CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Ellex, working with DLA Piper, has advised NORD/LB on the construction bridge financing for a Baltic Biorefinery Group-developed PV project in Latvia with Green Genius as the sponsor. TGS Baltic advised Green Genius and Baltic Biorefinery.
The Slovak government proposes a bill introducing indirect tax on sweetened non-alcoholic beverages with added sugar or sweeteners. Due to the voting majority in the National Council, it may be expected that the bill will be passed and will become effective from 1 January 2025.
CK Legal Chabasiewicz Kowalska has advised the founders of Znajdz Gabinet on the sale of the company to Booksy International. DLA Piper reportedly advised Booksy International.
DLA Piper has advised the Szallas Group on its acquisition of Litoralulromasec.ro for more than EUR 21 million. PwC-affiliated law firm David & Baias advised the sellers.
DLA Piper has advised the Aareal Bank on financing Star Capital Finance's EUR 285 million acquisition of six shopping centers in Poland from the Cromwell Property Group.
DLA Piper has advised international software-as-a-service provider PerfectGym Solutions on its sale to Hamburg-based gym and health facility software specialist Sport Alliance, backed by PSG Equity.
Starting with May 16, 2024, the Law no. 126/2024 on some measures to strengthen the capacity to combat tax evasion, as well as to amend and supplement some normative acts, enters into force.
Local Partner Zoltan Kozma has been appointed the new Head of the Intellectual Property & Technology group at DLA Piper in Hungary.
DLA Piper has advised Brand24 and its shareholders (including Laeq, Unfold.vc, and Michal Sadowski and Piotr Wierzejewski funds) on the sale of a 57.6% stake to Semrush.
DLA Piper has promoted Ekaterina Larens to Partner in Austria, effective May 1, 2024.
Former Counsel Michal Synowiec has been promoted to a Partner position in DLA Piper's Warsaw-based Employment Law team.
Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised Polish state-owned company Weglokoks on its acquisition of an 80% stake in Port Polnocny from Belgian group Sea-Invest. DLA Piper advised the seller.
Dentons has advised Santander Bank Polska, Erste Group Bank, and Rand Merchant Bank on their EUR 145.2 million loan extended to EPP and Echo Investment for the refinancing of the Galeria Mlociny shopping center in Warsaw. Clifford Chance advised EPP and Echo Investment.
Wolf Theiss, working with Gleiss Lutz, has advised Bausparkasse Schwaebisch Hall, Wuestenrot & Wuerttembergische, and Bausparkasse Wuestenrot on their sale of a 76.35% participation in Fundamenta-Lakaskassza to MBH Bank. DLA Piper advised MBH Bank.
DLA Piper appointed Partner Marcell Nemeth as the firm's new Head of the Finance Practice.
Hungary’s real estate market has undergone a notable transformation in response to recent economic shocks – war, soaring energy prices, sharp interest rate hikes, and high inflation rates. Initially taking a cautious wait-and-see approach, market players have now shifted toward a more proactive approach, navigating the complex economic environment through innovative strategies. Among these strategies, mixed-use developments have gained traction. They’re seen as resilient to market turbulence but also provide innovative development opportunities and new ways for urban transformation.
DWF has advised German energy company SachsenEnergie on the acquisition of three photovoltaic farms with a total installed capacity of 23.1 megawatts from Onde. DLA Piper advised Onde.
On September 23, 2023, the Act on Preventive Restructuring came into force in the Czech Republic. It transposes EU Directive 2019/2023 on preventive restructuring frameworks, on discharge of debt and disqualifications, and on measures to increase the efficiency of procedures concerning restructuring, insolvency and discharge of debt, and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1132.
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.