On date 02.07.2025, with Decision No. 30, the Council of Ministers approved changes and additions to Decision no. 42, dated 16.01.2008 “On the regulation that determines the criteria and procedures for granting professional licenses for construction.”

As Brussels adopts one of the most ambitious environmental regulations in recent years, Albania once again finds itself at a familiar crossroads. The country faces pressure to align but still lacks the institutional capacity and market readiness to act meaningfully.

Former Deloitte Legal Senior Managing Associate Ened Topi has joined Lalaj & Partners as a Partner.

Kinstellar has advised Black Diamond and its parent company Clarus on the sale of Black Diamond Austria and its operating subsidiary PIEPS to an international private investment firm. Schindler Attorneys reportedly advised the buyers.

The legal framework for the construction of wind turbines in Carinthia, Austria has been fundamentally altered by the latest amendment to the Carinthian Spatial Planning Act[1] (Kärntner Raumordnungsgesetzes, K-ROG). The amendment introduces several significant (temporary) changes that affect various aspects of the approval and construction of wind turbines.

Baker McKenzie has advised Delachaux on the sale of its shares in Frauscher Sensor Technology Group to Wabtec Corporation for an enterprise value of EUR 675 million.

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. 

Gecic Law has successfully represented Arena Channels Group, alongside BH Telecom and Mtel Banja Luka, in an antitrust dispute before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

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.

On 1 July 2025, the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) regulating the new provisions in Chapters Thirty-Six ‘Issuance of a Writ of Execution’ and Thirty-Seven ‘Order for Payment Proceedings’ came into force, after the original date was postponed by one year. Also on 1 July 2025, the amendments to Regulation No. N-2 of 18 February 2020, issued by the Minister of Justice, came into force.

Schoenherr has advised Exadel on its acquisition of the IT business of Anthill. Tzvetkova, Tzvetkov & Dobreva advised Anthill.

Given the growth of the Bulgarian pharmaceutical retail sector, it is essential to understand the legal framework governing the operation of pharmacies, drugstores, cosmetics counters and optical retailers. Each of these types of businesses is subject to specific regulatory requirements designed to safeguard public health, ensure quality control and maintain compliance with both national and EU legislation.

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.

Wolf Theiss, working with Arendt, has advised Studenac on securing a EUR 300 million loan facility from a consortium of banks led by Bank Pekao and including Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen, OTP Banka, Zagrebacka Banka, and OTP Bank Plc Hungary. DTB and Clifford Chance advised the financial institutions.

Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka, working with Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, has advised funds and accounts managed by BlackRock and Blue Owl on a USD 520 million senior secured direct lending facility provided to Infobip. Latham & Watkins reportedly advised Infobip.

Havel & Partners has advised OMV Group on an electric mobility joint venture with Prazska Energetika. Krutak & Partners advised Prazska Energetika.

Czech insolvency law provides multiple options for resolving corporate insolvency. Alongside liquidation and reorganisation—which aim to wind down or rehabilitate a business—the law also offers preventive restructuring tools. These early intervention mechanisms allow a company to address temporary financial difficulties without initiating formal insolvency proceedings. 

Reals has advised Upvest on the mezzanine financing of Crestyl’s Semerinka residential development in Prague. Dentons reportedly advised Crestyl.

Bernitsas has advised Piraeus Bank on the issuance and offering of EUR 500 million green senior preferred notes due 2028, targeting both international and Greek institutional investors.

Anagnostopoulos has successfully represented a former director of Werfen Hellas before the Athens Criminal Court, which cleared the defendant of healthcare fraud charges related to product pricing practices for healthcare organizations.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Frigoglass SAIC on its EUR 10.2 million cross-border acquisition of Provisiona Iberia and Serlusa Refrigerantes, based in Spain and Portugal, respectively. 

Budapest-based Dentons Partner Rob Irving has been reappointed as the Co-Head of Corporate and M&A, while Warsaw-based Partner Agnieszka Stefanowicz-Baranska has been appointed the Co-Head of the Competition and Antitrust practice.

