Kinstellar to continue the operation of Noerr’s CEE practice
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Kristóf Ferenczi is appointed Firm Managing Partner of Kinstellar

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Insights July 2024

Romania strengthens screening of EU investments

Further to the December 2023 amendments to the Romanian regime for screening inbound direct investments (that we previously covered here), which formally included EU investors within the scope of screening, the Romanian Parliament has adopted a new law (the “New Law”) to further strengthen the approach towards EU investors. The New Law explicitly extends to EU investors the sanctions regime previously applicable to non-EU investors. Gun jumping will be treated in the same manner regardless of the investor’s nationality, with potential sanctions of up to 10% of worldwide turnover applicable to EU and non-EU investors alike. This was not an oversight in the December 2023 amendments, but rather the government’s preferred

Deals July 2024

Kinstellar and KST Law advise Grupo Antolin on the sale of a stake in the Turkish joint venture Ototrim

Kinstellar and KST Law* are proud to have advised Grupo Antolin, a leading global car interior manufacturer, on the sale of 45% stake in the Turkish joint venture Ototrim to its JV partner Diniz Holding. Following this transaction, Antolin will retain a 5% stake in the joint venture and continue its collaboration with Diniz Holding. The transaction is pending approval from the Turkish Competition Authority. The team was led by Partner Mert Elçin, with support from Associates Sila Özge Sayli and Osman Tugberk Çakirca. *Kinstellar operates in Turkey in cooperation with KST LAW, an Istanbul-based full service corporate law firm. 

Deals July 2024

Kinstellar advises on the green loan financing for CPI Property Group in the Czech Republic

Kinstellar has successfully advised ČSOB on the financing of a portfolio of rooftop solar power plants for CPI Property Group in the Czech Republic through a green loan. The transition to an ecological, low-carbon economy is an essential step for our continued operations. Green financing drives changes towards a sustainable future by supporting projects, initiatives, and technologies that positively impact the environment. The current construction of the solar power plants portfolio is one such example in which Kinstellar has played a key advisory role for the ČSOB group. CPI Property Group is a leading European real estate owner with over thirty years of history. In the Czech Republic, it is the largest owner of

Deals July 2024

Kinstellar advises Agrotex majority shareholders on the sale of a significant stake to Promat Comimpex

Kinstellar is proud to have advised the majority shareholders of Agrotex (one of the most important suppliers of cereals and agricultural inputs on the local market) on the sale of a significant stake to Promat Comimpex, a renowned agriculture player now controlled by the Ameropa Group. The deal will complete after the necessary consents and approvals have been obtained. Our assistance on this mandate was coordinated by Zsuzsa Csiki (Partner, Head of Corporate M&A in Romania) together with Mădălina Perte (Managing Associate) and involved a very talented and resilient team: Claudia Popescu (Special Counsel) and Ioana Popescu (Associate). Kinstellar Romania has emerged as a premier legal advisor in

News July 2024

Kinstellar announces New Office Managing Partners in Bratislava and Prague, Adam Hodoň appointed as COO

Kinstellar is delighted to announce the appointment of new managing partners for our Bratislava and Prague offices, and of a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective 1 July 2024. Viliam Myšička is the new Managing Partner of the Bratislava Office, succeeding Adam Hodoň. Adam has been appointed as the Firm’s COO. Viliam has been with Kinstellar since its inception and was previously with Linklaters. He leads the M&A service line in Slovakia and serves as the head of the firm-wide Restructuring & Insolvency service line, as well as the co-head of the firm-wide Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) sector.  Viliam brings nearly 20 years of professional experience, advising clients across a wide range

Insights July 2024

Expanding opportunities for retail investors in Kazakhstan: AIFC's influence on the new legislative framework

According to the official website of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market is working on a new legislative proposal with the goal of broadening the participation of retail investors in collective investment schemes (the "CIS") across Kazakhstan. Currently, the CIS retail business is mainly possible within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). While this could be seen as competition with the AIFC, in the long term, the adoption of such a law will help create a solid platform for the development of funds not only within the AIFC but also throughout Kazakhstan. In these proposed innovations, we see the influence of the flexible

Insights July 2024

Individuals are advised to check their personal online tax accounts for real property tax liability

In Ukraine, individuals are obliged to pay the respective real estate tax upon receiving a notification-decision from the tax authorities, which should arrive by July 1. Even if such a decision is not received by this date, the tax authorities still have a three-year period within which valid payment notifications can be sent. The tax authority regularly updates its tax database, so the safest way to check one’s tax liability is to use a personal online tax account on the official website of the tax authority. The attached alert outlines the key points regarding the payment of real estate tax for individuals, namely who must pay the tax, in what amount, within what time frame, etc. Please read below our overview in English

Insights June 2024

Minority shareholder protection in the AIFC, Kazakhstan

In private companies limited by shares, the most popular form of company established in the Astana International Financial Center ("AIFC") shareholders range from those with majority ownership stakes (i.e. greater than 50%) to those with smaller holdings. The latter, known as minority shareholders, often face challenges due to their limited ability to influence business decisions. Our expertise lies in safeguarding the rights of minority shareholders, offering advice on protection strategies and negotiation tactics to ensure fair outcomes in disputes involving misconduct by directors or controlling shareholders. After five years of closely monitoring the AIFC legislation and practicing corporate law within the AIFC, we believe

Deals June 2024

Kinstellar has successfully advised Edwards Lifesciences in the area of data protection

Kinstellar has recently provided expert legal advice to Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader in medical innovations for heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring, through a secondment arrangement, focusing on data protection. This collaboration ensured that Edwards Lifesciences navigated complex data protection regulations effectively, safeguarding their business interests and maintaining compliance with applicable laws. The expert legal advice was provided by Simona Semanová, with further support from our Kinstellar team in Prague led by Tomáš Čihula and Petr Bratský.

About us

Kinstellar acts as trusted legal counsel to leading investors across Emerging Europe and Central Asia. Our reputation for quality, excellence and integrity speaks for itself.

With offices in eleven jurisdictions and over 300 local and international lawyers, we deliver consistent, joined-up legal advice and assistance across diverse regional markets – together with the know-how and experience to champion your interests while minimising exposure to risk.

Our clients include leading international and regional corporations, banks and other financial institutions, state bodies, multi-lateral institutions, and international law firms with clients that require top-quality legal counsel in our jurisdictions. We handle the most important and complex assignments for clients across diverse industries and business sectors.

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*2022 rankings in core practice areas in international legal directories (Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, IFLR1000)

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With expert local knowledge and a track record at the international level, our lawyers provide top-tier advice and client service in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

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Newsfeed

🇹🇷 🚗 Kinstellar and KST Law are proud to have advised Grupo Antolin, a leading global #car interior manufacturer, on the #sale of 45% stake in the #Turkish joint venture Ototrim to its JV partner Diniz Holding. 🤝 Following this transaction, Antolin will retain a 5% stake in the joint venture and continue its collaboration with Diniz Holding. The transaction is pending approval from the Turkish Competition Authority. 🌟 Our team was led by Partner Mert Elcin, with support from Associates Sıla Özge Şaylı and Osman Tuğberk Çakırca. 🏢 Kinstellar operates in Turkey in cooperation with KST Law, an #Istanbul-based full service #corporate law firm.  🔗 https://lnkd.in/duVnPt-i #donedeals #MergersAndAcquisitions #JointVenture #LegalAdvisory #AutomotiveIndustry #AutomotiveSector #AutomotiveInterior #CorporateLaw #BusinessDeal #InternationalBusiness #TurkishMarket #GlobalBusiness #LawFirm #KSTLaw #Kinstellar #BusinessStrategy #LegalExcellence

📢  🇨🇿 Kinstellar has successfully advised CSOB on the financing of a portfolio of rooftop solar power plants for CPI Property Group in the Czech Republic through a green loan 🍀. 💡 The planned construction of the solar power plants, with a total installed capacity of 17.43 MWp, will cover a significant portion of CPIPG's energy consumption. The construction will be financed through a green loan. More details below👇🏻. 🌟The Kinstellar team was led by Klara Stepankova (with respect to real estate matters) and Václav Kment (with respect to financing), supported by Dominik ČtvrtníčekMichal ForýtekArťom GnědinMatěj Večeřa and Paul Válka. #greenloan #donedeals #exceptionaltogether #leadinglawyers 🔗https://lnkd.in/eRYafx7Y

📢 🇷🇴 Kinstellar #Romania is proud of having advised the majority shareholders of Agrotex (one of the most important suppliers of #cereals and #agricultural inputs on the local market) on the #sale of a significant stake to Promat Comimpex, a renowned #agriculture player now controlled by the Ameropa Group. 🤝 The #deal will complete after the necessary consents and approvals have been obtained. 🙌 Our assistance on this mandate was coordinated by Zsuzsa Csiki (Partner, Head of #Corporate M&A in #Romania) together with Madalina Perte (Managing Associate) and involved a very talented and resilient team: Claudia Popescu (Special Counsel) and Ioana Alexandra Popescu (Associate). 🥇 Our office in Romania has emerged as a premier #legal advisor in the #agribusiness sector. 🌾 Our exceptional offering combines sector-specific #knowledge, #transactional experience, and #commercial expertise, enabling us to handle landmark #transactions effectively and with high proficiency. ✨ Our dedicated #team has guided #international companies and local #entrepreneurs through a wide range of transactions in this field, including market entry, joint ventures, private equity deals, business transfers, restructurings, and day-to-day matters, as the case may be. 🔝 We continue to advise on some of the largest and most significant transactions in the agribusiness sector – two other deals currently in progress (fingers crossed for a smooth ride 🤞), while tackling several other very exciting transactions with a strong and professional team whose focus is aligned with the client’s interest ⭐. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dNkWF4zR #donedeals #exceptionaltogether #agribusinessdeal #agrisector #leadinglawyersRomania

📢 🇨🇿 Check out this article in Forbes featuring Jan Juroska, our new Managing Partner at the Kinstellar Prague office. With the transfer of Noerr’s practices in the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia to Kinstellar, Jan will be at the helm, guiding our strategic integration and enhancing our services in the Czech Republic. 🌍💼 We are confident that under his leadership, the Kinstellar Prague office will achieve new heights. 🚀🤝 Read more about this exciting development in Forbes: https://lnkd.in/eWqXrVHe #Kinstellar #Leadership #JanJuroška #LawFirm #Acquisition #DACHRegion #LegalServices #Growth #Forbes

🇰🇿 Expanding opportunities for retail investors in #Kazakhstan: AIFC's influence on the new #legislative framework 🚀 📰 According to the official website of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market is working on a new #legislative proposal with the goal of broadening the participation of retail investors in collective investment schemes (CIS) across Kazakhstan. 👉 Currently, the CIS retail business is mainly possible within the Astana International Financial Centre (#AIFC). While this could be seen as competition with the AIFC, in the long term, the adoption of such a law will help create a solid platform for the #development of funds not only within the #AIFC but also throughout Kazakhstan. 💡 In these proposed innovations, we see the influence of the flexible regime for collective #investments existing in the AIFC. It's evident that the current regime in Kazakhstan is not as flexible, and therefore, the introduction of these innovations (as mentioned on the Government's website) is a positive step forward. Investors may still choose the AIFC due to various existing tax incentives there. However, these innovations could potentially open doors for investors within Kazakhstan, generally, as well. 🔎 Read more in our article below, by Joel B. Benjamin, Managing Partner of our Central Asia practice, and Kuanysh Shekerbekov, Counsel. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dc2xdQNS #intheknow #CentralAsia #Legislation #KazakhstanLegislation #InvestInKazakhstan #DoingBusinessInKazakhstan

