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Kristóf Ferenczi is appointed Firm Managing Partner of Kinstellar
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Kristóf Ferenczi has been appointed as new Firm Managing Partner effective from 1 January 2024. He will succeed Patrik Bolf, who will take on a new position within the Firm focusing on certain firm-wide projects, after having spent a very successful six years in the role. Kristóf Ferenczi has extensive executive management experience having served on Kinstellar’s Firm Management Committee since 2018 and as the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Budapest office. With over 20 years of experience, Kristóf has been with Kinstellar since the Firm’s foundation 15 years ago, and prior to that with Linklaters and DLA Piper. Kristóf is a very well-regarded energy sector specialist
Balázs Sepsey is appointed Office Managing Partner of Kinstellar’s Budapest office
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Balázs Sepsey has been appointed as new Office Managing Partner of Kinstellar’s Budapest office effective from 1 January 2024. Balázs takes over from Kristóf Ferenczi, who has been appointed Kinstellar’s Firm Managing Partner. Rising over the years from Junior Associate to Partner in 2021, Balázs has become one of the finest acknowledged professionals in his field. A recognised energy market expert, Balázs has been a key driver of the growth and success of the Budapest energy practice over the years. As a member of the Budapest office’s management team and a mentor in the local mentoring scheme, Balázs has gained a strong understanding of our culture and values.
“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 Jacquet Metals on a multi-jurisdictional acquisition
Kinstellar, together with Veil Jourde as lead counsel, has successfully advised Jacquet Metals, a European leader in the customisation and distribution of specialty metals, on the multi-jurisdictional acquisition of several distribution companies from Swiss Steel Group, a world leader in the production of specialty long steel. Kinstellar provided a full range of legal services to support the transaction, including due diligence and regulatory advice covering several Central and Eastern European countries. We also provided transactional advice, with a focus on the local law requirements arising in connection with the negotiation of the SPA and the completion of the transaction. The Kinstellar team, including
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
Energy sector expert Balázs Tomaj joins Kinstellar’s Budapest office
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Balázs Tomaj, a seasoned legal practitioner in Hungary’s energy sector, has joined the firm’s Budapest office as a Senior Counsel. With a longstanding and notable career in the energy sector, Balázs brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, further enhancing the firm’s capabilities to serve its clients in this ever-evolving sector. With over 15 years at the largest Hungarian energy companies and law firms, Balázs has established himself as a trusted legal expert in the field. His deep understanding of energy regulations and industry trends is an invaluable asset for our firm and our clients. He will play a leading role in strengthening our capabilities in the energy
EU publishes new regulation on alternative fuel infrastructure
At the end of September, the long-awaited Regulation (EU) 2023/1804) on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU (“AFIR”) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Though the entry into force of AFIR is 13 April 2024, it is worth reviewing the key takeaways that the AFIR introduces as part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package. The AFIR sets binding national targets for the development of adequate EU alternative fuel infrastructure. The new regulation also establishes common technical specifications and requirements regarding the information to vehicle users for the provision of data and payment requirements. The AFIR includes detailed regulations regarding
Kinstellar advises a significant global player on the lease of its headquarters in Hungary
Kinstellar’s team in Hungary has successfully advised a Hungarian company with a global presence in connection with the preparation and negotiation of a lease agreement for its new office headquarters. The deal is one of the largest transactions of its kind on the Hungarian real estate market. The Budapest office advised on various legal aspects throughout the transaction, the subject of which is the lease of more than 8,000 sqm in a Class A office building in Budapest. Kinstellar’s team was led by Partner Annamária Csenterics (Co-Head of the Hungarian Corporate/M&A service) and Of Counsel Mónika Frank (Co-Head of the Hungarian Real Estate service) and supported by Junior Associate Judit Sós.
Kinstellar advises Electrolux Group on the successful divestment of its Nyíregyháza factory in Hungary to Qvantum
Kinstellar is proud to announce that it has advised the Swedish appliances manufacturer Electrolux Group on the successful sale of its manufacturing facility in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, to the Swedish high-quality electric heat pumps manufacturer Qvantum for a cash consideration of EUR 38 million. The Kinstellar team was led by Barnabás Sági, Co-Head of the Budapest Real Estate service line, supported by Bertalan Ványa, Associate. The team also included Annamária Csenterics (Partner), Anna Szilágyi (Junior Associate), Judit Sós (Associate), Péter Vörös (Partner), Péter Gullai (Managing Associate), Dániel Péter (Managing Associate), and Szabolcs Szilágyi (Junior Associate).
Kinstellar advises YouGov on the acquisition of GfK's consumer panel business
Kinstellar, in conjunction with DLA Piper, has advised international online research data and analytics technology group YouGov plc on the acquisition of the European Consumer Panel Business of GfK, a German market research firm, for EUR 315 million. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, YouGov has one of the world's largest research networks. Its products and services draw upon a detailed understanding of more than 24+ million registered individuals to deliver accurate, actionable consumer insights. GfK CP compasses over 100,000 households with panels across 16 European countries collecting and providing data on household purchases and insights intо the FMCG sector. The acquisition is subject to customary closing
Kinstellar advises Yanolja Cloud on its acquisition of a leading B2B travel solution provider
Kinstellar, together with a lead counsel Watson Farley & Williams, have successfully advised Yanolja Cloud, a leading global provider of AI-based SaaS solutions for the hospitality and leisure industries, on the multi-jurisdictional acquisition of Go Global Travel (GGT), a B2B travel technology company that distributes its inventory of more than one million hotels and other travel products from 200 countries to over 20,000 client partners. The acquisition of GGT from AMI Opportunities Fund will give Yanolja Cloud unparalleled distribution capabilities, making it a one-of-a-kind company and allowing properties of all types, sizes, and budget ranges – and in every corner of the world – to digitize property operations.
Kinstellar assists OTP Bank with completing its first acquisition in Central Asia
As previously announced, in December 2022 Kinstellar advised OTP Bank, Hungary’s largest commercial bank and one of the largest independent financial service providers in Central and Eastern Europe, on the successful acquisition of Uzbekistan’s fifth-largest bank, Ipoteka Bank. Kinstellar has continued advising OTP Bank to reach another significant milestone in the transaction, as OTP Bank has completed the first closing of the transaction, i.e. the acquisition of a 73.71% stake in Ipoteka Bank from the state. With the transaction, OTP has become the first foreign lender to participate in the privatisation of Uzbekistan's banking sector. In the next step of the transaction, the remaining shares of Ipoteka Bank