Cobalt has advised Hanza on the acquisition of the Leden Group.

Cobalt has advised Inbank on a synthetic securitization transaction involving the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.

Ellex has advised HOF Ehf on the sale of Baltic IKEA stores to Inter IKEA Group. Walless advised FE Corporation, the sellers of the Lithuanian store operator. Sorainen reportedly advised Inter IKEA Group.

Debt pushdown structures have become a prevalent strategy in Estonia for company acquisitions. However, up until now, the absence of clear regulatory guidance has left companies and their legal advisors navigating uncertain terrain, particularly concerning the tax implications. The (at the time of writing) soon-to-be-published guidance on the taxation of debt pushdowns is poised to provide much-needed clarity.

Cobalt has successfully represented Estonian environmental NGO MTU Eesti Roheline Rist on its appeal leading to the revocation of a construction permit for a planned soybean oil factory in Muuga port.

Ellex has advised on the privatization of Operail’s business operations via a sale of its business operations along with its subsidiary Operail Repairs for EUR 19 million to Tiigi Keskus, an Estonian company that won the sale auction. Sirel & Partners advised Tiigi Keskus.

Cobalt has advised the shareholders of Bauhub on its sale to Admicom's subsidiary Tocoman.

Pohla & Hallmagi has advised Baltic Maritime Logistics Group on its acquisition of a 50% shareholding in Kaarlaid from Niverto. Your Office law firm advised the sellers.

TGS Baltic and Gessel have advised Estiko-Plastar on its acquisition of Sefko. Roedl & Partner reportedly advised Sefko.

Cobalt has advised PSA on its acquisition of 50% of Parnu Sadam shares from Transcom.

TGS Baltic has successfully represented the Estonian Transport Administration in two court cases against cleaning and maintenance service provider Krausberg Eesti.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised EWE on the sale of EWE Polska and its group companies EWE Przesyl and EWE Energia to Eesti Gaas for a total value of EUR 120 million. CMS and Ellex advised Eesti Gaas.

Triniti has advised Mainor Ulemiste on its acquisition of the Technopolis Ulemiste campus in Tallinn, Estonia.

TGS Baltic has advised the metal band Horror Dance Squad on finalizing the recording and publishing contracts with the Swedish record label Icons Creating Evil Art.

Cobalt, working with Cooley, has advised Printify on its merger with Printful. Ellex, working with Latham & Watkins, advised Printful.

TGS Baltic has advised the Estonian Actors Union on drafting and negotiating a good practice agreement.

Ellex has advised Infortar on its acquisition of Tallinn Book Printers.

Presumably many of us have watched Bonanza when they were younger. Bonanza is an American Western TV series about the Wild West of the 1860s. It wasn’t an easy life – lawlessness reigned, and justice was only for the strong.However, in 2024, it’s a different story – the laws are in place and being effectively enforced. The development and use of artificial intelligence is no longer a lawless environment. Existing regulations remain in place, and now a new Artificial Intelligence Regulation has entered into force, carrying hefty fines of up to €35 million or up to 7% of a company’s global turnover. So, the answer to the question in the headline is already a pre-emptive 'no'.