Kinstellar is pleased to announce that our team has assisted Altebra on its merger with Pyronova Group—forming a new European leader in active fire protection under the name “Altenova”. Pyronov a Group is an international fire protection company headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia. The transaction involves Pyronova and its subsidiaries in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Germany and Ukraine, marking a significant milestone in Altebra Group’s strategic expansion across Central and Eastern Europe. Pyronova is a well-established supplier of innovative fire safety solutions, with a strong regional presence. Altebra Group is a market leader in active fire protection with operations across
This shift introduces complex legal and compliance challenges under EU law, particularly around data collection, processing, and sharing. Key frameworks such as the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive govern issues like user consent, data transparency, access, and deletion. Manufacturers must embed privacy by design and strengthen cybersecurity. How does the GDPR impact data collection in infotainment systems? Infotainment, telematics, and autonomous features gather vast user data - raising critical questions of control, purpose, and protection. The Data Act grants users broader rights to access and share vehicle data, while public safety tools like eCall must still ensure compliance with data
As part of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe Plan/ Readiness 2030, European Union (“EU”) Member States will mobilise EUR 800 billion over the next four years to finance a massive ramp-up of their defence spending. On 17 June 2025, the Commission adopted the Defence Readiness Omnibus (“Omnibus”) to facilitate these defence investments. The Omnibus is the response to the call of the European Council from March this year[1] for the Commission to enable the simplification of both legal and administrative frameworks relevant to defence readiness, in line with the 2022 Versailles declaration by EU leaders calling for Member States to bolster their defence capabilities following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kinstellar and KST Law are delighted to have advised Honeywell on the Turkish law aspects in connection with its sale of its Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) busine ss to Protective Industrial Products ("PIP") for USD 1.325 billion, an all-cash transaction. PIP is a global supplier and manufacturer of PPE products and a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners and this strategic move is reinforcing PIP’s global positioning in the PPE market. Congratulations to our team led by Partners Emre Özer and Mert Elçin, with key involvement from Senior Associate Sıla Şaylı and Associates Helin Akbulut and Tuğberk Çakırca, for their outstanding efforts and dedication. Our colleagues
Cartel fines, which can amount up to 10% of a company’s global group turnover, represent one of the most significant enforcement instruments in European competition law. With both the frequency and the magnitude of such cartel fines on the rise, companies are increasingly exploring the possibility of seeking recourse from managing directors. The admissibility of such damage claims is currently subject of preliminary ruling proceedings before the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”). 1. Facts of the case The Cartel Senate of the German Supreme Court (“BGH”, case no. KZR 74/23) referred a case to the ECJ involving a former managing director of a German limited liability company who simultaneously served as
Kinstellar has successfully advised Accolade Holding, a Czech investment group specialising in sustainable industrial infrastructure, on the acquisition of a 21,600 sqm facility in Košice, Slovakia, which is currently fully leased by a leading automotive supplier. The transaction further expands Accolade’s footprint in the Slovak market and supports its long-term strategy of developing high-quality infrastructure for businesses across the logistics and manufacturing sectors. Kinstellar’s Bratislava office provided full legal support throughout the entire transaction process—from acquisition structuring and negotiation to legal support on the financing side. The acquisition was financed by Tatra banka. The
The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) (“EAA”) represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for private sector businesses across the European Union. Introduced to harmonise accessibility requirements for key products and services, the EAA is designed to improve access for persons with disabilities and foster a more inclusive internal market. With its full application date set for 28 June 2025, business entities that have not yet assessed their compliance posture face growing legal, operational, and reputational risks. The EAA expands beyond earlier public sector-focused legislation and applies to a wide range of industries—from tech to banking, telecoms, and e-commerce—making timely
Kinstellar has advised Mitiska European Real Estate Partners 3 (“MEREP 3”) —an investment fund of Mitiska REIM—in connection with the entry of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) into a joint venture with property developer OPC Group for the development and operation of five retail parks in Slovakia. The joint venture involves retail parks located in Liptovský Mikuláš, Skalica, Sládkovičovo, Žiar nad Hronom, and Veľké Kapušany. The EBRD entered the partnership through its investment vehicle MEREP 3 CEE CIV CommV to support the development of sustainable commercial real estate in the region. All projects are expected to target BREEAM “Very Good” or higher certification.
The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic has submitted a proposal to amend the Act on Information Technologies in Public Administration. Its aim is to strengthen the management of the state's digital assets, increase cybersecurity resilience, and introduce clear rules for the use of artificial intelligence in public administration. From the state’s perspective, this is an ambitious reform, but for IT solution suppliers, it introduces numerous negative consequences that fundamentally change the existing contractual practices and business environment. Below is a summary of the key changes and their practical impacts on businesses. 1. Special copyright regime for public
Kinstellar’s dispute resolution team in Bratislava successfully represented Magna Slovteca in two separate legal disputes brought by suppliers seeking additional compensation based on unsubstantiated invoices. In both cases, the suppliers claimed alleged entitlement to supplementary compensation arising from their business relationship with Magna Slovteca. However, the claims lacked both legal merit and factual basis. Kinstellar convincingly demonstrated to the Slovak courts in both instances that the disputed invoices were unfounded and did not reflect any legitimate contractual entitlement.The courts fully dismissed both claims, and the rulings are now final and binding. Additionally, the claimants were ordered to reimburse
On 4 April 2025, the European Commission issued its long-awaited decision regarding the e&/PPF case, following an in-depth Phase II investigation that ultimately led to the adoption of commitments. The transaction concerns the 50%-plus-one-share acquisition by Emirates Telecommunications Group Company P.J.S.C. (“e&”) of PPF Telecom Group B.V.’s (“PPF Telecom”) telecommunication network and infrastructure businesses in Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia. The decision addresses key elements such as the concept of foreign subsidies and the distortion of competition, offering valuable guidance on how the Commission approaches merger reviews under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (“FSR”). The decision
The Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic has presented a draft of a new Act on the Commercial Register (the Draft Act), which should replace the currently valid and effective Act No. 530/2003 Coll. on the Commercial Register. The Draft Act should also amend Act No. 513/1991 Coll., the Commercial Code (the Commercial Code). The proposed effectiveness of the new act is from 1 March 2026, but the legislative process is still pending. The proposed legislation has the ambition to modernise processes in the Commercial Register, simplify certain formalities, and at the same time strengthen transparency. However, this comes with a number of fundamental changes that require increased attention. Major changes