The Hungarian Parliament adopted a tax package in June, amending the Financial Transaction Tax Act to close existing loopholes and ensure that all market participants are subject to the tax.

Kinstellar, working with Argo, has advised Altenova on its merger with Pyronova Group. KPMG Legal reportedly advised Pyronova.

Pohla & Hallmagi has advised GRK Estonia on its acquisition of A-Kaabel from its shareholders. Eversheds Sutherland advised the sellers.

Sorainen has advised Tallinna Lauluvaljak, the owner and operator of the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, on the review and update of its standard contractual documentation.

Ellex has advised Baltic venture capital fund Superangel on its investment in Kraken Technology Group.

Kosovo’s shift to a liberalized energy market has prompted business pushback, with courts stepping in to ensure stability as companies navigate rising costs, limited suppliers, and a lack of clear regulatory guidance, according to Lex Business Managing Partner Vjosa Shkodra.

Kosovo is in political limbo after the February elections, with stalled government formation affecting key decisions, according to Ardian Rexha, an Attorney at Law associated with Deloitte Kosova. At the same time, energy reforms and price hikes by the regulator are causing strong reactions from businesses and the public.

Kosovo is accelerating its energy transition, SEPA integration, and corporate transparency, aligning with EU standards to boost investment, competition, and economic stability, according to Nallbani Law Office Managing Partner Delvina Nallbani.

On 10 June 2025 Latvia completed the transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1226 by amending three key statutes: the Criminal Law, the Law “On the Procedures for the Coming into Force and Application of the Criminal Law,” and the Law on International and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia.

Sorainen has advised Danish Sun Energy on the sale of a large-scale co-located solar and battery energy storage project in Latvia to Sunotec.

Cobalt, working alongside Holland & Knight, has advised Redwire Corporation on its USD 925 million acquisition of Edge Autonomy Intermediate Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries. Richards, Layton & Finger reportedly advised the special committee of the Board of Directors of Redwire. Kirkland & Ellis reportedly advised Edge Autonomy.

Fort Legal has advised Axiology on obtaining a license enabling the company to operate as a depository, exchange, and broker in Lithuania.

Ellex has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR 60 million loan to Ignitis Group.

In July 2025, Walless announced that Ebury's acquisition of ArcaPay (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on January 24, 2025) has closed.

With the adoption of a new legislative solution in the Republic of North Macedonia, introduced through the Law on Labour Engagement of Persons, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2026, a systemic and coherent framework will be established for the regulation of temporary and seasonal labour engagement. The primary objective of this law is to formalize a segment of the labour market that, to date, has remained largely unregulated or informal, with particular focus placed on three sectors: agriculture, hospitality, and domestic services.

Karanovic & Partners has advised Paysera North Macedonia on obtaining an Electronic Money Institution license.

Foreign direct investment in North Macedonia has surged in recent years, with 2024 marking a particularly strong period for inflows, despite global uncertainties such as supply-chain disruptions and regional economic slowdowns, according to Law Office Lazarov Managing Partner Dragan Lazarov and Cakmakova Advocates Junior Partner Vladimir Bocevski.

This Legal Monitoring Report highlights key legislative developments in Moldova, including the launch of a grant program for tech start-ups, proposed excise duty reductions for small producers, extended paternity leave, enhanced protections for minor employees, regulation of temporary agency work, and time limits on meal voucher usage. Tax updates feature a new regime for freelancers, extended deductions for rural tourism and sports facilities, broader non-taxable income categories, and incentives for SMEs.

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.

Moldova’s legal landscape is undergoing a period of gradual yet meaningful transformation, according to Balaban & Partners Managing Partner Natalia Balaban who reports an increased reliance on alternative dispute resolution, strides in digitalization, and a wave of legislative reforms tied to the country’s EU accession ambitions.

Kinstellar, working alongside Noerr, has advised Strabag on the Romanian, Croatian, Czech, and Montenegrin aspects of its EUR 100 million acquisition of WTE Wassertechnik from EVN. Freshfields advised EVN.

