CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
On December 6, 2024, the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic approved the Act on Digitalisation of the Financial Market (ZDFT), which represents an important step in adapting the Czech legal framework to European regulations in the area of digital financial markets.
I have now spent more than 25 years in the legal advisory business world. With my core focus on cross-border M&A transactions for Austrian and international clients and having worked on many deals that also covered the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, I have witnessed lawyering in CEE register remarkable growth and sophistication over the past years.
In recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, the Austrian landscape of work has shifted, with remote working becoming a staple in the modern employment environment. In Austria, this development is reflected in the so-called 2021 “Home Office Act” which formalizes fundamental aspects of labor, tax, and social security law. However, the Home Office Act applies only to work performed from home.
DLA Piper has advised Enterprise Investors fund on a EUR 58 million investment in eTravel, alongside the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as a co-investor.
CMS has advised Tozsdepalota on its sale of the Tozsdepalota Building. DLA Piper advised the buyers, Granit Asset Management.
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As sunny days recede, the fall conference season is upon us, so we asked: How do you determine which Partner attends which events?
On December 7, 2023, Austria saw a significant shift in its tax regulations with the suspension of key provisions in the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Russia.
DLA Piper has advised the City of Warsaw on a PLN 1.05 billion loan from the European Investment Bank to finance the sustainable development of urban infrastructure.
Oppenheim has advised Generali Biztosito on its sale of its minority stake in Fundamenta Lakaskassza to MBH Bank. DLA Piper advised MBH Bank.
Former Deloitte Legal Partner Lawyer Katarzyna Jakubiak has joined DLA Piper as a Partner in the firm's International Finance group. Joining alongside her is Senior Associate Anna Tomaszewska.
DLA Piper Hungary marks a major anniversary, celebrating 20 years in the market since its establishment in 2004. Country Managing Partner Andras Posztl speaks about the firm’s sustained success and its commitment to innovation and growth as it looks to the future.
Wolf Theiss has advised joint lead managers and bookrunners Raiffeisen Bank International and M.M.Warburg & Co on the exchange offer of bonds issued by UBM Development in 2019 and 2021 and on the subsequent cash subscription offer of the EUR 93 million 7% green bond 2024-2029. DLA Piper advised UBM Development.
DLA Piper has advised Axel Johnson on its acquisition of La Fantana from Oresa and CEO Cristian Amza. RTPR, working with A&O Shearman, advised the sellers.
The National Council of the Slovak Republic has recently approved significant changes to the Value Added Tax (VAT) rates, which will come into effect as of January 1, 2025. Here are the key updates:
White & Case has advised a consortium of 16 Polish and international banks on a revolving credit facility of up to EUR 2 billion for Orlen. DLA Piper reportedly advised Orlen.
From 1 April 2025, Slovakia will introduce a new financial transactions tax (daň z finančných transakcií) as part of the government´s consolidation package. This is not an early April fools' day joke.
DLA Piper Partner Marta Frackowiak discusses the current slowdown in the Polish market, driven by geopolitical uncertainty, economic challenges, and hesitance among investors, while also highlighting key trends in M&A, employment, and regional expansion efforts by Polish businesses.
Clifford Chance has advised dealers Bank Pekao, mBank, and Santander Bank Polska on Polenergia's PLN 750 million issue of green bonds.
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, helping clients with their legal needs around the world. We strive to be the leading global full-service law firm by delivering quality and value to our clients. With practical and innovative legal solutions, we help our clients succeed.
In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), DLA Piper continues to grow and now employs more than 320 lawyers, including 46 partners across its six offices in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. With our global set-up and established relationship firms across all other CEE jurisdictions, we are among the largest and most experienced international law firms in the region. Through our experience gained advising on a variety of high-profile projects and the long-term relationships we have established with our clients, we have built a reputation as a leading business law firm across CEE.