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Update on the ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (the “CSRD”) required EU member states to complete its transposition by 6 July 2024. However, uneven implementation led the EU Commission to initiate infringement proceedings against 17 member states, including the Czech Republic and Romania, on 26 September 2024, citing their failure to fully communicate the necessary transposition measures. These states now face a two-month deadline to finalise the process and respond to the formal notice. While the CSRD’s transposition is nearing completion, attention is turning to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU) 2024/1760 (the “CSDDD”), an equally significant piece of legislation.
TMT Legal Update
Our TMT Legal Update provides insights from our law experts and aims to keep you regularly up to date with sector news, trends and legislation in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions. This issue covers key updates from our jurisdictions from the past few months. REGIONAL Implementation status of certain EU regulations Technology 01. New development regarding NIS 2 Directive implementation in various Kinstellar jurisdictions The EU's NIS2 Directive is a cybersecurity act aimed at improving overall cybersecurity in the EU. Member States must implement it by 17 October 2024. Below we provide
Kinstellar advises MEREP on the acquisition of 50% ownership interest in OC Point Liptovský Mikuláš
Kinstellar has successfully advised Mitiska European Real Estate Partners 3 on the acquisition of a 50% ownership interest in OP Centrum Retail 2 from OPC Group. The target of the transaction, OP Centrum Retail 2, is currently developing a retail park in Liptovský Mikuláš in northern Slovakia. Mitiska European Real Estate Partners 3 (“MEREP 3”) is a fund owned by Mitiska REIM, a leading specialist investor in European convenience real estate. Kinstellar has also recently advised Mitiska REIM on the acquisition of four other retail parks from OPC Group—including Point Skalica, Point Sládkovičovo, Point Žiar nad Hronom, and Point Veľké Kapušany—as part of Mitiska REIM’s plans to expand its retail
How Slovak courts operated in 2023 – Statistics don’t lie
At the beginning of August 2024, the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic released its annual statistical yearbook for 2023 (please see here: Statistical Yearbook 2023). At the time of publication, the effects of the so-called judicial map reforms that were initiated in 2023 had not yet manifested themselves in any significant way. However, we have identified several intriguing trends and other data that we would like to bring to your attention. Civil and commercial litigation In 2023, courts in the Slovak Republic handled 39,920 civil cases, with 110,392 disputes (including commercial cases), which is 7,742 fewer cases than in 2022. Based on an overview of the duration of proceedings in
Kinstellar successfully completes the acquisition of the Bratislava and Prague Offices of Noerr, with the acquisition of Noerr's Bucharest operations to follow imminently
Kinstellar is very pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of the Bratislava and Prague offices of the highly respected German law firm, Noerr. The acquisition of Noerr’s Bucharest operations, the final piece of the transaction, is set to close following final administrative approvals which are expected soon. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Kinstellar's growth journey. Over the past 16 years, we have grown from 4 offices to a dynamic international firm with 12 offices across 11 markets in Central, Eastern, and South-eastern Europe, Turkey, Ukraine, and Central Asia. Adding the Noerr teams in Bratislava, Prague and, very soon, in Bucharest substantially enhances our strength and depth in these three markets.
Kinstellar advises CCC on the Romanian, Czech, Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovak legal aspects of a PLN 1.8 billion financing agreement
Kinstellar is delighted to announce it has successfully advised CCC—a leading Polish-based footwear manufacturer and retailer with a network of over 1,000 stores across 29 countries—on the Romanian, Czech, Croatian, Hungarian and Slovak legal aspects of a PLN 1.8 billion (approximately EUR 420 million) term and revolving facilities agreement. The financing, which is provided by a consortium of lenders including mBank, EBRD, Bank Pekao, BNP Paribas Bank Polska, PKO Bank Polski, Santander Bank Polska, and Bank Handlowy w Warszawie, as well as the factoring entities Santander Factoring, mFaktoring, PKO Faktoring, and BNP Paribas Faktoring, will support CCC’s ongoing operations and the further development of its brands
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
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: An Overview of Banking as a Service
In an era defined by digital transformation and the ever-evolving landscape of financial services, the concept of banking as a service (“BaaS”) has emerged as a key force reshaping the industry. By enabling non-bank entities to offer financial services through partnerships with licensed banks or financial institutions, BaaS has opened up a new realm of possibilities, facilitating innovation, enhancing customer experience and promoting financial inclusion. However, realising these opportunities is closely linked to navigating the complex regulatory framework that governs BaaS operations. BaaS can take various forms, allowing non-licensed entities to provide financial products such as banking, payment, e-money
Update on the ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
CSRD implementation uneven a month before deadline June 2024 – With less than a month to go before the 6 July 2024 deadline for transposing the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (the "CSRD", the “Directive”), countries in Central and Eastern Europe (“CEE”) are still at different stages of implementation. While Romania and Slovakia have completed their legislative processes, Bulgaria and Croatia are still in the legislative pipeline. The Czech Republic and Hungary have completed, at least partially, their transposition, with additional legislation still to be implemented, albeit within uncertain timeframes. For a more comprehensive overview of each stage of the progress on CSRD transposition
Lifting financial assistance prohibition in Slovakia by allowing whitewash procedure
Effective 1 March 2024, financial assistance, i.e., the so-called whitewash procedure, is allowed for joint-stock companies, subject to certain conditions. Previously, such financial assistance was completely prohibited for joint-stock companies. No other types of companies in Slovakia were subject to this limitation. 1. What is the whitewash procedure? Financial assistance is defined as granting advance payments, loans or credits by a target company for the purpose of acquiring its shares and granting security by such company for this purpose. The financial assistance rules apply also for establishment of pledge over the company’s own shares as well as for acquiring, subscribing or establishing a pledge
Kinstellar advises SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance on the acquisition of Austrian Airlines Technik – Bratislava
Kinstellar has successfully advised the Dutch aircraft maintenance provider SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance (SAMCO) on the acquisition of Austrian Airlines Technik – Bratislava (ATB). Located at the Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands, SAMCO provides a wide range of aircraft maintenance activities—from heavy base-maintenance checks, line-maintenance, logistic support, asset and maintenance management to EASA Part 21 approved design changes. With the acquisition of ATB, SAMCO increases its footprint significantly. ATB, located in Bratislava, Slovakia, is fully equipped to perform all base maintenance services with close to 250 staff. With this strategic acquisition, SAMCO creates five additional lines for Embraer
Update on the ESG reporting obligations in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia
CSRD implementation: regional progress uneven as deadline draws near As the 6 July 2024 deadline for implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (the "CSRD") approaches, a new landscape of reporting standards is beginning to take shape across Central and Eastern Europe ("CEE"). Three of the six countries in CEE (the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania) adopted legislative acts in the beginning of 2024 that, at least partially, implement the CSRD into national legislation. The progress in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Croatia however has been slower. Our third status update on the CSRD implementation in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia is available here. For