📢 🎉 Kinstellar is delighted to announce the #appointment of new managing partners for our #Bratislava and #Prague offices, and of a new Chief Operating Officer (#COO) effective 1 July 2024. 🌟 🇸🇰 Viliam Mysicka is the new Managing Partner of our Bratislava office. Viliam has been with Kinstellar since its inception and was previously with Linklaters. He leads the M&A service line in #Slovakia and serves as the head of the firm-wide #Restructuring & #Insolvency service line, as well as the co-head of the firm-wide Technology, Media & Telecommunications (#TMT) sector. Viliam brings nearly 20 years of professional experience, advising clients across a wide range of sectors on M&A, #corporate, restructuring & insolvency, technology, and real estate matters. 🌟 🇨🇿 Jan Juroska takes up the role of Managing Partner of the #Prague office. Jan began his career as a Junior Associate at Linklaters 18 years ago and has been with Kinstellar since its launch in 2008. He also serves as a member of the Firm Management Committee and the co-head of the firm-wide #Corporate M&A Service Line. Jan has over 20 years of experience advising leading international corporations and private equity funds on all aspects of corporate law, in particular M&A, private equity and corporate finance. He has worked on many of the firm’s headline deals for its most high-profile clients. 🌟 Adam Hodon is appointed as Kinstellar’s Chief Operating Officer. Adam has been with Kinstellar since its launch in 2008 and previously with Linklaters. Before joining Linklaters in 2001, he started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was the Managing Partner of the Bratislava office, which he led successfully for nine years. In his new role, Adam will lead, coordinate, and provide leadership to the Business Services organisation and teams across Kinstellar. He will work closely with and provide strategic advice to Kristóf Ferenczi, the Firm Managing Partner. 💬 Ferenczi Kristóf, Firm Managing Partner, comments: ‘‘I am delighted to see these talented leaders, nurtured within our firm, stepping into new and important leadership roles. They bring fresh perspectives to our leadership and firm management, and I am confident that they will drive the continued growth and success of their respective offices and the Firm. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Lukáš Ševčík, Adam Hodoň and former COO Patrick Lynch for their exceptional leadership and unwavering resilience during their tenures. They have created a strong culture, mentored their teams admirably, and provided steadfast support for many years. Their advice will continue to be indispensable as we build the future of our Firm.’’ #exceptionaltogether #leadership #LeadershipRoles #LawFirm #CareerProgression #KinstellarLeadership #BusinessGrowth

🇺🇦 🔔 Attention real estate owners in #Ukraine. 🏠 Check your personal online #tax account for real estate tax liability at http://cabinet.tax.gov.ua 💻 ✉️ Individuals are obliged to pay the respective real estate tax upon receiving a notification-decision from the tax authorities, which should arrive by July 1. Even if such a decision is not received by this date, the tax authorities still have a three-year period within which valid payment notifications can be sent. 🔍 The tax authority regularly updates its tax database, so the safest way to check one's tax liability is to use a personal online tax account on the official website of the tax authority. 🔗 Lyudmyla Dzhurylyuk, Managing Associate, and Vladyslav Serdiuk, Junior Associate, in our #Tax team in #Kyiv, have prepared the overview below. Read about the key points regarding the real estate tax payment here. 👇 #intheknow #LegalAlert #TaxAdvice #RealEstateTax #TaxLiability #UkraineTax #LegalAlert #TaxUpdates #LeadingLawFirm

Last week, our Prague and Bratislava offices hosted a hybrid event focusing on the evolving landscape of data privacy and online advertising. In a panel discussion, leading lawyers and industry professionals had a closer look on recent regulatory developments in the respective area and covered:

🇰🇿 🏢 In private companies limited by shares, the most popular form of company established in the #Astana International #Financial Center (#AIFC) shareholders range from those with majority ownership stakes (i.e. greater than 50%) to those with smaller holdings. The latter, known as minority #shareholders, often face challenges due to their limited ability to influence business decisions. 💡 Our #expertise lies in safeguarding the rights of minority shareholders, offering advice on protection strategies and negotiation tactics to ensure fair outcomes in disputes involving misconduct by directors or controlling shareholders. 👉 After five years of closely monitoring the AIFC #legislation and practicing corporate law within the AIFC, we believe that its corporate law offers stronger legal protections for minority shareholders compared to the general legislation in Kazakhstan. 👓 Read more in our article below written by Joel B. Benjamin, Managing Partner, our Central Asia practice, and Kuanysh Shekerbekov, Counsel. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d2tHqkYS #intheknow #CentralAsia #DoingBusinessInKazakhstan #LeadingLawyers #LeadingLawFirm