CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
CMS has appointed Warsaw-based CMS Partner Malgorzata Urbanska as the firm's new Co-Head of the Global Antitrust, Competition & Trade Group alongside Partner Marquard Christen.
From 1 August 2024, the maximum fine that can be imposed by the Hungarian Competition Authority equals 15% of the undertaking’s net turnover. According to the Authority’s statement, its primary objective is not to impose fines, however, the increase in the potential financial penalty is a strong deterrent. In any case, it can be observed that the Authority is becoming more and more stringent concerning fines: while in 2023 it imposed fines totalling HUF 2.2 billion, the total amount of fines imposed this year exceeded HUF 2 billion by August.
On October 10, 2024, the Serbian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Commission) launched an investigation against four large retail chains – Delhaize Serbia, Mercator-S, Univerexport, and DIS – over possible anti-competitive practices, i.e., alleged retail price-fixing and coordination. The four major retailers account for over 50% of the Serbian retail market.
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.
Schoenherr has promoted Vienna-based Stefanie Aichhorn-Woess, Alfred Amann, Johannes Frank, Ayla Ilicali, Christoph Jirak, Sara Khalil, Sebastian Lukic, Johannes Stalzer, and Stefanie Stegbauer, Zagreb-based Kresimira Kruslin, Warsaw-based Daniel Radwanski, and Bucharest-based Nora Olah to Partner (already announced in August this year).
The Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica recently imposed a fine of EUR 806,953.09 on the telecommunications company M:tel doo Podgorica (“M:tel”) for the acquisition, by its related Serbian company, of 50% shares in the Slovenian company Arena Sport doo Ljubljana (“Arena Sport”).
On 10th October 2024, the Commission for the Protection of Competition (“Commission”) initiated an ex officio investigation proceedings for potential antitrust violation involving DELHAIZE SERBIA DRUŠTVO SA OGRANIČENOM ODGOVORNOŠĆU BEOGRAD (NOVI BEOGRAD), Mercator-S DOO BEOGRAD, UNIVEREXPORT EXPORT-IMPORT DOO, and DIS DOO KRNJEVO (“Companies”).
