Although the Slovenian capital market is still in the developing phase and has not yet reached its full potential, recent updates to the regulatory framework and market infrastructure represent substantial improvements. Such developments are related to a) the remarkable growth of the investment funds industry (especially in the field of alternative investment funds), b) the entry into force of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA), and c) the enactment of new legislation related to personal investment accounts.

Slovenia’s banking sector continues to exhibit conservative lending trends, with growth concentrated in the household segment. Lending to non-financial corporations remains flat on a year-on-year basis, while household deposits are on the rise. Despite steady progress in digitalization, cash remains dominant – nearly 64% of payment transactions at physical locations in 2024 were conducted in cash.

Law office Zornada has advised DDL Zagreb and its shareholders on the sale of a majority shareholding in the company to Neftys Pharma. Miskovic & Miskovic, BDK Advokati, and ODI Law advised Neftys Pharma.

Rojs, Peljhan, Prelesnik & Partners has advised the shareholders of Metronik on the sale of the company to Skan. Kellerhals Carrard and Nlaw advised Skan.

Peterka Partners is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the firm recently marked a new chapter with the opening of a new office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, followed by the launch of a second office in Poland in Rzeszow. Founder and Managing Partner Ondrej Peterka and Head of the Slovenian office Pia Florjancic Pozeg Vancas talk about the strategic importance of opening a branch in Slovenia and what lies ahead.

Fatur Menard has advised Interexport on the sale of its Inter Agrar division to Heinrich Schroeder Landmaschinen. Sole practitioner Pavla Bolner reportedly advised Heinrich Schroeder Landmaschinen.

The protection against the termination of employment contracts for disabled workers who still have residual working capacity is guaranteed both by the Employment Relationships Act (ZDR-1) and the Employment Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons Act (ZZRZI). Despite relatively uniform case law that has developed over the years, two recent rulings from the Higher Labor and Social Court have set new, stricter criteria for assessing the justification of dismissal reasons, which raise numerous dilemmas among employers in practice.

CMS has advised Eleport on its market entry into Croatia and Slovenia.

Cerha Hempel, working with Selih & Partnerji, has advised SES Spar European Shopping Centers on its acquisition of the Arkadia Shopping Center retail park located in Domzale, near Ljubljana, Slovenia, from Generali Adriatic Value Fund I, managed by Generali Investments Slovenija. Sole practitioner Dunja Jandl reportedly advised the sellers.

Slovenia’s dynamic political environment is keeping the legal market on its toes, with pressing developments in taxation, employment law, cybersecurity, capital markets, and infrastructure all demanding close attention, according to Peterka Partners Senior Associate and Head of Slovenian office Pia Florjancic Pozeg Vancas.

Sibincic, Novak & Partners and Doklestic, Repic & Gajin have advised Intersport ISI on its exit from the Serbian market via the sale of its stores to N Sport. Mrakovic, Markovic & Partners advised N Sport.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is currently witnessing a substantial increase in the development of Class A office spaces. Over the next three years, the city is set to introduce more than 100,000 square meters of new Class A office spaces. These developments are characterized by modern designs and a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to achieve energy certifications that are crucial for ESG compliance.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

Consumer-focused litigation, especially relating to Swiss loan credit contracts, has driven significant growth in dispute resolution practices in Slovenia since 2022, according to Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic Partner Minu Anamaria Gvardjancic. With the courts adopting a very proactive stance and wide interpretation of the impact of EU case law increasingly asserting consumers’ rights, disputes are expected to continue expanding in the coming months.

CEE Legal Matters is proud to introduce the latest in our Comparative Guides series. This one focuses on Bribery & Corruption in CEE.

Contributed by Selih & Partnerji.

CEE Legal Matters is proud to introduce the latest in our Comparative Guides series. This one focuses on Litigation in CEE.