Kinstellar successfully completes the acquisition of Noerr’s Bucharest operations, following the acquisition of Noerr’s Offices in Bratislava and Prague
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Kristóf Ferenczi is appointed Firm Managing Partner of Kinstellar

News, deals & insights

News December 2024

Important notice to our Clients and Contacts: Beware of impersonation emails

6 December 2024 – It has come to our attention that some companies in our countries (most recently from Hungary, Romania and Slovakia) have received unauthorised fraudulent emails falsely claiming to originate from Kinstellar. This appears to be part of an illegal scam (fraudulent impersonation) campaign. We assure you that these fraudulent emails did not come from our official Kinstellar domain and have nothing to do with our Firm. Our IT and Risk & Compliance teams are giving this matter their highest priority and are actively investigating the issue. We are bringing this matter to the relevant authorities. Importantly, this illegal scam campaign appears to have been sent from various

Insights December 2024

Practical Note: The Development of the Banking Sector within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)

Since its establishment, the AIFC has generated significant interest by developing its financial services sector, particularly in banking. The financial ecosystem in the AIFC was designed to attract foreign investment, and various incentives have been introduced to encourage the growth of both traditional and Islamic banking businesses. However, despite these incentives, the development of the banking sector within the AIFC has not reached its full potential. 1. Incentives for bank establishment within the AIFC A series of tax exemptions and regulatory waivers have been provided to make it easier for banks to operate within the AIFC. These measures include: Tax exemptions: Both traditional and Islamic

Insights December 2024

Ukraine REACH to come into effect

On 26 January 2025, the Technical Regulation on the Safety of Chemical Products, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in July 2024, will come into force. The Regulation introduces rules for the registration of chemicals and was developed based on the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). This forms part of legislative changes aimed at protecting human health and the environment. Click on one of the images below or use the following links to read our overview in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:

Deals December 2024

Kinstellar advises Shamrock Capital on its strategic investment in DE-YAN in Serbia

Kinstellar's team in Serbia, working in collaboration with and through the referral of the international law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised Shamrock Capital, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, on its strategic investment in DE-YAN, a leading global experiential consultancy known for its top-tier design, integrated creative strategy and digital innovation.  Kinstellar has provided legal support throughout the process, including the preparation of legal due diligence, assistance with the transaction documentation, and advising on pre- and post-closing activities. The team was led by Managing Associate Mina Srećković, along with Managing Associate Kristina Stojanović, Senior Associates Mario

Insights December 2024

Overview of "gun-jumping" cases in Ukraine

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC) is increasing enforcement efforts against so-called "gun-jumping" violations (i.e. a merger or acquisition executed without the prior approval of the AMC), demanding stricter scrutiny even for transactions with a perceived limited impact on the Ukrainian market. Between January 2022 and October 2024, the AMC imposed not only fines on companies that failed to obtain a prior clearance, but also on those that sought approvals after already closing their deals. To avoid penalties, companies must ensure they have secured AMC clearance before closing transactions, as even war-related challenges do not exempt firms from compliance requirements. Our Ukraine Competition &

Insights December 2024

Turkish Competition Authority adopts the much-anticipated Guidelines on Competition Infringements in Labour Markets

The Turkish Competition Authority ("TCA") announced on 3 December 2024 that the much-anticipated Guidelines on Competition Infringements in Labour Markets ("Guidelines") were been adopted by the Competition Board at its meeting on 21 November 2024. The TCA had previously prepared the draft version of the Guidelines ("Draft Guidelines") and submitted it for public comments via its announcement of 16 September 2024. The TCA has now finalised the Guidelines, also taking into account the comments received on the Draft Guidelines. In its announcement regarding the Draft Guidelines, the TCA stated that it aimed to set out the main principles on the following: the place

Deals December 2024

Kinstellar advises Mpac Group on a market-leading move involving a major acquisition in Romania

Kinstellar is proud to announce that it has advised Mpac Group, a leading UK-based company specializing in packaging automation, on the cross-border acquisition of the CSi Palletising group, a leading provider of end-of-line automation and palletising solutions. The EUR 56 million deal includes the indirect acquisition of two Romanian subsidiaries, CSI Romania and Alpha Las, and is aligned with Mpac Group's strategy to enhance its delivery of comprehensive automation solutions while integrating specialized manufacturing expertise into its global supply chain. Kinstellar's legal team delivered comprehensive support on all Romanian law aspects of the transaction, with Osborne Clarke acting as lead counsel. Kinstellar

