The long-anticipated initiative to establish a new legal framework for personal data protection in Albania is finally moving forward, as the Council of Ministers has approved a draft law that aligns closely with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This proposed legislation promises to bring significance in this important but frequently underappreciated legal domain. With its comprehensive approach and alignment with EU standards, the new law aims to greatly improve privacy protection in the national context.

New Joint Instruction No. 196/2024, “On cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, and the State Intelligence Service regarding the issuance of residence permits for foreigners” (the “Instruction”), came into effect on 22 October 2024. This Instruction, aimed at clarifying and improving coordination among public institutions, does not amend existing residence or unique permit (i.e., a residence permit issued for employment purposes that combines both the residence and work permit) procedures for foreign nationals. Instead, it reaffirms the established process, ensuring that it remains consistent while improving transparency and efficiency.

CMS Partner Evis Zaja reports rapid legal and economic developments in Albania, including upcoming amendments in the competition sector, new cybersecurity laws, and the country's increasing appeal to international businesses.

Wolf Theiss has advised Raiffeisen Bank International on the issuance of EUR 650 million fixed to reset rate additional tier 1 notes and on its tender offer for the repurchase of EUR 650 million fixed to reset rate additional tier 1 notes issued in 2017. Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer reportedly advised the banks.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

E+H has advised Austrian Ski Association's subsidiary Austria Ski Team Handels- und BeteiligungsgesmbH on a joint venture concerning the online platform Skizeit.

Contributed by Arzinger

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

Unlike many neighboring countries, the Trademark Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina explicitly addresses bad faith trademark applications as both relative grounds for refusal and as a basis for contesting a trademark through court proceedings. In other words, trademark applications filed contrary to the principles of good faith and fair dealing can be challenged either through an opposition before the Institute for Intellectual Property or by filing a lawsuit before the competent court. While this dual system theoretically provides two distinct avenues of recourse, practical experience shows that both mechanisms tend to merge into a single, judicially driven process. Below, we analyze the key lessons drawn from recent case law concerning bad faith trademark filings.

On 19 September 2024, BDK Advokati celebrated 20 years since its establishment. BDK Advokati Managing Partner Tijana Kojovic and Senior Partner and Head of the Montenegrin office Luka Popovic reflect on this milestone and discuss the journey of the firm, its evolution, achievements, and aspirations for the future.

In today's digital age, social media has become a ubiquitous presence in our personal and professional lives. For employers, these platforms offer a valuable yet complex tool in the hiring process. While the potential to gather additional insights about job candidates is enticing, it also raises significant legal questions regarding privacy and data protection.

Kinstellar has advised Eleven Ventures on an investment in Cloud Office.

As Schonherr Head of Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution practices in Bulgaria Ventsislav Tomov explains, Bulgaria’s delicate political situation and unreliable judicial system are creating a challenging environment for both local and international businesses. Amid these uncertainties, internal corporate investigations are on the rise, driven by cultural clashes between Western investors and Bulgarian management as well as growing concerns over compliance and governance.

Since 2016, the term “Black Friday” has been registered as a trademark in Germany, granting exclusive rights to a single company, Super Union Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong, for its use in advertising. This registration covered over 900 goods and services, restricting other businesses from using the term in their promotions. However, recent legal developments have definitively resolved this contentious issue.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised Digital Realty on the sale of its cloud services business in Croatia to Databox.

White & Case has advised Energo-Pro Green Finance on its CZK 3.5 billion retail domestic offering of green notes due 2029 with J&T IB and Capital Markets as the arranger and J&T Banka and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia as the managers. A&O Shearman advised the joint lead managers.

Kocian Solc Balastik has advised Avant Loan Sicav on its first EU growth prospectus.

Dunovska & Partners has advised Aricoma on a parallel dual acquisition of IT companies TaxLabs from Synteca and Gist from individual sellers. Rowan Legal reportedly advised Synteca. Kaplan & Nohejl reportedly advised the sellers of Gist.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

Bernitsas has advised China State Grid on its acquisition of a 20% stake in Greece's Independent Power Transmission Operator's subsidiary Ariadne Interconnection which is responsible for implementing the electricity interconnection between Attica and Crete.

Bernitsas has advised Piraeus Financial Holdings on a liability management exercise consisting of an invitation made to holders of its outstanding EUR 500 million fixed-rate reset tier 2 notes due February 2030 to tender their notes for purchase by PFH for cash and on the issuance and offering to international and domestic institutional investors through a bookbuilding process of EUR 650 million tier 2 fixed rate reset notes due September 2035, as well as on the listing of the new notes on the Euro MTF market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

The longstanding partnership between Hungary and Serbia has taken another step forward with the recent amendment to the double taxation convention. These agreements are crucial for eliminating double taxation on income and assets for both individuals and companies, fostering a more favorable business climate.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

On 10 October 2024, the Ministry of National Economy published a draft Government Decree on the National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority and another one on the amendments to the Government Decrees related to the establishment of the National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority.

Cobalt has advised PSA on its acquisition of 50% of Parnu Sadam shares from Transcom.

TGS Baltic has successfully represented the Estonian Transport Administration in two court cases against cleaning and maintenance service provider Krausberg Eesti.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised EWE on the sale of EWE Polska and its group companies EWE Przesyl and EWE Energia to Eesti Gaas for a total value of EUR 120 million. CMS and Ellex advised Eesti Gaas.

RPHS Law has advised Swinto on the sale of the majority of its shares to Virtus Invesco Partners. ICL Legal advised the buyers.

Kalo & Associates has advised Starlink on establishing its business in Kosovo.

Inlex Managing Partner Shkumbin Asllani reports on the country's ambitious goals for economic growth outlining Kosovo's recent legislative efforts to promote renewable energy, attract investments, and develop capital markets while remaining cautiously optimistic, noting that implementation could face challenges.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised Everfield on its acquisition of Meditec AB and Medicloud SIA. Cobalt advised the sellers.

Evo Legal Founder Arina Stivrina has joined Walless’ Latvia team as an Associate Partner.

Cobalt has advised Latvenergo on its acquisition of DSE Aizpute Solar from developer Danish Sun Energy ApS. Sorainen reportedly advised the sellers.

Walless has successfully represented Voltas in a EUR 1.7 million business interruption insurance case in Lithuania.

Ellex, working with Kirkland & Ellis, has advised Advent International on its acquisition of Nuvei Corporation. Stikeman Elliott and Sorainen reportedly advised Nuvei.

TGS Baltic has advised Superhero Capital on leading a EUR 2.5 million investment round for Cyber Upgrade with Specialist VC, Firstpick, NGL Ventures, and angel investors Marios S. Kalochoritis and Sergei Anikin also participating. Noor reportedly advised on the round as well.

In the past few years, North Macedonia has made significant strides in developing its infrastructure. Attracting foreign investors is the main strategy to finance, construct, develop, and manage essential infrastructure projects. The government also engages in PPPs, recognizing their potential to leverage private sector expertise and capital in public service delivery.

The spring of 2024 marked a pivotal shift in the Macedonian financial market, with significant reforms on the horizon. As of March 2024, the related legislative framework has come under intense scrutiny, aiming to align more closely with European directives and capital market regulations. This effort has culminated in the adoption of the new Law on Financial Instruments (LFI) and the Law on Prospectus and Transparency Obligations of Securities Issuers (LPTOSI). The primary objective of these reforms is to enhance market efficiency and strengthen the stability of the financial system.

North Macedonia, strategically located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, south-eastern Europe, is a landlocked country with a unique advantage. Its position between two main European corridors, coupled with political and democratic stability and a favorable tax and regulatory framework, makes North Macedonia a promising destination for potential foreign investors. The country offers abundant possibilities, especially in greenfield investments, renewable energy, software, IT services, logistics, construction, cannabis production, agriculture, food services, tourism, etc.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

Vizdoaga Law Office and Dolea & Co have announced a collaboration between the two firms.

The topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has lately become an actual and increasingly important aspect in Moldovan law. Until recently scarcely regulated, the activity involving GMOs was subject to significant legal loopholes. This led to the inherent risk pertaining to GMOs being difficult to control, especially with agriculture playing an important role in the national economy.

JPM Partners has advised Presto Pay on obtaining a payment institution license from the Central Bank of Montenegro.

JPM Partners has successfully represented the Montenegrin Agency for Audiovisual Media Services in an administrative dispute initiated by the Serbia-based Pink Media Group.

The Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica recently imposed a fine of EUR 806,953.09 on the telecommunications company M:tel doo Podgorica (“M:tel”) for the acquisition, by its related Serbian company, of 50% shares in the Slovenian company Arena Sport doo Ljubljana (“Arena Sport”).

Greenberg Traurig and Filip & Company have advised Polish chemical group Qemetica on its acquisition of PPG's precipitated silica business for approximately PLN 1.2 billion (USD 310 million). Hogan Lovells advised PPG.

CK Legal Chabasiewicz Kowalska has advised Kruk on its latest issuance of series AP2 bonds.

Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Polski Fundusz Rozwoju on a PLN 82.5 million in long-term financing to fund and refinance the construction of photovoltaic plants sponsored by Projekt Solartechnik. Rymarz Zdort Maruta advised Projekt Solartechnik.

Greenberg Traurig and Filip & Company have advised Polish chemical group Qemetica on its acquisition of PPG's precipitated silica business for approximately PLN 1.2 billion (USD 310 million). Hogan Lovells advised PPG.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

The UK government recently unveiled guidance on a major update to its corporate fraud laws: the “failure to prevent fraud” offence, introduced through the 2023 Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT). Taking effect on September 1, 2025, this law could have serious implications for companies operating within the EU.

Contributed by Clifford Chance.

Contributed by Alrud.

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

The longstanding partnership between Hungary and Serbia has taken another step forward with the recent amendment to the double taxation convention. These agreements are crucial for eliminating double taxation on income and assets for both individuals and companies, fostering a more favorable business climate.

Non-material damage is determined by Serbian law as inflicting on another physical or psychological pain or causing fear. Also, the law prescribes that the court shall, after finding that the circumstances of the case and particularly the intensity of pains and fear, and their duration, provide a corresponding ground thereof – award equitable damages for physical pains suffered, for mental anguish suffered due to reduction of life activities, for becoming disfigured, for offended reputation, honor, freedom or rights of personality, for the death of a close person, as well as for fear suffered.

The Serbian Parliament has passed the amendments to the Energy Act, introducing significant reforms to the nation’s energy policy – a landmark change is lifting the long-standing moratorium on nuclear power plant construction, which has been in place since 1989 following the Chernobyl disaster. The updated legislation also includes broader measures aimed at modernizing Serbia’s energy sector.

Renatus Kollar and Lucia Raimanova have been appointed as Co-Managing Partners of A&O Shearman's Bratislava Office.

Martin Jurecko has joined CMS as a Partner in its Bratislava office's Real Estate practice.

Ments has launched a new Dispute Resolution practice in Slovakia with the addition of Counsel Tomas Langer and Associate Anna Kocurova.

Slovenia’s real estate market is thriving, with robust foreign and domestic investments. Key legal and industrial shifts such as new work-life balance laws and reforms in the energy and healthcare sectors are reshaping its economic landscape, according to Krizanec & Partners Partner Dinar Rahmatullin.

Kocian Solc Balastik, working with ODI Law, has advised Energo-Pro Group on the sale of Litostroj Group to Wikov Industry.

Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic, has advised Gunnebo Safe Storage on its acquisition of the Primat Group. Lah, Jambrovic & Partners and Podjed, Kahne & Partners advised the sellers.

White & Case's Turkish affiliate GKC Partners has advised Esas Holding on the placement of approximately 19.2 million ordinary shares in Pegasus Airlines to two international institutional investors and an international financial investor residing outside of Turkiye.

Sadik & Capan has advised Koc Holding on its acquisition of 65% shares in Stembio. Acar Ergonen advised the seller, Ibrahim Ozsu.

CCAO has advised Turkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi on financing facilities to Metafor Yenilenebilir Enerji and Knot Enerji for their respective solar and hybrid solar energy power plant projects. 

On 22 November 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine published Resolution No. 1332 dated 22 November 2024 ‘Some Issues of Reservation of Persons Liable for Military Service during Martial Law’ (the ‘Resolution’), which updates the reservation procedure and clarifies certain criteria of criticality.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

Sayenko Kharenko, working with Hogan Lovells, has advised the International Finance Corporation on two risk-sharing facilities for Raiffeisen Bank Ukraine totaling approximately USD 210 million equivalent, one of which IFC cooperated on with the US International Development Finance Corporation. Redcliffe Partners and Mayer Brown reportedly advised the DFC.