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The Bank of Albania has introduced a new regulatory framework on marketing and advertising by financial institutions, significantly enhancing consumer protection and transparency in the financial sector. The changes, enacted through Decision No. 11, dated 5 February 2025, amend the Regulation “On Transparency for Banking and Financial Products and Services” and enter into force on 1 May 2025.
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.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
DSC Doralt Seist Csoklich Founding Partner Peter Csoklich has been elected president of the Vienna Bar Association, succeeding Michael Rohregger in this position.
Schoenherr has advised Perpetual Growth on its partnership with Prewave. Act Legal reportedly advised Prewave.
I still vividly remember the sunny September day when, as a young lawyer, I arrived in Prague. I was joining a US law firm that had just opened offices in the old city. Its immense beauty, at that time still unknown but immediately close to me, was captivating.
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.
Bulgaria’s energy sector has seen a wave of activity over the past year, spanning offshore oil and gas exploration, large-scale renewables, and battery storage projects, keeping CMS Sofia’s Energy, Projects, and Construction team at full speed, according to Partner Kostadin Sirleshtov. Backed by strong investor interest and a more stable regulatory environment, the sector’s upward trend looks set to continue into 2025.
Elena Stoilova-Dobreva has become a Co-Managing Partner at Tzvetkova & Partners and, as a result, the firm has changed its name to Tzvetkova, Tzvetkov & Dobreva.
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.
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.
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?
If you have received a Cease and Desist (C&D) letter, it usually means that you have violated someone else’s intellectual property rights. However, this may not necessarily be the case if you are doing business in Croatia.
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.
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?
Dentons has advised Segro European Logistics Partnership on its acquisition of a fully-leased logistics park located in Sazava, near Prague, from UDI Group.
Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Sirec Energy on its joint participation in Larissa Thermoelectric alongside Clavenia, DEPA Commercial, and Volton.
Lambadarios has advised the four systemic Greek banks Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank, and the National Bank of Greece on the EUR 1.3 billion financing of the new Northern Road Axis of Crete. Marinos Petroulias advised the developer, GEK Terna.
After a decade of economic challenges, Greece’s real estate market is thriving, fueled by a tourism boom and strong foreign investment. With property prices still below pre-crisis levels and a growing focus on sustainability, PPT Legal Partner Alexandra Mitsokali and Moussas & Partners Senior Partner Loukia Papachatzi explore the sector’s revival.
New amendments were implemented to the Hungarian Competition Act in 2024 and early 2025. Merger control proceedings increased by almost a third in 2024 compared to the previous year. The enforcement activity of the Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA) was also noteworthy, with the Hungarian watchdog imposing more fines for competition infringements than in the previous year, especially in cartel cases. In this article we explore recent legislative changes and enforcement trends, while highlighting what companies can expect for the rest of 2025.
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.
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?
Cobalt has advised Combiwood Grupp on its acquisition of Toftan from its existing shareholders Mattsbo Sag, Wigert Invest, Lars Lindgren Invest, Marnefeldt Invest, Investyno, Martin Arula, Jaanus Lehes, and Merli Randoja. Eversheds Sutherland and Vinge reportedly advised the sellers.
On June 3, 2025, Sorainen announced that ICA Gruppen's sale of Rimi Baltic Group to Salling Group (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 12, 2025) has now closed.
Cobalt has advised Hansab Group on its acquisition of a majority stake in Finnish smart lighting company C2 SmartLight.
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 the evening of April 1, 2025, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, over 200 top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms and General Counsel from across the region in Prague.
On June 3, 2025, Sorainen announced that ICA Gruppen's sale of Rimi Baltic Group to Salling Group (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 12, 2025) has now closed.
Sorainen has successfully defended Nasdaq CSD SE in a dispute brought by AS Grindeks concerning the recovery of shareholder dividends.
Latvia is seeing a rise in disputes and public infrastructure work, according to Klauberg Baltics Managing Partner Theis Klauberg. At the same time, corporate activity is slowing, as regional and global uncertainties reshape priorities for both firms and clients.
On June 3, 2025, Sorainen announced that ICA Gruppen's sale of Rimi Baltic Group to Salling Group (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 12, 2025) has now closed.
Walless has advised Vilnius City Municipality on securing European Commission approval for key amendments to the financing structure of the National Stadium project in Vilnius.
Widen has advised Enghouse Systems Group on its acquisition of Trafi.
In a progressive move towards formalising seasonal and occasional work, the Assembly of North Macedonia has adopted a groundbreaking law to regulate temporary employment across key sectors. This legislative development aims to streamline the hiring process for temporary workers while ensuring they receive essential social security benefits.