Deals December 2024

Kinstellar advises UEG on closing the acquisition of a solar project in Bulgaria with a forecasted capacity of 250 MW

Kinstellar assisted United Energy Group (UEG)'s internal legal team to successfully complete the acquisition of Green Profit EOOD, a developer of a photovoltaic (PV) project under construction. The Simeonovgrad-Polyanovo PV project, located in southern Bulgaria, has a forecasted capacity of 250 MW. The acquisition, which was finalised on 15 November 2024, marks a significant expansion for UEG, a Hong Kong-based producer of traditional and renewable energy. The team that advised UEG throughout the completion of the project was led by Nina Tsifudina (Partner) and Atanas Mihaylov (Counsel) and included Mladen Minev (Counsel), Simeon Vachev and Nikolay Gergov (Senior Associates).

News December 2024

Sinan Diniz, a leading Turkish competition law expert, joins Kinstellar as Partner in Istanbul

Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Sinan Diniz, a highly regarded competition law expert, has joined our associated law firm in Turkey, KST Law, as a Partner. Sinan was previously the co-head of the Competition practice in Esin Attorney Partnership, a member firm of Baker McKenzie, where he managed one of the leading competition law practices in the country. Sinan has more than 10 years of competition law experience and assists clients with all aspects of Turkish competition law including merger control, antitrust investigations, exemption filings, and daily compliance queries. His expertise extends to administrative and private litigation, designing competition law compliance programs, and delivering bespoke

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

What a wonderful night! ✨ 🎉 Our colleagues from the #Bratislava office kicked off the festive December season with a relaxed evening at the beautiful “Mozart House” in the historic centre of the Slovak capital. More than a hundred clients and supporters came to meet our #expanded team in Bratislava and to 🥂 celebrate another successful year of #Kinstellar in Slovakia. Thank you for joining us. We hope to see you again soon and wish you joy and warmth during the approaching holidays! ❄️ #exceptionaltogether #newhorizons 

📢 🇺🇦 #Ukraine #REACH will come into force on 📅 26 January 2025. REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. It is the main EU law to protect 💚 human health and the 🌍 environment. 📃 Ukraine’s regulation on the safety of chemical products stipulates that chemical substances produced, imported or offered on the #Ukrainian market in amounts 1 tonne per year or more (including as part of other chemical products) are subject to mandatory state regulation. 📑 Read our overview on the key principles and requirements including: 📅 When to register; 🧐 Who must register; 🛠️ How to register; 🧩 Deadline exceptions. 📩 Contact Olena Kuchynska, #Kyiv office Managing Partner and co-head of the firm-wide #ESG service line, or Tetiana Kolga, Senior Associate, for your ESG compliance guidance. 🔗 For an overview in English, click the link https://lnkd.in/dsnyDcAh #intheknow #ESG #Environment #Chemicals #EnvironmentalProtection #ChemicalSafety #REACHCompliance #Ukraine #LegalUpdate #NewRegulations

📢 🇷🇸 Kinstellar’s team in #Serbia, working in collaboration with and through the referral of the international law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised #Shamrock Capital, a Los Angeles-based #investment firm, on its strategic investment in DE-YAN, a leading global experiential #consultancy known for its top-tier design, integrated creative strategy and #digital innovation. 📎 Kinstellar has provided legal support throughout the process, including the preparation of legal due diligence, assistance with the #transaction documentation, and advising on pre- and post-closing activities. 🙌 The team was led by Managing Associate Mina Sreckovic, along with Managing Associate Kristina Stojanović, Senior Associates Mario Kijanović and Nevena Milosevic, and Associate Jelisaveta Folić, ensuring comprehensive legal advice at every stage of the transaction. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dZGVYJxU #donedeals #Kinstellar #StrategicInvestment #LegalAdvisors #ShamrockCapital #DEYAN #DigitalInnovation #CorporateLaw #LegalExcellence #TransactionSupport #InvestmentDeals #SerbiaLaw #LegalExperts #KinstellarSerbia

