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. With industry-specific software emerging left and right, the legal industry was not left behind. To explore some of the trends in this regard, we asked: What are some of the specific legal tech platforms you use?
In the Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. As summer is a time to unwind, we asked: With summer here, what is your one favorite yearly activity to disconnect and switch off?
Digitization is affecting many sectors and healthcare is no exception. It is a key tool for speeding up and streamlining processes that can significantly improve the quality and availability of medical care. In the Czech Republic, the overall level of digitization in healthcare is still low.
White & Case has advised joint lead managers Commerzbank, Danske Bank, DZ BANK, Erste Group Bank, Raiffeisen Bank International, and UniCredit Bank on the issuance of EUR 500 million 2.875% mortgage-covered bonds due 2029 under the EUR 10 billion mortgage-covered bond program of UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Dentons has advised the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic on an addendum to the existing production sharing agreement with BP, MOL, INPEX, Equinor, ExxonMobil, TPAO, ITOCHU, and ONGC Videsh for the development of the non-associated natural gas reservoirs in the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli field.
At the beginning of the week, Apple introduced its latest iPhone 16, which entices customers with the integration of artificial intelligence called "Apple Intelligence."
It can be interesting to examine how other countries address anti-competitive agreements. The European trend is certainly moving towards penalising a broader range of cartel behaviour using new tools, rather than relying primarily on leniency applications (self-reporting) as in the past.
Former Associate Veronika Civinova has been promoted to Partner at KLB Legal.
Pfizer Eastern Europe Cluster Legal Lead and Legal Director Lucie Kubenova talks about the importance of staying connected with colleagues when managing a legal team spread across 22 countries CEE.
More and more legal departments are actively integrating methodologies from disciplines outside the traditional legal sphere, such as project management and even engineering. This evolution is reshaping how legal teams deliver value, emphasizing both strategic impact and operational efficiency. Precision Medicine Group Deputy General Counsel Krzysztof Mazurek, Alpekr Managing Director Petr Zatopek, and Audax Head of Legal Andras Nemeth took a look at the vital role of cross-disciplinary skills in modern legal at the CEE Legal Matters GC Summit, held in Warsaw on April 25-26, 2024.
In a world where business operations frequently cross borders, the role of legal strategy becomes critical in navigating complex regulatory and political landscapes. Drawing on their professional experience, Envista Holdings Corporation Senior Legal Counsel Karel Budka and Head of General Legal at Zentiva Pawel Borowski held talks at the CEE Legal Matters GC Summit that took place in Warsaw on April 25-26, 2024. Budka explored the depths of managing foreign direct investment subsidy applications and Borowski looked at the implications of adapting to evolving sanctions.
Environmental, Social, and Governance are no longer mere buzzwords. ESG has become integral to corporate strategy and operations. Companies are now under increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and the public to adhere to ESG standards. The role of in-house counsel in ESG and the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) requires a balance of legal expertise, strategic thinking, and proactive risk management.
Clifford Chance has advised a group of Czech banks, led by Ceska Sporitelna and including Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka and Citi, on the financing of CVC Capital Partners and EMMA Capital's acquisition of FoxPost from Wallis Asset Management and Trueway/Finext.
Dentons has advised Yanmar Group on its acquisition of Tedom from the Jet Investment fund. DRV Legal advised Jet Investment Fund.
KPMG Legal has announced its expansion into Moravia by opening a new office in Brno.
Clifford Chance has advised Finep on the sale of the Novy Opatov G1 residential rental project to REICO CS Nemovitostni.
Reals has advised Conseq Realitni on its acquisition of the Ctyri Dvory shopping center in Ceske Budejovice from Reico IS CS. CMS advised the sellers.
The Czech Parliament and government have been unusually active in the field of labour law recently so there is a lot of legal news.
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
