Eversheds Sutherland has advised Accession Capital Partners on the financing for Agrova International's acquisition of Sunrise Eggs. Higgs reportedly advised Agrova International. Gateley reportedly advised the sellers.

Zivkovic Samardzic has advised Yuhor on its acquisition of Food Star Plus.

Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners, in cooperation with Schoenherr, has advised MK Group on the acquisition of Dijamant from Fortenova grupa.

CMS has advised on the completion and commissioning of the final stage of the Aratiden renewable energy project in Bulgaria, comprising a 130-megawatt-peak photovoltaic power plant and an 81-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.

Baker McKenzie has advised Kingspan Group on securing a recommendation from Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture for state support under the Law “On State Support for Investment Projects with Significant Investments.”

The amendments to the Act on the Code of Administrative Court Procedure (“Kp.” in Hungarian), applicable as of 31 December 2025, primarily seek to improve the efficiency of administrative litigation, address dilatory litigation practices, and accelerate the proceedings of the Curia of Hungary.

Wolf Theiss has advised Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederoesterreich-Wien on its green bond issuance of EUR 500 million in 3.375% Callable Fixed to Floating Rate Green Ordinary Senior Eligible Notes due 2032. Hogan Lovells reportedly advised the international banking consortium working on the issuance.

Norton Rose Fulbright has advised PKO Bank Polski and Bank Millennium on the PLN 262 million financing construction of two neighbouring photovoltaic installations with a combined capacity of up to 100-megawatt-peak, located in Grabno, Poland. Clifford Chance advised sponsor Afcon Renewable Energy.

Clifford Chance has advised Alternatifbank on the issuance of USD 200 million Perpetual Fixed Rate Resettable Additional Tier 1 Notes. HSF reportedly advised the joint lead managers.

DLA Piper has advised ASTA Energy Solutions on its initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Schoenherr, working with Linklaters, advised the banks involved.

Wolf Theiss has advised Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederoesterreich-Wien on its green bond issuance of EUR 500 million in 3.375% Callable Fixed to Floating Rate Green Ordinary Senior Eligible Notes due 2032. Hogan Lovells reportedly advised the international banking consortium working on the issuance.

Clifford Chance has advised Alternatifbank on the issuance of USD 200 million Perpetual Fixed Rate Resettable Additional Tier 1 Notes. HSF reportedly advised the joint lead managers.

Polish law firm Instytut Prawa Konkurencji lawyers Monika Bychowska, Maria Mrowka, and Elzbieta Witkowska-Grochowalska have joined Gessel.

Ilyashev & Partners has advised Hyundai Motor Europe on Ukrainian competition law aspects related to the implementation of a new distribution model in Ukraine.

Bulent Gokdemir has joined CoPartners as a Partner.

Law No. 96/2025 “On whistleblowing and the protection of whistleblowers” (Law No. 96/2025) establishes a new and consolidated framework for the reporting of violations and the protection of whistleblowers, in both the public and private sectors.

Bulgaria has adopted a fully redesigned collective redress and representative action framework, implementing Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and modifying both the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Civil Procedure Code (CPC).

In recent months, Polish employment law has undergone extensive reform, with several legislative amendments and new regulatory obligations entering into force across key areas of workforce management.

As of 1 January 2026, Bulgaria adopted the euro as its official currency. All Bulgarian companies are required to update their corporate documents to reflect their share capital and the nominal value per share in EUR by 31 December 2026.

Wolf Theiss has advised DCC on the acquisition of UGI International's Flaga-branded liquid gas businesses in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, which together serve approximately 12,000 customers.

Selih & Partnerji has advised Datatec Group subsidiary Westcon-Comstor on the acquisition of REAL Security. Kirm Perpar advised REAL Security.

Wolf Theiss has advised DCC on the acquisition of UGI International's Flaga-branded liquid gas businesses in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, which together serve approximately 12,000 customers.

DLA Piper has advised ASTA Energy Solutions on its initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Schoenherr, working with Linklaters, advised the banks involved.

Norton Rose Fulbright has advised PKO Bank Polski and Bank Millennium on the PLN 262 million financing construction of two neighbouring photovoltaic installations with a combined capacity of up to 100-megawatt-peak, located in Grabno, Poland. Clifford Chance advised sponsor Afcon Renewable Energy.

Asters has been providing pro bono legal support for UAnimals, including advocacy for animal rights, the development of legislative initiatives, and the provision of legal protection.

Musat & Asociatii has won an appeal before the High Court of Cassation and Justice against a prior decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal, allowing the retrial of the review application in the case concerning the torturers of Romanian anti-communist dissident Gheorghe Ursu.

Ellex has offered pro bono representation in a same-sex parenthood case before the national courts in Lithuania, resulting in the first-ever recognition of same-sex parents.

A single missing file. That is all it takes for an otherwise complete and competitive bid to be rejected in a public procurement procedure. No analysis, no checks, no clarifications. Between «Upload» and «Submit», a missing file, due to human error or, worse, not attributable to the bidder, can cost the rejection of the bid, apparently without any “loophole” for rescue clause.

On 7 January 2026, an online portal for submitting investment projects to the United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund officially opened. The launch marks the Fund’s move into the operational phase and the start of its active investment activities.

Ukraine’s legal landscape in 2025 witnessed several notable reforms that significantly improved the investment climate—from structural frameworks, like public-private partnerships and concessions, to economic liberalization and sector-specific incentives. Those considering long-term projects in Ukraine should take note of the reforms made in 2025 and also monitor the various initiatives currently underway that could have an effect on the investment environment in 2026.

Avellum, working with White & Case, has advised the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine on the restructuring of Ukraine's GDP-linked warrants, resulting in the full retirement of this instrument.

Koutalidis has advised Alpha Bank Group on the reorganization of Alpha Leasing Single Member Societe Anonyme. As part of the transaction, a selected perimeter of primarily non-performing financial leases, together with related real estate interests, with a gross book value of approximately EUR 0.24 billion, was transferred to Hellas Capital Leasing. Zepos & Yannopoulos advised Hellas Capital Leasing.

BBH has promoted Jan Kadrnozka to Partner.

Binder Groesswang has promoted Johannes Bammer and Felix Fuith to Partner in a promotion round that also saw five other lawyers promoted to Counsel.

Effective 1 February 2026, Emergency Ordinance No. 91/2025 introduces a material change to the medical leave indemnity regime in Romania: the first day of medical leave will not be compensated. Under the previous framework, employers covered the first five days of medical leave indemnity. Going forward, only days 2–6 will be paid by the employer. This temporary measure is in effect until 31 December 2027 and warrants careful consideration from both an employment law and payroll reporting perspective.

In recent months, Polish employment law has undergone extensive reform, with several legislative amendments and new regulatory obligations entering into force across key areas of workforce management.

With the adoption of the Law on Healthcare in August 2025, the legal framework for the implementation of a comprehensive reform of the Montenegrin healthcare system through harmonization with modern standards and the legal acquis of the European Union was set. A further step in this direction is represented by the proposed amendments to this law, which, together with the Law on Data Management and Digital Health, are also in the proposal stage, and are part of a wider process of digital transformation of the healthcare system, while at the same time strengthening the protection of patient data and standardization of healthcare records.

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.

Gessel has advised CenterMed on the acquisition of the Avimed Group.

Luminita Popa has joined Eversheds Sutherland as a Partner.

Sorainen has advised Milrem Robotics on the resolution of a commercial dispute, enabling the company to avoid litigation and maintain uninterrupted production.

Reforms that were supposed to increase predictability and foreseeability of court decisions have instead created an environment with a significant number of contradictory conclusions and deviations in the practice of the Supreme Court. Formal cassation filters, vague criteria for determining legal conclusions and the lack of a procedural tool for their coordination complicate the work of both lawyers and lower court judges. Improvements in the administration of justice can be achieved, in particular, by amending the current procedural rules.

