- Home
- News & Insights
Search by
Latest
Kinstellar to continue the operation of Noerr’s CEE practice in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania & Slovakia
Noerr and Kinstellar are very pleased to announce that Noerr’s practices in Budapest, Bratislava, Bucharest and Prague are to be transferred to Kinstellar. Noerr and Kinstellar have agreed to transfer these practices after the details of the integration are fully worked out. Several important operational and technical aspects, including investments in IT systems, leasehold premises are being worked out and the deal will complete after all necessary regulatory consents and internal approvals have been obtained. Noerr delivers the highest level of service to its clients. For many years, the law firm has successfully pursued a strategy of qualitative growth. Noerr has operated offices in CEE since 1990 and is very proud of the accomplishments
Do you want to litigate in Slovakia? From 1 April 2024 you will pay more
At the end of last year, the National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted changes to administrative fees, court fees and fees in other areas of public administration. From 1 April 2024—just a few days from now—not only will it be necessary to pay more for various administrative matters, but court fees will also increase. Click on one of the images below or click on the following links to read the overview covering the respective changes in English or in Slovak. Downloa d in English: Download in Slovak:
Slovakia – Choice of jurisdiction in purely national relationships resolved
In its decision of 8 February 2024 (C 566/22), the Court of Justice of the European Union (the ECJ) has finally resolved the long-term practical question (and debate among legal practitioners) whether, in the case of a purely national relationship without the presence of a foreign element or link to several legal orders, contracting parties may choose the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities of any EU Member State. The response is YES. This landmark decision is a clear affirmation of the parties’ autonomy to determine the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities. Simply put, if two Slovak entities enter into an agreement under Slovak law without a link to another Member State or non-Member State, the parties are not
Update: ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
With the 6 July 2024 deadline for the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (the "CSRD”) looming, Member States across the EU have been moving at different speeds to adopt their respective local implementing legislation. Our second status update on the CSRD implementation in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia is available here. At the time of writing, three of the six countries in Central and Eastern Europe that we have been following – the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania – have already adopted legislative acts that, at least partially, implement the CSRD into national legislation. Slovakia has brought a draft act to parliament
Kinstellar contributes to International Employment Lawyer's Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce
Kinstellar is delighted to have contributed to IEL’s Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce 2023. In 2023, cross-border restructurings increased significantly – a trend that is expected to persist in early 2024. But conducting the process fairly, and thoroughly, poses a distinct set of hurdles for multinationals. The global guide examines and provides, across 45 jurisdictions, clear answers to the key questions facing employers when conducting a restructuring, under the following areas: Reduction in workforce Restructuring/Re-or ganisation of the business Changing terms and conditions Areas to watch Kinstellar employment team covered the following jurisdictions:
Kinstellar appoints new Sector and Service Line Heads and Head of German Desk
Kinstellar supports professional growth by offering a broad range of career development opportunities for our team, including the role of sector/service line head or co-head. We provide growth opportunities to all of our talented lawyers with the relevant experience and an outstanding track record. We are delighted to announce the following appointments: Csilla Andrékó, Partner in our Budapest office, is the Co-Head of the firm-wide Banking & Finance Service Line. Csilla is one of the founders of the Firm and the former Managing Partner of the Budapest office. Csilla also served as the head of the regional Banking & Finance and Restructuring & Insolvency Service Lines. She retired from active practice
ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
Since the ESG reporting obligations in the EU, i.e. the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force earlier this year, the transposition clock has been ticking for Member States with a deadline expiring on 6 July 2024. Kinstellar’s ESG team is closely monitoring the implementation process in all EU countries where we are present. Our first status update on the CSRD implementation in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia is available here. At the time of writing, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia have proposed draft laws implementing the CSRD, while Bulgaria and Croatia have set up working groups to prepare draft legal acts. In any event
“Green Claims” in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary
On 22 March 2023, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive on Green Claims. The proposed Directive aims to tackle false environmental claims by ensuring that consumers receive reliable, comparable and verifiable environmental information on products and services across the European Union. By laying down clear criteria on how companies should evidence environmental claims, along with mandating an EU labelling scheme and new enforcement procedures to secure compliance, the Directive on Green Claims is designed to enable better environmental decision-making by consumers and to reduce so called “green washing” (spurious environmentally friendly claims). However, it will likely still be some time before
Kinstellar advises Siemens Mobility on the acquisition of the Slovak company HMH
Kinstellar has successfully advised Siemens Mobility on the acquisition of the Slovak company HMH, a leading regional producer and innovator of railway security solutions. Siemens Mobility, part of the Siemens multinational conglomerate, has been a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years. It offers a comprehensive portfolio through its five business units: Rail Infrastructure, Turnkey, Rolling Stock, Customer Services and Intelligent Traffic Systems. HMH is a Slovak-based technology company and producer of the MIREL national train protection system for Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Designed as a harmonised system with an interface according to European rail standards, MIREL
Slovakia: Subsidies for the construction of Renewable Energy Sources
Are you considering building your own Renewable Energy Source ("RES") in order to reduce your electricity costs, comply with internal ESG policies, or for any other reason? If so, you may find this overview of currently available subsidies to entrepreneurs in Slovakia for the construction of RES helpful. Currently, there are two opened calls for the submission of applications for state aid in the total amount of EUR 94,554,298. We provide an overview of key information on such aid below. Overview Call Call for the submission of applications for funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to support the construction of new facilities for the production
Kinstellar advises I Squared Capital on the acquisition of Arriva Group
Kinstellar, together with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as the lead counsel, has successfully advised Miami-based I Squared Capital, a leading global infrastructure investment manager, on the multi-jurisdictional acquisition of the entire Arriva Group, an international transport business of Deutsche Bahn. The sale is expected to close in 2024. Kinstellar delivered a comprehensive range of legal services. This included conducting due diligence and offering regulatory advice that spanned multiple Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Kinstellar also provided transactional advice, with a specific focus on local law requirements arising in connection with the negotiation of the SPA and completion of the
Cannabis use: CEE regulatory update
Significant changes in the regulation of cannabis use have occurred in some countries in Central and Eastern Europe since our last report. In addition to a number of countries gradually legalising the use of cannabis for medical purposes, increasing efforts by some countries are being seen to also legalise the use of cannabis for recreational use, as well as the use of other products containing various cannabinoids, most importantly cannabidiol (CBD). Click here to read a summary of recent changes related to the national regulation of this rapidly growing sector across Central and Eastern Europe. For any other details or information, please contact Tomáš Čihula, Partner. Contributors: