CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
In Montenegro the Law on Amendments to the Law on Copyright and Related Rights came into force and it aims to harmonize Montenegrin legislation with EU legislative, particularly in the part that facilitates broad access to copyrighted works by enabling the sharing of online content through various platforms.
Stankovic & Partners has advised SuperPadel Alliance on a partnership agreement with the Croatian Padel Federation and the Diagonal Padel Pro Academy in Madrid.
Wolf Theiss has advised GreyLion Partners on its equity investment in Birdseye Security Solutions. Lazarevic & Prsic advised Birdseye Security Solutions.
On October 16, the Ministry of Finance published draft amendments of, as many as, 7 laws in the field of taxation, with an invitation to interested parties to submit comments, suggestions and objections to the published drafts by October 23. In addition to tax laws, drafts and amendments to the Law on Public Property and the Law on Republic Administrative Fees were published.
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”).
PS Legal has opened for business in Belgrade with Partners Aleksandra Stojanovic and Milos Pandzic as its founders.
Serbia's recent economic growth is driven by foreign direct investment, infrastructure projects, and advancements in several sectors according to Gecic Law Partner Miodrag Jevtic.
CMS, working with Norton Rose Fulbright, has advised UGT Renewables on a partnership agreement with Serbia's state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije and the Ministry of Mining and Energy for the development and construction of new solar power plants and battery storage facilities in Serbia. Akin Gump reportedly advised the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
AI is increasingly revolutionizing the way businesses handle recruitment, hiring, management and employee monitoring etc. AI solutions are already adept at personalizing employee experiences, such as benefits and training, streamlining HR processes throughout the employment lifecycle, boosting efficiency and significantly reducing administrative burdens. Additionally, AI provides critical workforce insights, facilitating data-driven decision-making and management. However, these advancements also bring potential risks related to discrimination, protection of privacy, and other fundamental rights that employers must carefully manage.
The Law on Management of Companies Owned by the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter: the Law) came into force on 16 September 2024 in full. This Law was adopted in accordance with the recommendations that the Republic of Serbia received from the International Monetary Fund in order to corporatization, improve management and change the legal form of enterprises in the Republic of Serbia.
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.
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/