📝 🇭🇷 Edin Karakas, Partner in our #Zagreb office, is delighted to have contributed to the “2024 Unilateral Option Clauses Survey,” published by Clifford Chance. 📚 Unilateral option clauses—commonly found in transaction documents—grant one party the exclusive right to choose between arbitration or litigation for resolving disputes. This year’s edition is a major milestone, covering insights from 120 jurisdictions 🗺️, making it a must-read resource for legal professionals worldwide. 🙏 We thank Clifford Chance for the kind invitation and we look forward to contributing to next editions. 🔗 Discover the full survey here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dqGR-Hph #intheknow #InternationalArbitration #UnilateralOptionClauses #LegalInsights #Kinstellar #InternationalLaw #DisputeResolution #Arbitration #Litigation #GlobalPerspective #2024LegalSurvey

It was an honour and a pleasure to participate once again as sponsors and speakers at this unparalleled event, organized by our partners at Property Forum Events & News. Our Senior Associate, Mario Kijanović from the #Belgrade office, joined the panel “What seals the deal? – Investment trends under the spotlight!” where he shared insights on the evolving investment landscape in real estate across Serbia and Southeast Europe.

Proud to be part of the leading Balkan Property Forum 2024 in Belgrade!

📢 🇷🇸 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 #𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐚! 🗞️ The Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Serbia has recently announced a public call for participation in the second #renewable energy #auctions for awarding the right to a market premium. These auctions are a significant step toward enhancing Serbia’s renewable energy capacity. 📝 Key highlights of the auctions 👇: 🔸Eligible projects: #Wind power plants with an approved capacity of 3 MW and above and PV plants with an approved capacity of 500 kW and above. 🔸 Available quotas: Wind power plants: 300 MW; PV plants: 124.8 MW. 🔸 Maximum bidding prices: Wind power: 79 EUR/MWh; #PV plants: 72 EUR/MWh. 💡 Evaluation criteria: In addition to the bidding price, the percentage of plant capacity offered to the guaranteed supplier or final purchasers through a power purchase agreement will be considered when ranking participants and filling quotas. ❗ Application Deadline: 📅 5 February 2025. 📤 Applications can be submitted via the official portal: 🔗 oieaukcije.mre.gov.rs. 🤝 How can we help: Navigating the auctions process requires careful attention to regulatory compliance and strategic planning. If you are seeking insights or guidance, our Energy team is well-versed in Serbia’s renewable energy framework and is ready to assist where needed. 📩 Reach out to our partner Radovan Grbović, or connect with our core team: Sara Ostojić, Mario Kijanović and Vuk Vučković, LL. M. #intheknow #RenewableEnergy #Serbia #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #GreenEnergy #EnergyAuctions #MarketPremium #SustainableFuture #EnergyInvestments #ClimateAction #RenewableInvestments #EnergyInnovation #GlobalEnergy

We have organised an exclusive #TMT event on #AI and #Personal Data Regulations in our Budapest office, earlier this week. Our team was honored to host the president of the #Hungarian Data Protection Authority and industry experts from #META, #4IG and #IVSZ to discuss the intersection of #innovation and regulation in the area of data protection and AI.

Exploring AI and PersonalData Regulations: An engaging panel discussion in Budapest!

🎥🎮 Czech Parliament Updates Incentives for Films, Games & VOD Exciting changes are here! The Czech Republic has reformed its incentives for movies and video games and introduced a new fee system for VOD providers. Petr Bratský and Anna Marciano explain what this means for the creative sector. 📖 Read more on the slides below #Kinstellar #LegalInsights #FilmIncentives #VideoGames #VOD #CzechRepublic

Legal Summit powered by Kinstellar! 🕹 We are thrilled to announce that Kinstellar is hosting the first-ever all-day legal summit dedicated to video #game law at the Game Developers Session international video gaming conference in Prague.    The Legal Summit is a unique event within the Game Developers Session, designed to bring representatives of the video game industry and legal experts from different countries together in one place to exchange experiences and insights on current legal and business developments within the constantly evolving video game sector.   The event is aimed primarily at game developers and publishers, investors in the game development sector, as well as lawyers from the video game industry.   What can we offer you?   Expert discussions on current legal and business trends (e.g., movie adaptations of video games, dark patterns and monetisation mechanics, AI, video game M&A, etc.). A diverse line-up of international and local speakers. Friendly networking.   🌟 We cordially invite attendees of the Game Developers Session to come and meet us on 13 December 2024 any time from 11.30–17:00 at the Prague Congress Centre in Prague (Summit Hall).   👇🏻 For more information: https://lnkd.in/dqVXAdAh   #Kinstellar #videogamelaw #intearctiveentertainment #gamedevczechrepublic hashtag#gamedev hashtag#gamedevelopmenthashtag#gdsprague