Drakopoulos has advised the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy on reviewing the transposition process of Directive 2018/2001 (RED II) on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources into the Greek legal framework. Dimitrov Petrov & Co, Kirm Perpar, Wardynski & Partners, and Kinstellar Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri advised on the transposition review in Bulgaria, Slovenia, Poland, and Croatia, respectively. CLM Bitai & Partners and Vojcik & Partners also reportedly advised the European Commission.

The position of consumers has been strengthened by a recent Supreme Court resolution by which the courts are obligated, within enforcement proceedings initiated against consumers, to examine, of their own motion (ex officio) whether an enforceable title contains unfair provisions. The resolution only relates to enforceable titles that have not been previously reviewed by a court, primarily agreements concluded in the form of directly enforceable notarial deeds.The resolution of the Supreme Court represents a further step in the protection of consumers with regard to unfair clauses as regulated by Council Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts (UCTD). It is in line with the Guidance on the interpretation and application of the UCTD and the respective decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

CMS has advised a consortium of Zagrebacka Banka, the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the EBRD on financing Taaleri Energia and Encro's EUR 126 million project to build two onshore wind farms near Zadar.

Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised Allianz on the sale of its 11.72% stake in Zagrebacka Banka to the UniCredit Group and on Allianz Holding Eins’ purchase of Zagrebacka Banka’s 16.84% stake in insurance company Allianz Croatia. Schoenherr reportedly advised UniCredit on the transactions.

Kinstellar Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri has advised Robin Powered on its acquisition of Flow and Form. Sole practitioner Marko Kapetanovic reportedly advised the seller. 

Vukmir & Associates has advised the majority creditors and bankruptcy administrator on the restructuring and exit from the bankruptcy of Dubrovnik-based Belvedere.

Boyanov & Co has advised BioIVT on its acquisition of Fidelis Research. Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka, BDK Advokati, Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, and Kolcuoglu Demirkan Kocakli have advised BioIVT on Croatian, Serbian, Romanian, and Turkish law-related matters, respectively. Hristov & Partners advised Integrity Capital Investments on the sale. Penkov Markov & Partners advised the other sellers.

Kinstellar’s Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri has advised Angelina Yachtcharter Holding on its acquisition of an 85% stake in Ultra Sailing. Bradvica Maric Wahl Cesarec advised the seller.

In the wake of the war in Ukraine and Russia shutting down the gas supply to Europe, Croatia has been forced to take the upcoming potential energy crisis seriously, with several government measures and packages being implemented, according to Savoric & Partners Partner Mia Lazic.

Clifford Chance and Dominkovic & Osrecak have advised Taaleri Energia and Encro on the EUR 126 million senior debt financing package for the construction of the Zadar wind farm in Croatia. CMS reportedly advised the lending consortium.

We can probably all agree that no one likes bad surprises, and the same especially holds truth with respect to unexpected outcomes of legal proceedings. When it comes to civil proceedings before Croatian courts, so-called “surprise” decisions were recently introduced into Croatian legislation by Articles 5 and 367a of the new Croatian Civil Proceedings Act which entered into force on 19 July 2022.

Kinstellar’s Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri has advised on the incorporation of two employer associations in Croatia: the Association of Trade and Logistics and the Association of the Processing Industry and Technology.

The strategic importance of the energy sector in securing a stable and sustainable energy supply is currently a hot topic across Europe. The global rise of energy prices, supply chain issues, and tackling climate change are some of the major challenges all European countries are currently facing. Croatia is no different. While tackling these global challenges, the Croatian energy sector has been undergoing major legislative and regulatory changes, especially in the field of renewable energy.

Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised Entain on its acquisition of the SuperSport Group from Emma Capital. Lovric Novokmet Partneri advised Emma Capital on the sale. Clifford Chance reportedly also advised Entain, with Dentons reportedly advising Emma Capital as well.

Havel & Partners, Savoric & Partners, ODI Law, and Hillbridges have advised a syndicate of banks on the approximately EUR 196 million syndicated cross-border refinancing loan to the CCC Group. Linklaters, Lakatos Koves & Partners, and Filip & Company reportedly advised the lenders as well.

Schoenherr, working with Pinsent Masons and Wenger Vieli, has advised Kontron on selling parts of Kontron Group’s IT services business to Vinci Energies during a competitive auction process, for approximately EUR 400 million. Reportedly, Baker McKenzie’s German office advised Vinci Energies. Loloci & Associates advised Kontron on Albanian matters.

Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, has advised Chiron Group on its acquisition of Croatia-based HSTEC. Buterin & Partners advised HSTEC on the deal.

This article provides an up-to-date overview of the currently existing FDI regimes in Croatia.