The Ministry of Economic Development has conducted a public consultation on the draft Law on Class Actions. The primary reason for adopting a special law which regulates matters related to the collective protection of consumers is, above all, the harmonization of Montenegrin legislation with EU law, specifically with Directive (EU) 2020/1828 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC. The goal is to prevent and sanction mass violations of consumer rights by traders in the market, while also ensuring fair compensation for harmed consumers. In this text, we briefly present the most important amendments and innovations introduced by the draft Law on Class Actions.

Injac Attorneys has advised Build Your Dreams on its market entry into Serbia and Montenegro.

Budapest-based Dentons Partner Rob Irving has been reappointed as the Co-Head of Corporate and M&A, while Warsaw-based Partner Agnieszka Stefanowicz-Baranska has been appointed the Co-Head of the Competition and Antitrust practice.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised PKO Bank Polski on the issuance of EUR 500 million in 3.625% green senior non-preferred callable fixed-to-floating interest rate notes due 2031. White & Case reportedly advised joint lead managers BNP Paribas, Erste, PKO Bank Polski, UBS, and UniCredit.

Baker McKenzie has advised Delachaux on the sale of its shares in Frauscher Sensor Technology Group to Wabtec Corporation for an enterprise value of EUR 675 million.

JDE Peet's has appointed Ana Busuioc as its Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs for Central and Eastern Europe.

Wolf Theiss has advised INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund on its acquisition and financing of a majority stake in Pehart Group from Abris Capital Partners. Andronic and Partners advised the management of Pehart Group. RTPR advised Abris Capital Partners.

Filip & Company has advised Banca Comerciala Romana, BNP Paribas, Citigroup Global Markets Europe, ING Bank, J.P. Morgan, Raiffeisen Bank International, BT Capital Partners, Intesa Sanpaolo, Societe Generale, and UniCredit Bank on the EUR 500 million green bond issuance by Societatea Energetica Electrica. Clifford Chance advised Electrica.

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. 

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.

Kinstellar, working with Argo, has advised Altenova on its merger with Pyronova Group. KPMG Legal reportedly advised Pyronova.

On 2 June 2025, the European Commission (“EC”) imposed a substantial EUR 329 million fine on Delivery Hero and Glovo for their involvement in a cartel in the online food delivery sector.

Slovak lawyer Ivana Kollarova has become the Interim Deputy General Counsel at Pepco, based in Poland.

Kinstellar, working with Argo, has advised Altenova on its merger with Pyronova Group. KPMG Legal reportedly advised Pyronova.

Ments has advised the Running Sushi restaurant on its launch in the Eurovea shopping center in Bratislava.

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.

Lexist has advised Efor Holding subsidiary YMN Icecek Gida on the acquisition of Of Caysan Tarim Urunleri Entegre Tesisleri Sanayi ve Ticaret from Jacobs Turkiye and has also advised both YMN and OfCay as borrowers on the acquisition financing provided by Turkiye Is Bankasi. Allen Overy Shearman Sterling’s Turkish affiliate Gedik & Eraksoy advised Jacobs Turkiye. Ergun advised Is Bankasi.

Dentons’ Turkish affiliate law firm Balcioglu Selcuk Eymirlioglu Ardiyok Keki has advised Revo Capital on its USD 3.5 million investment in Virgosol. Karacam & Sir advised Virgosol.

Tunca Attorney Partnership has advised Forte on its acquisition of Milsoft from SSTEK Defence Industry Technologies.

Integrites has initiated an antidumping investigation on behalf of Ukratlantik LLC and Hydroprom LLC, targeting imports of electric storage water heaters from China into Ukraine.

On 14 June 2025, Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the Organisation of Labour Relations under Martial Law" Regarding Information Exchange and Suspension of Employment Agreements" (the "Law") entered into force.

Sayenko Kharenko has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR 10 million loan to the city of Lviv, aimed at ensuring the continued provision of vital municipal services and mitigating the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine.