Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, working with Linklaters, has advised joint lead managers Citigroup, ING Bank, J.P. Morgan, and UniCredit on the dual-tranche EUR 4 billion sovereign bond issuance by the Republic of Bulgaria under its EUR 27 billion global medium-term note program. At the same time, DGKV advised arrangers and dealers BNP Paribas, HSBC, and Societe Generale on the update of the Republic of Bulgaria’s GMTN Program to EUR 27 billion. Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, and Clifford Chance advised the Republic of Bulgaria.

BTA Solivan has advised Celtic Park Piaseczno and Celtic Park Lomianki on the financing and refinancing of warehouses and office complexes located near Warsaw by mBank. Eversheds Sutherland reportedly advised mBank.

Pohla & Hallmagi has advised SMH Group on the acquisition of the business of Tallinna Kommunlaateenused. Eversheds Sutherland reportedly advised the sellers.

Eversheds Sutherland has promoted former Counsel Michal Hrabovsky to Partner.

Given the growing emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices, obligations in the field of ESG are becoming increasingly significant. The banking sector is emerging as one of the key players in this transformation, with evolving regulatory frameworks influencing its operations.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With 2024 behind us, we asked: Looking at transactional volumes for this year, would you say that 2024 was better or worse than what you originally expected it to be, and why?

Eversheds Sutherland Managing Partner Bernhard Hager talks about energy in Slovakia in 2025.

Slovakia is currently still in the process of approving the draft legislation for the implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and repealing Directive (EU) 2016/1148 (NIS2 Directive). However, Slovakia has missed the implementation deadline of October 17, 2024, with the draft pending approval in Parliament, expected by late November 2024.

With the end of the 2024 calendar year accounting period, companies must focus on key obligations associated with it. This overview, prepared by the law firm Eversheds Sutherland, summarizes the most important deadlines and obligations related to financial statements, the annual report, the related parties report, and the filing of the corporate income tax return. Proper and timely fulfillment of these obligations is essential to comply with legal requirements.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised Orbian on its acquisition of Platebni Instituce Roger from KB SmartSolutions and other shareholders. BPV Braun Partners advised one of the selling shareholders, Echilon Capital.

Recently, more and more European environmental regulations have been issued, that are directly binding and applicable, with the aim of achieving a circular economy and climate neutrality within a specified period.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised the Foreign Expansion Fund 2 FIZAN of Polski Fundusz Rozwoju on debt financing to Euvic for the acquisition of stakes in five companies operating in the IT sector in Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Vinnytsia.

Cobalt, working with Dentons, has advised AirBaltic on the sale of a minority stake to Lufthansa Group. Eversheds Sutherland Bitans advised Lufthansa Group.

Competition clauses are found in a number of European jurisdictions. Slovak legislation on post-employment non-compete clauses is characterized by: the obligation to agree on a non-compete clause in an employment contract, the possibility to agree on it only with a certain type of employee, time limitation, and remuneration.

The past year has brought several important changes in the employment area. Most of the new developments are already in force, but for some we had to wait until the beginning of 2025. However, some important changes are still not in force, nor have they been approved. Also due to considerable media support, part of the public is confused, and unexpected situations may arise. Below is a summary of the most important changes.

Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland, has advised Allianz Bank Bulgaria on its issuance of EUR 50 million MREL notes due December 2028.

Former Hogan Lovells Counsel and Head of the Warsaw M&A Practice Tomasz Zak has joined Eversheds Sutherland as a Partner.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised TSG Austria on the acquisition of E-Port Elektrotechnik from Marin Bruckmueller, Harald Winkler, and Kerstin Peinbauer. SWS Scheed Woess advised the sellers.