Starting from 29 May 2025 a new Energy Law starts to apply in North Macedonia. This new regulatory framework serves for transposition of the Clean Energy Package into the national legislation and introducing major novelties, such as new development process for energy generation and storage capacities, integration of e-mobility to the electricity grid, additional possibilities for development of natural gas and heating networks, etc.
On 14 May 2025, significant changes were made to North Macedonia’s personal data protection legislation. The Assembly of the Republic passed an amendment to expand the nations where personal data can be shared freely, without facing third-country transfer restrictions.
On 22 April 2025, Law No. 66/2025 on combating delayed performance of payment obligations in contracts between professionals or between professionals and public authorities was published ("Law No. 66").
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.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
PPPs represent a long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors, enabling more efficient construction, maintenance, and management of infrastructure, with an optimal distribution of risks and financial obligations.
The Draft Law on Mediation in the Sale and Lease of Real Estate, following public consultation in the summer of 2023, is expected to be submitted to Parliament for adoption shortly.
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.
Greenberg Traurig has advised VeloBank, its holding company, and its shareholders, including funds affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, on the acquisition of Bank Handlowy w Warszawie's consumer business in Poland from Citibank Europe and BHW. Rymarz Zdort Maruta advised BHW. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advised Cerberus Capital Management. Clifford Chance reportedly advised Citibank.
Former Vodeno General Counsel Przemyslaw Karolak has joined Aion Bank as its new Deputy Head of Legal.
White & Case has advised XX ZW Investment Group on the sale of over 9.4 million shares in XTB via an accelerated book-building process.
Wolf Theiss has advised Erste Group Bank and Banca Comerciala Romana on the EUR 21 million financing facility extended to Danube Capital Partners for the Day Tower office building in Bucharest. Stratulat Albuescu advised Danube Capital Partners.
Stratulat Albulescu and Paksoy, working with Latham & Watkins, have advised Protective Industrial Products on the acquisition of Honeywell’s personal protective equipment business. EY Legal Romania and Simmons & Simmons reportedly advised the sellers.
Filip & Company, working with lead counsel Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, has advised Apax Partners on its proposed acquisition of Finastra’s Treasury and Capital Markets division.
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.
BDK Advokati, working alongside Kvale, has advised Norway-based Entec Evotec on its acquisition of Fortaco Gruza. Advokatfirmaet Selmer reportedly advised the sellers.
Sibincic, Novak & Partners and Doklestic, Repic & Gajin have advised Intersport ISI on its exit from the Serbian market via the sale of its stores to N Sport. Mrakovic, Markovic & Partners advised N Sport.
On 22 May 2025, the Republic of Serbia was officially included within the geographical scope of the Single Euro Payments Area (“SEPA”) payment schemes, becoming its 41st member.
According to a preliminary legislative notice issued by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic and published on 15 May 2025, the Ministry is preparing a draft law on pay transparency.
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?
Permitting of any projects is a long-standing problem in the Slovak Republic. It seemed that this problem would largely be solved by the new construction legislation that was approved in 2022 and was supposed to enter into force fully on April 1, 2024.
Sibincic, Novak & Partners and Doklestic, Repic & Gajin have advised Intersport ISI on its exit from the Serbian market via the sale of its stores to N Sport. Mrakovic, Markovic & Partners advised N Sport.
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is currently witnessing a substantial increase in the development of Class A office spaces. Over the next three years, the city is set to introduce more than 100,000 square meters of new Class A office spaces. These developments are characterized by modern designs and a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to achieve energy certifications that are crucial for ESG compliance.
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.
Former Akol Partner Tugce Tatari has joined Abdi Ibrahim Pharmaceuticals as its new Legal Director.
Stratulat Albulescu and Paksoy, working with Latham & Watkins, have advised Protective Industrial Products on the acquisition of Honeywell’s personal protective equipment business. EY Legal Romania and Simmons & Simmons reportedly advised the sellers.
Former Merzigo Senior Vice President Ceyda Sila Cetinkaya has become the company's new Chief Operating Officer.
On 14 May 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Law No. 4434-IX, amending paragraph 19 of the “Final and Transitional Provisions” of the Civil Code of Ukraine regarding the resumption of the statute of limitations.
On 2 May 2025, the Law of Ukraine No. 4339-IX “On Amendments to the Labour Code of Ukraine on Improving the Legal Regulation of Certain Issues of Home and Remote Work” (the “Law”) came into force. The Law is aimed at regulating issues related to sending home-based and remote employees on business trips and creating favourable conditions for parents whose children are studying remotely.
Sayenko Kharenko has successfully represented PJSC MMKI and LLC Unisteel – both part of the Metinvest Group – in the review of anti-dumping measures concerning imports into Ukraine of certain rolled products with corrosion-resistant coating originating in the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.