Pohla & Hallmagi has advised Baltic Sea Bunkering on the sale of Paldiski North Harbour to PNP Investment Management. Palladium reportedly advised the buyers.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised ICBC, Dubai Aerospace, and Orix Aviation on the sale and lease novation of two aircraft, an Airbus A320 and an Airbus A321, registered in Greece and leased to a Greek operator. 

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.

Pohla & Hallmagi, working with Wikborg Rein, has advised Marine Energy Solutions on its acquisition of the PRIME oil tanker. Reed Smith reportedly advised the unidentified sellers.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos announced that the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund's sale of a 67% stake in the Heraklion Port Authority to a consortium consisting of Grimaldi Euromed and Minoan Lines (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on January 11, 2024) closed on September 18, 2024.

PeliPartners has advised Bogdan Idu and his group companies on the sale of an LPG maritime terminal in Romania to Nawaf Salameh Family Office Group.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised Accession Capital Partners on the financing for Agrova International's acquisition of Sunrise Eggs. Higgs reportedly advised Agrova International. Gateley reportedly advised the sellers.

Ellex has advised Tera Ventures, Ubiquitous Ventures, Sentosa Capital, and other shareholders on the sale of Defendec Holding and its subsidiaries in Estonia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to Vosker. Cobalt advised Vosker.

Brandl Talos has advised the founders and majority shareholders of Hakom Time Series Thomas Hasleder and Stefan Komornyik on the sale of the company to Volue. Herbst Kinsky, working with Hogan Lovells, advised Value.

Wardynski & Partners has successfully represented the Vet-Alert Foundation for Protection of Animals in proceedings before the Supreme Administrative Court.

Asters has been providing pro bono legal support for UAnimals, including advocacy for animal rights, the development of legislative initiatives, and the provision of legal protection.

Integrites has advised the family of a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman killed in action on obtaining a one-time state compensation of UAH 15 million. 

Gide has advised Hines on the sale of the Wola Center office complex in Warsaw to Trigea Real Estate Fund. CMS advised Trigea Real Estate Fund.

CMS has advised a syndicate of banks, including Erste Group Bank, Banca Comerciala Romana, Raiffeisen Bank International, and Raiffeisen Bank on the EUR 305 million refinancing of the Palas Iasi mixed-use portfolio.

MMD Advokati has advised Hungarian real estate group Kesz Holding on the sale of its Serbian subsidiary Kesz Properties, to Nova Vizantija. Sole practitioner Tijana Komazec reportedly advised Nova Vizantija.

Jalsovszky has promoted Peter Barta to Partner and Head of the firm's Tax Litigation and Economic Crimes team. 

In November 2025, the Hungarian Parliament adopted an act introducing further amendments to the legal framework governing international tax cooperation and transparency.

On the last day of 2025, the Parliament of Montenegro voted for the amendments to the Foreigners Act which entered into force on 17 January 2026. Implementing regulations have to be enacted within further 12 months.

Selih & Partnerji has advised Datatec Group subsidiary Westcon-Comstor on the acquisition of REAL Security. Kirm Perpar advised REAL Security.

Taylor Wessing has advised CIG Pannonia Eletbiztosito and its subsidiary CIG Pannonia Elso Magyar Altalanos Biztosito on a series of insurance portfolio transfer transactions. Oppenheim advised Europ Assistance Irish Branch – one of the counterparties.

Aksan has advised Castles Technology on its acquisition of a majority stake in MT Bilgi Teknolojileri.

Jalsovszky has promoted Peter Barta to Partner and Head of the firm's Tax Litigation and Economic Crimes team. 

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.

Sorainen has successfully represented Attorney at Law Kullike Namm in a criminal case before the Supreme Court of Estonia, resulting in a full acquittal of all charges.