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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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
The new EU AML framework and its far-reaching implications
The Council of the European Union has recently adopted a new set of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules, nearly three years after the European Commission unveiled its package of legislative proposals. The legislative package introduces significant changes to the EU’s AML and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) landscape, including: A more detailed and synchronised approach as to implementing parts of the AML/CFT regulations such as in respect of client due diligence, internal policies and identification of beneficial owners; A requirement for each obliged entity to have a compliance manager (member of the management body/senior management); Extending the list of obliged entities to include (amongst
Kinstellar ups its game in Turkey. Mert Elçin appointed as Partner. Rebrand of local Turkish law business.
Mert Elçin appointed as Partner. Rebrand of local Turkish law business. June 2024 – Kinstellar has fundamentally strengthened its team in Turkey. Kinstellar is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mert Elçin as Partner and leader of our reinvigorated Turkish law practice. For compliance with local bar requirements, Turkish law services will be provided by KST Law in cooperation with our foreign attorney partnership in Turkey, Kinstellar Foreign Attorney Partnership, headed by Edmund Emre Özer. Mert and Emre are supported by a dedicated team of lawyers, which we are growing continuously. Mert Elçin, a renowned Turkish-qualified lawyer, brings over a decade of experience in corporate, M&A
Czech Republic opens up labour market to nine countries
The Government of the Czech Republic has introduced new regulations opening up the country’s labour market to citizens of nine countries. The measures, effective from 1 July 2024, are intended as a step towards a more open and flexible labour market in the Czech Republic. Specifically, citizens of Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, US and Israel will no longer require a work permit, employee card, intra-company transfer card or blue card to work in the Czech Republic as of 1 July 2024. The changes abolish an existing requirement for job-seekers to supply details of employment contracts, evidence of professional qualifications or education, a transfer letter and documents evidencing the