Koutalidis has advised the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator on its issuance of a bond loan of up to EUR 710 million with National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, and Eurobank as acting as arrangers, NBG and Piraeus Bank also serving as bondholder coordinators, and Alpha Bank acting as bondholder agent and administrative agent. Lambadarios advised the banks.

Former Eurobank Head of Legal Services Division Alexia Kefalogianni has joined Bernitsas Law as Counsel.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

The development of offshore wind farms in Greece represents an ambitious step in the country’s energy transition, further promoting the shift towards renewable energy sources and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The regulatory framework governing the installation and operation of offshore wind farms has evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting both national and international energy commitments, as well as the technological and environmental challenges accompanying such investments.

Koutalidis has advised Alpha Bank on the financing of a EUR 806 million secured bond loan issued by Athens International Airport.

Bernitsas has advised the joint global coordinators, joint physical bookrunners, and joint bookrunners on Public Power Corporation's EUR 600 million issuance and offering of 4.625% senior notes due 2031 and listing the notes on the Global Exchange Market of Euronext Dublin.

Unauthorized constructions have been a prominent issue in Greek reality for decades, leading to repeated legislative attempts to address it. Currently applicable legislation (law 4495/2017) provides for legalization of such unauthorized constructions, as well as arbitrary changes of use, subject to conditions and further to submission of statements, payment of fines, etc.

On November 4, 2024, Clifford Chance announced that Alpha Bank Group and Alpha Bank Romania's sale of 90.1% of Alpha Bank Romania to UniCredit (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on November 16, 2023) has closed.

Lambadarios has advised PPC on the acquisition of 66.6 megawatts of operational RES assets, a 1.7 gigawatt pipeline under development, and a 20% stake in the combined-cycle gas turbine unit in Alexandroupolis from the Copelouzos and Samaras groups. PwC Legal reportedly advised Copelouzos and Samaras.

Papapolitis & Papapolitis has advised Intrakat on the acquisition of a EUR 600 million real estate portfolio from Prodea Investments.

Papapolitis & Papapolitis, working with White & Case, has advised Germany-based investment holding Armira and Viessmann Generations Group on the acquisition of a minority stake in Pharos Generics Holding from Diorama Investments, Limonilum, Amarilenco, and Hesperiada. KLC advised Pharos Generics Holding as well as Limonilum, Amarilenco, and Hesperiada. Zepos & Yannopoulos advised Diorama Investments. Latham & Watkins was reportedly the sellers' international counsel.

Your Legal Partners has advised on the Public-Private Partnership project titled "Design, Construction, Financing, Maintenance and Operation of Seventeen School Units in the Region of Central Macedonia" to be undertaken by ATESE and Metlen Energy & Metals. Karatzas and Partners advised Piraeus Bank as the lender on the project.

Lambadarios, working with Grant Thornton, has advised Quest Holdings on its EUR 27.2 million acquisition of a 70% stake in Benrubi. Potamitis Vekris reportedly advised the sellers.

Law 5123/2024 aims to modernize the institutional framework governing pledges by creating a streamlined and contemporary legislative structure. The new law is expected to come into force once the particulars of operation of the Electronic Pledge Registry are determined by the Hellenic Cadastre’s Board of Directors or the 31st of December 2024, whichever comes first. Specifically, for share pledges, the current legal regime involves numerous formalities, and reducing these requirements would be welcomed by legal practitioners.

Karatzas & Partners has advised General Logistics Systems on its acquisition of a 20% stake in ACS Courier and Postal Services from Quest Holdings for EUR 74 million. As part of the transaction, GLS also secured a call option to acquire the remaining 80% of ACS’s share capital within the next two years for a consideration of EUR 296 million. Potamitis Vekris advised Quest Holdings.

Koutalidis, working with Milbank, has advised the underwriters on the EUR 200 million share capital increase of Cenergy Holdings.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Aviation Capital Group and Castlelake on the sale, transfer, and lease novation of one Airbus A320-214 aircraft under lease to Greek airline Sky Express, from ACG to Castlelake.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised ICBC Group and Aviation Capital Group on the sale, transfer, and lease novation of two Airbus A321NEO aircraft under lease to Greek airline Aegean Airlines, from ICBC to ACG.