In recent years, Chinese car brands have been rapidly expanding their operations in both Poland and Europe. From a legal perspective, starting an import business is a complex, multi-dimensional activity that requires precise control.

The EU Data Act became applicable in September 2025. Businesses across the EU must comply with the new legal framework, which often means reshaping contracts, revising data access policies, and adjusting compliance priorities.

Cybersecurity has become one of the most discussed and urgent topics in Poland in recent months and even years. While the war on Poland’s eastern border undoubtedly raises the stakes, it is not the only factor increasing the importance of cyber defense. For several months now, Poland has been struggling with the implementation of the NIS2 Directive, whose deadline passed nearly a year ago. While formal regulations remain absent, the country continues to face an increasing number of serious cyber incidents.

Moldova’s renewable energy sector has taken a decisive step forward in 2025 with the completion of its first competitive auctions for the designation of Large Eligible Electricity Producers. The process, launched under Government Decision No. 690/2018, demonstrated the growing maturity of the country’s regulatory framework and its alignment with EU-style competitive mechanisms for renewable development.

The Republic of Moldova has positioned itself as a digital frontrunner in the region and an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors.

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.

The energy sector in CEE has undergone unprecedented transformation since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, forcing governments and energy companies to align their economies, businesses, and strategies with energy security objectives, transforming energy landscapes, and keeping legal teams extremely busy. Law firms have found themselves at the center of energy market changes and the renewables revolution that shows no signs of slowing.

As the region rounds the summer bend, Kinstellar Partner in Serbia Milan Samardzic, Avellum Managing Partner Mykola Stetsenko in Ukraine, and PwC Director and Head of Legal Practice in Georgia Vano Gogelia unpack what moved and why in terms of summer levels of activity, the macro and political levers at play, and what they expect to drive closings into year-end.

White & Case Local Partner Jana Chwaszcz, Havel & Partners Partner Jaroslav Baier, DLA Piper Czech Republic Country Managing Partner Miroslav Dubovsky, and Schoenherr Partner Vladimir Cizek discuss the forces behind Czech investors increasingly looking beyond their borders, the sectors and destinations attracting the most interest, and the challenges that come with navigating foreign markets.

As of June 1, 2025, changes in labor law, also known as the “Flexi-Amendment,” came into effect in the Czech Republic, with the purpose of enhancing flexibility in employment relationships and in the labor market. Peterka & Partners Partner Adela Krbcova, Sedlakova Legal Partner David Supej, Glatzova & Co Partner Jiri Sixta, Act Legal Partner Lenka Droscova, and Legalite Partner Marie Jansova discuss how the reforms are shaping the Czech labor market.

An in-depth look at Prokop Verner of  A&O Shearman, covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

Cechova & Partners Partner Michaela Jurkova and Ruzicka & Partners Partner and Co-Head of the Banking and Finance practice Jan Hanko discuss Slovakia’s banking sector’s modest but meaningful consolidation over the last five years.

An in-depth look at Bernhard Hager of Eversheds Sutherland, covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

Corwin Head of Legal Services Department Marek Kundrat discusses balancing legal precision with business agility, the realities of cross-border in-house work, and the shifting regulatory landscape in Slovakia’s real estate sector.

Heineken Slovakia Legal & Compliance Director and board member Martina Ondrasova discusses her career, the realities of moving in-house, building a legal team from scratch, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the GC role in Slovakia.

Dark patterns have become a common feature of digital consumer interaction. While their manipulative nature leads to unfair commercial practices, the current applicable regulatory framework and a lack of case law pose challenges to enforcing fair commercial practices by online businesses. A recent court decision in Germany gives the first clarifications by giving an interpretation of the overlaps in scope of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCP Directive).

AI is gradually becoming part of everyday HR practice in Hungary. Tools already support recruitment, onboarding, and talent and performance management. More advanced systems – like AI-powered HR assistants and workforce planning tools – can also be expected.

Romania is nearing full implementation of the NIS2 Directive, with secondary legislation expected to be enacted by the end of this summer. The legal framework is largely in place, and Romanian entities will have to begin their compliance efforts ahead of most other EU jurisdictions.