CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
The Government of the Republic of Serbia has proposed amendments to the Law on Public Notaries ("Official Gazette of RS", no. 31/2011, 85/2012, 19/2013, 55/2014 - other law, 93/2014 - other law, 121/ 2014, 6/2015 and 106/2015) with the purpose of introducing the obligation to solemnize monetary loan agreements between natural persons in the amount of EUR 10,000 and higher.
On 19 September 2024, BDK Advokati celebrated 20 years since its establishment. BDK Advokati Managing Partner Tijana Kojovic and Senior Partner and Head of the Montenegrin office Luka Popovic reflect on this milestone and discuss the journey of the firm, its evolution, achievements, and aspirations for the future.
In October 2024, Karanovic & Partners announced that BIG CEE's acquisition of Promenada Novi Sad from NE Property (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on July 15, 2024) has now closed.
Kinstellar has advised A1 Srbija on the acquisition of a greenfield site in Serbia.
Karanovic & Partners has advised AMD on opening an engineering design center in Serbia.
Former Schoenherr Partner Jelena Arsic has joined MaxBet in Serbia as its new Chief Legal and Risk Officer.
At the end of last year, the Ministry of Finance announced the improvement of the Electronic Invoicing System (known as SEF), which will consist of various modules. Certainly, the most significant module will still be the E-Invoice, which has already been in use by business entities since January 1, 2023. Along with it, new modules such as the E-Delivery note, E-Excise, and E-Customs will also be integrated.
NKO Partners has advised Igepa Cartacell and Deus System on their merger. The new entity will operate under the name Igepa Deus.
The Social and Economic Council of the Republic of Serbia passed the Decision on the amount of the minimum salary for the year 2025. The Decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 74/2024 on September 4, 2024.
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.
AI is developing rapidly in Serbia and numerous initiatives are emerging daily. Therefore, a working group, which includes our Schoenherr expert Marija Vlajković, is already in the process of drafting a new Law on Artificial Intelligence. The final draft is expected by spring 2025.
In the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia no. 71, dated August 16, 2024, a new Rulebook on Tax Exemption on Capital Gains Realized from the Transfer of Copyright, Related Rights, and Industrial Property Rights (“Rulebook“) was published.
Serbia is quickly becoming a favored destination for foreign couples seeking marriage and new opportunities according to Stojkovic Attorneys Head of Labor and Immigration Mina Radojevic Vlacic.
Cvjeticanin & Partners has advised Tetra Pak Serbia on the development and implementation of the Eco Challenge award contest.
In a crucial legal victory for the European Commission, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has upheld the Commission’s decision that Apple must repay up to €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland. This ruling, issued in September 2024, reaffirms the Commission’s original 2016 judgment, marking a significant step in the European Union‘s effort to crack down on favorable tax arrangements for multinational corporations.
Under which circumstances are controllers and processors not required to maintain records of personal data processing activities? The Personal Data Protection Law, modeled on the GDPR, sets out exceptions to the obligation for organizations with fewer than 250 employees to keep processing records. While this acknowledges the characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring they are not unnecessarily burdened with additional costs, the number of employees is not the sole criterion for exemption from the record-keeping obligation.
Gecic Law has appointed Miodrag Jevtic to Partner.
Contributed by JPM & Partners.
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/
