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Important notice to our Clients and Contacts: Beware of impersonation emails
6 January 2025 – It has come to our attention that some companies in our countries (most recently from the Czech Republic, Hungary, 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
Kinstellar launches Vienna office
Kinstellar is delighted to announce the launch of its office in Vienna. This is a significant milestone in strengthening our presence across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Southeast Europe (SEE). The Vienna office is a greenfield development, spearheaded by Horst Ebhardt, a renowned Corporate M&A lawyer and one of the most respected names in the CEE market. Horst brings 25 years of experience in private practice, specialising in complex cross-border M&A, privatisations, and restructuring transactions across Austria and the CEE/SEE region. He provides strategic advice to companies across various sectors, with a strong focus on financial institutions, life sciences, and private equity. Over the past 12 years
Kinstellar advises syndicate of banks on a EUR 73 million financing to Grup Serban Holding
Kinstellar is delighted to announce we have advised a syndicate of banks led by BRD Groupe Société Générale and Banca Transilvania on a EUR 73 million syndicated facility to Grup Serban Holding. BRD Groupe Société Générale and Banca Transilvania served as both Documentation Agents and Original Lenders, Raiffeisen Bank Romania joined as Sustainability Agent and Original Lender, with Banca Transilvania further assuming the roles of Facility Agent and Security Agent for the duration of the transaction. Grup Serban Holding, an entrepreneurial company active in the agricultural sector, will utilize this financing to refinance its existing debt and further expand its operations. Kinstellar’s assistance on
Practical Note for Investors: Insights into Kazakhstan’s Banking Sector in 2025
In 2024, Kazakhstan’s financial regulator and the president of Kazakhstan emphasised repeatedly the necessity of updating the nation’s banking laws to align with global economic trends. This has been particularly relevant to the development of fintech ecosystems—a focus area for our firm over the past few years. In light of these discussions, we have prepared this note to provide a practical overview of the key proposed changes expected in 2025 and their implications for potential investors in the banking sector. We will continue monitoring these developments closely throughout the year to keep you informed. Key proposed changes and opportunities Introduction of two types of banking licenses
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
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
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:
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 &
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
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
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).
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