For our Checking In feature, we reach out to partners and heads of practice across CEE to learn how specific practice areas are faring in their jurisdictions. For this piece, we asked firm Labor experts: Have whistleblowing regulations been implemented in your jurisdiction and would you advise companies to use an external solution or an in-house one? Why?
Selih & Partnerji, Polenak, Maric & Co, Kalo & Associates, BDK Advokati, and Papazoski and Mishev Advise on NLB Skladi Acquisition of Generali Investments
Selih & Partnerji, Polenak, Maric & Co, Kalo & Associates, and BDK Advokati have advised NLB Skladi on its acquisition of Generali Investments in North Macedonia. Papazoski and Mishev, an independent law firm in cooperation with PwC, advised Generali Investments.
Simplifying Foreign Worker Employment Laws: A Vital Step for Macedonia’s Economic Growth
North Macedonia faces an increasing interest and need to attract foreign workers to fill low-skilled job positions. The existing regulatory framework, however, poses significant barriers to employing foreign nationals. This article will outline the benefits of simplifying these procedures, the pressing need for reform, and how changes could align Macedonia with broader European Union trends.
North Macedonia: The Growth of Real Estate Prices and the Demand for Buying and Selling Real Estate
In recent years, the real estate market in the Republic of North Macedonia, particularly in its capital city of Skopje, has witnessed significant activity. Statistics indicate a consistent trend of construction and sale of numerous residential apartments. Notably, despite the steady increase in real estate prices since 2021, there has been a notable surge in demand for residential apartment purchases. Concurrently, investor interest in constructing residential and office buildings remains robust, showing no significant signs of decline.
Schoenherr Advises ITgma on Sale to Modirum
Schoenherr has advised the owners of ITgma on the sale of a majority ownership stake to Modirum.
CEELM Deal of the Year Awards Banquet: And the Winner Is…
On the evening of April 25, 2024, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms in the region in Warsaw.
North Macedonia is Ready and Raring To Go: A Buzz Interview with Petar Serdjuk of Law Office Serdjuk
North Macedonia faces a temporary slowdown in economic activity as it gears up for presidential and parliamentary elections set for late April and early May, according to Law Office Serdjuk Managing Partner Petar Serdjuk, while the post-election period holds promise of revitalizing key sectors such as construction and infrastructure through long-awaited public procurement projects.
Competition Laws and Regulations in North Macedonia
Contributed by Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska.
The Debrief: April 2024
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.
Unpacking the Minimum Tax Act: Implications for Slovenia, Croatia, and the Region
Slovenia and Croatia adopted the Minimum Tax Act (MTA). The MTA implements Directive (EU) 2022/2523 to ensure a global minimum level of taxation for multinational enterprise groups and large-scale domestic groups in the EU. The latter is a consequence of the OECD’s global fight against tax base erosion within the scope of Pillar II.
The Corner Office: 2024 Wishes and Perils
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As we bid farewell to 2023, this time around we turn our attention forward: What is your one main wish for 2024 and what do you see as the biggest potential risk?
North Macedonia: Saving Businesses – Restructuring vs. Liquidation
As a result of the challenges that the local market has been facing over the past years brought on by the recent pandemic, wars, and other changes in the market, the majority of businesses are faced with losses and accumulating high levels of debt. Consequently, enormous pressure is imposed on businesses, including on their viability, which, in turn, pushes the need to explore methods for overcoming these obstacles.
CMS Advises Linamar Corporation on Acquisition of Dura-Shiloh Battery Enclosure Factory
CMS has advised the Linamar Corporation on its acquisition of Dura-Shiloh’s battery enclosures factory in North Macedonia. The acquisition also included factories in the Czech Republic and the US, with a total transaction value of USD 325 million.
North Macedonia's Tosic & Jevtic Joins JPM Partners
On February 19, 2024, Tosic & Jevtic and JPM Partners jointly announced their new strategic partnership, with the Serbia-headquartered firm expanding its presence to North Macedonia and Tosic & Jevtic becoming part of JPM Partners.
Harrisons, Maric & Co, Lambadarios, Wolf Theiss, and Selih & Partnerji Advise on EUR 1.7 Billion United Group Refinancing
Harrisons, Maric & Co, Lambadarios, and Wolf Theiss, working with Linklaters, have advised a banking consortium led by UniCredit Bank London on the United Group's EUR 1.7 billion issuance of four tranches of senior secured and PIK notes as well as on the increase and extension of its EUR 410 million revolving credit facility. Selih & Partnerji, working with Paul Weiss, advised the United Group. Schoenherr, Koutalidis, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, and Elvinger Hoss Prussen reportedly advised the United Group as well.
Did You Know: 2023 Leaderboards in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia
Did you know that, using the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, you can look up the 2023 deal leaderboards in each CEE market, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia?
Drakopoulos Joins South East Legal Alliance
Drakopoulos has become a part of the South East Legal Alliance, thus expanding the network’s reach to Athens, Bucharest, and Nicosia.
North Macedonia's Road to the EU Is Paved with Legislation: A Buzz Interview with Tanja Polenak of the Polenak Law Firm
While the legal landscape in North Macedonia might be somewhat stagnant – due to 2024 being an election year – there are still challenging complexities to the judicial reforms on the table, as well as struggles with consistency and knowledge, according to Polenak Law Firm Partner Tanja Polenak.