CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
On 9 October 2025, after the eight special licenses issued by OFAC to NIS AD Novi Sad (NIS) and JANAF, the US sanctions against the Serbian oil company NIS in the majority ownership of Russian Gazprom Group have started to fully apply.
In today’s business environment, where a product’s visual identity often plays a key role in consumer decisions, the protection of industrial design is becoming an increasingly important aspect of intellectual property. Although often overshadowed by patents or trademarks, industrial design is a legal mechanism that allows rights holders to protect the unique appearance of their products, thereby gaining a significant competitive advantage.
Gecic Law, working with CMS, has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Enterprise Expansion Fund II on a EUR 9.1 million loan to Meter & Control. Perovic Law reportedly advised Meter & Control.
Following the successful 2025 Hungarian General Counsel Summit in Budapest, on October 21, 2025, CEE Legal Matters brought the Balkan General Counsel Summit to Belgrade, gathering leading in-house counsel and legal professionals from across the region.
Understanding of the terms in their semantic and teleological context is a precondition for the correct application of regulations. The challenge in understanding the terms is even more significant in cases of specific terms in various industries.
BDK Advokati has advised Volcano Bet on its acquisition of IN Export Krusevac.
Former Unguran & Micanovic Partner Marko Micanovic has joined Stankovic & Partners as Partner.
NKO Partners has advised MOL on the expansion of one of its Serbian fuel terminals in Sremski Karlovci, near Novi Sad via the acquisition of land from Dunav Oil and a construction and development arrangement with Naftachem for the extension works.
The Serbian Ministry of Finance initiated on 1 October the public consultation on (i) Law on the Tax on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions; and (ii) Law on the Tax on Import of Carbon-Intensive Products (the Laws). The public consultation will last for 20 days, and the Laws are expected to apply as of 1 January 2026. Below is a short overview of the main provisions of these Laws:
Serbia is taking steps to curb illegal construction and boost corporate transparency, aiming to simplify property legalization and tighten oversight of company ownership, according to Injac Attorneys Managing Partner Nemanja Injac.
Harrisons, working with Bird & Bird, has advised EBRD on its EUR 40 million sustainability-linked loan agreement with MK Group companies Sunal and PP Erdevik.
Vulic Law has advised the majority shareholders from Greece, the Petris family, on the sale of their stake in IN Hotel to DNZ Neskovic.
Serbia has taken a decisive step toward strengthening corporate transparency and aligning with international standards in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. The recently adopted Central Records of Ultimate Beneficial Owners Act (“UBO Act”) has become applicable as of October 1, 2025 introducing a range of new obligations for companies and other registered entities.
With preparations for the 2025 CEE Legal Matters Balkan General Counsel Summit in full swing, Zivko Mijatovic & Partners Of Counsel Vladimir Marenovic shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to the most.
In a situation where a creditor of a company subject to bankruptcy proceedings also has a debt towards the bankrupt debtor, the question arises whether their mutual claims may be set off in bankruptcy proceedings.
As of 1 October 2025, the new Law on the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (“Official Gazette of the RS”, Nos. 19/2025, 51/2025, and 60/2025 – correction; hereinafter: the “New Law”) shall enter into force and introduce significant changes for all registered entities in the Republic of Serbia.
With preparations for the 2025 CEE Legal Matters Balkan General Counsel Summit in full swing, Djordje Djokic, Senior Partner at Djokic + Partners, shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to the most.
Inconsistency in judicial practice, as well as inconsistency with the opinions of the competent ministry, are not new when it comes to labour law.
SOG in cooperation with Kinstellar is a full-service business law firm in Serbia that provides foreign and domestic clients with premium-quality legal advice and assistance across a wide range of key areas of corporate law. The firm was founded in 2015 by a group of seasoned, internationally-trained lawyers. SOG has developed a distinctively dynamic culture, bringing together top talent, fostering entrepreneurship, and maintaining exceptional relationships with its clients.
SOG has achieved consistent growth in the volume of its business, accompanied by an exponential increase in the number of hired associate lawyers and the firm’s network of business contacts. SOG has a robust client base of multinationals, investment and private equity firms, and financial institutions. Clients praise SOG for being commercially minded, very responsive and knowledgeable.
Establishing permanent cooperation with Kinstellar is part of realising SOG's long-term development strategy to be the leading provider of legal services in the Western Balkans market.
Firm's website: https://www.kinstellar.com/
