Under the latest amendment to Act LXIX of 2024 ("Cybersecurity Act"), enterprises that qualify as large enterprises solely due to their partner or linked enterprises but do not, on their own, meet the thresholds for medium-sized enterprises are now excluded from the scope of the Cybersecurity Act.

The votes are in! CEELM is excited to announce the shortlisted deals for the 2025 CEE Deals of the Year Awards, spotlighting the most significant and impactful transactions across Central and Eastern Europe.

Baker McKenzie has advised Kingspan Group on securing a recommendation from Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture for state support under the Law “On State Support for Investment Projects with Significant Investments.”

After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting large-scale destruction, hundreds of social and infrastructure facilities were either completely destroyed or damaged, requiring restoration and reconstruction. This will demand significant investment, and government funds alone will not suffice. Therefore, attracting private capital is essential. The most effective mechanism for doing so is the public-private partnership (PPP), which Ukraine now identifies as one of its key legal tools for post-war recovery.

Baker McKenzie has advised Dobra Lithium Holdings JV on its participation and the preparation of its application for the tender to conclude a production sharing agreement for the Dobra Block lithium project in Ukraine.

Turunc has advised Lowercarbon Capital on its investment in Getmobil in a round that also included International Finance Corporation, 2150, and existing investors. Paksoy reportedly advised IFC. Baker McKenzie's Turkish affiliate law firm Esin Attorney Partnership reportedly advised Getmobil. 

The latest amendment to the Hungarian Competition Act (defined below) introduces a new tool enabling the Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA) to intervene in the construction and mining sectors, even in the absence of any competition law infringement. If the HCA identifies, during a prior accelerated sectoral investigation, undertakings of paramount significance for competition across markets and determines that competition is likely to be significantly and continuously restricted or distorted as a result, the HCA may impose behavioral or structural obligations on these construction and mining undertakings.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, working alongside Baker McKenzie, has advised Metinvest on its acquisition of a majority shareholding in ArcelorMittal Iasi.

Turunc, working with Kerr, Russell, and Weber, Dentons, Trench Rossi Watanabe, and Baker & McKenzie Abogados, has advised Android Industries on its sale to Detroit Manufacturing Systems. Aya Law Firm, working with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, reportedly advised Detroit Manufacturing Systems.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised PKO Bank Polski on the issuance of EUR 500 million 3.625% green senior non-preferred callable fixed-to-floating rate notes due 2032. Baker McKenzie reportedly advised on the matter as well.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised Bank Pekao on its issuance of EUR 500 million tier 2 subordinated callable fixed-to-floating notes due 2036, issued under the bank’s EUR 5 billion Euro Medium Term Note Program. Baker McKenzie advised the joint lead managers.

CMS has advised the management team of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group on the sale of the company to Wabtec Corporation. Baker McKenzie, Buterin & Partners, and Karanovic & Partners advised Frauscher shareholder Delachaux. Reportedly, Jones Day's Frankfurt office advised Wabtec while Trench, Rossi, Watanabe and Khaitan & Co advised Delachaux as well.

Ukraine’s legal market continues to operate under the shadow of the war, where reconstruction planning and defense-sector expansion dominate nearly every strategic discussion, according to Baker McKenzie Partner Lina Nemchenko, who observes that both clients and law firms are positioning themselves for the post-war landscape.

Andersen, working alongside Baker McKenzie, has advised JSC Bank of Georgia on the issuance and pricing of its GEL 450 million 11.50% senior unsecured notes due November 17, 2028, and listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. Dentons, working with Sidley Austin, advised the joint lead managers.

Cobalt, working with Clifford Chance, has advised Latvenergo on the successful issuance of its inaugural EUR 400 million five-year EU Green Bond bearing a 3.612% coupon. Tegos, working with Baker McKenzie, advised the arrangers and dealers, BNP Paribas and J.P. Morgan.

Baker McKenzie has advised Mageba Group on the successful refinancing of its existing indebtedness through a syndicated loan arranged with a banking consortium led by UBS Switzerland. Niederer Kraft Frey and DLA Piper reportedly advised the consortium.

AboutYou is to pay a total of HUF 500 million (EUR 1.3 million) in compensation to consumers in addition to the HUF 500 million fine imposed on it by the Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA). In the recent years, the HCA often accepted the compensation commitments offered by the companies without waiving the imposition of large fines, which is something companies should bear in mind.

Dentons’ Turkish affiliate law firm Balcioglu Selcuk Eymirlioglu Ardiyok Keki has advised Bizim Hesap on its sale to TeamSystem via Mikrogrup. Baker McKenzie's Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised Mikrogrup.