CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Vlasceanu & Partners and Wolf Theiss have advised the Ratesti Solar Plant – an Econergy group and Nofar group subsidiary – on the EUR 60 million financing from Raiffeisen Bank International and Raiffeisen Bank Romania to finance part of its EUR 102 million 155-megawatt solar project in Ratesti, Romania. CMS reportedly advised Raiffeisen Bank.
Wolf Theiss has advised the Kyoto Group on the agreement to deliver its Heatcube thermal energy storage system to Hungarian food ingredient producer KALL Ingredients.
Stratulat Albulescu has advised Eli Parks on the lease agreement with Portuguese environmental services company Sopsa for premises covering 6,400 square meters in Eli Park 4, outside Bucharest. Wolf Theiss advised tenant Sopsa Eco Innovation.
Wolf Theiss has advised the INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund and Eco Baltia on the financing from mBank for the acquisition of a 70% stake in the Polish PVC window recycler Metal-Plast.
Wolf Theiss has advised the ALSO Group technology provider on its acquisition of Austrian Apple specialist the Target Group.
Due to Polish regulations on takeover offers for publicly traded companies, public to private transactions now carry a heavier risk of failure, understood as the inability to delist the company from the exchange. The bid for shares of TIM S.A., recently extended until 6 December 2023, may be a case in point. Any investor who gets involved in a tender for shares of a listed company needs to ponder the risk that, once the transaction is finalised, they will acquire a controlling stock in a listed company, which may still be subject to a restricted trading regime applicable to public companies for quite some time.
Wolf Theiss has advised the Vienna Insurance Group on the increase of its stake in Hungarian holding company VIG Magyarorszag from 55% to 90%, by acquiring the extra stake from Hungarian state holding company Corvinus. PK & Partners reportedly advised Corvinus.
Wolf Theiss has advised Deutsche Hypo-NORD/LB Real Estate Finance on the financing for Rysy Properties Limited's EUR 46 million acquisition of the Mokotow Nova office building in Warsaw from CCP III Netherlands Holding.
On 16 November 2023, the Romanian Government approved the draft law aimed at ratifying the Unitary Patent Court Agreement (“UPCA”). Going forward, the draft law will be sent to the Romanian Parliament for its approval.
Wolf Theiss has advised the Erste Group on the up to EUR 48 million financing to Cavatina Holding for the Quorum Building Complex in Wroclaw.
JSK has advised the Genesis Private Equity Fund IV on its acquisition of STT Servis in the Czech Republic alongside some of the company's management. Wolf Theiss reportedly advised the sellers.
On 7 November 2023, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted an amendment to the Employment Relationships Act (“ERA-1D“) that entered into force on 16 November 2023.
A glimpse at legal challenges in mergers and acquisitions within an uncertain business environment.
A new legal company form and the reduction of the minimum share capital of limited liability companies is expected to make Austria more attractive in the international corporate landscape, particularly for start-ups and venture capital companies.
Orrick has advised Ellia on its USD 1.5 million seed funding. Wolf Theiss reportedly advised Bulgarian Eleven Ventures on leading the funding round.
Radovanovic, Stojanovic & Partners, working with Gianni & Origoni and Schindler Attorneys, has advised the shareholders of SKS365 Group on the sale of SKS365, including its Serbian subsidiaries, to the Italian Lottomatica Group. Sidley advised the Lottomatica Group.
The landscape of cross-border reorganisations in Poland has undergone significant changes with the amendments to the Code of Commercial Companies, effective as of 15 September 2023. The revisions introduce a pivotal element – the requirement for a certificate of compliance with Polish law for cross-border reorganisations.
Wolf Theiss has advised Switzerland-based generic medicines company Sandoz on its long-term office lease agreement with RSJ Investments for business premises in Prague. Wilsons advised landlord RSJ Investments.
With over 360 lawyers in 13 countries, over 80% of the firm’s work involves cross-border representation of international clients. We have concentrated our energies on a unique part of the world: the complex, fast-developing markets of the CEE/SEE region. Through our international network of offices, we work closely with our clients to develop innovate solutions that integrate legal, financial, and business know-how.
Wolf Theiss provides fully integrated corporate services in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, real estate, banking and finance, tax and insurance, employment law, competition law, energy law, privatisation, restructuring, public procurement and litigation. At Wolf Theiss, we measure our success by the success of our clients. We align our goals with yours to ensure that your needs are being met in even the most complex of cross-border matters. This means that we know how to listen to you and help you use the assets you already have while finding opportunities.
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