the key languages of the region.
PRK Partners has one of the most experienced legal teams on the market. We are consistently rated as one of the leading law firms in the region. We have received many significant honours and awards for our work. We represent the interests of international clients operating in the Czech Republic in an efficient way, combining local knowledge with an understanding of their global requirements in a business-friendly approach. We are one of the largest law firms in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Our specialised teams of lawyers and tax advisors advise major global corporations as well as local companies. We provide comprehensive legal advice drawing on our profound knowledge of local law and markets.
Our legal advice delivers tangible results – as proven by our strong track record. We are the only Czech member firm of Lex Mundi, the world's leading network of independent law firms. As one of the leading law firms in the region, we have received many national and international awards, in some cases several years in a row. Honours include the Chambers Europe Award for Excellence, The Lawyer and Czech and Slovak Law Firm of the Year. Thanks to our close cooperation with leading international law firms and strong local players, we can serve clients in multiple jurisdictions around the globe. Our strong network means that we can meet your needs, wherever you do business.
PRK Partners has been repeatedly voted among the most socially responsible firms in the category of small and mid-sized firms and was awarded the bronze certificate at the annual TOP Responsible Firm of the Year Awards.
Our work is not only “business”: we have participated on a longstanding basis in a wide variety of pro bono projects and supported our partners from the non-profit sector (Kaplicky Centre Endowment Fund, Tereza Maxová Foundation, Czech Donors Forum, etc.).
Firm's website: www.prkpartners.com
