Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 1 | 2024!

The FDI Know-How sheet is meant to provide a brief overview on the steps a foreign investor would have to take to keep in line with the emerging legislation.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 4 | 2023!

Bernd Taucher of Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH advised ZetaDisplay AB on its acquisition of Peakmedia digital signage GmbH, a leading Austrian digital signage integrator.

The acquisition is a decisive step for ZetaDisplay towards further strengthening its significant market presence in the DACH region and Europe.

Bernd Taucher acted as lead counsel together with senior associate Julia Satala and associate Emre Erol.

For the full press release, feel free to visit this link.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 2 | 2023!

Our Vienna office, Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, has co-sponsored the Demo Day and pitch challenge event organized by TU Wien Innovation Incubation Center (i²c).

Partner Wolfgang Graf had the pleasure of attending the Demo Day and awarding its finalists.

The PONTES network is always happy to encourage and share the social improvement efforts of its members!

We are pleased to announce that Mr Wolfgang Graf, one of the partners from our Vienna office (Graf Patsch Taucher), has been ranked as one of the best corporate lawyers in Austria by the prestigious business journal trend!

In this latest CEE Legal Matters publication, "Tough Questions for Austria's M&A Market", Dr. Bernd Taucher, PONTES Vienna Partner, discusses some of Austria's economic challenges and opportunities.

With Inflation exceeding 8% in previous years, the Austrian M&A market faces difficulties in accurately valuing companies due to fluctuating prices and reduced purchasing power. The Austrian government has responded to the situation by planning for a more flexible corporate form, requiring less capital.

Furthermore, given that ESG considerations have become crucial in decision-making, their transparent implementation gives businesses a competitive advantage in attracting investors who prioritize sustainable practices.

For further insights, read the full article by following the link.

Together with the international law firm Bird & Bird, Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH (Vienna, Austria) advised EFESO Management Consultants, a global consulting firm for operational strategy and performance improvement, on its investment in Tsetinis Consulting.

In addition to Bird & Bird's lead partner Stefan Münch, French partner Bertrand Levy (Corporate/M&A, Paris) and counsel Christina Lorenz (Corporate/M&A, Munich) as well as other Bird & Bird lawyers, partner Bernd Taucher (Corporate/M&A) acted as lead counsel (Austria) together with associate Emre Erol of Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH in Vienna.

For the full press release, feel free to visit this link.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 1 | 2023!

Gugushev & Partners Law Office advised Alfastar Ventures on the successful registration of the first Bulgarian EuVECA Alternative Investment Funds Manager. 

Our legal team, led by Senior Partner Victor Gugushev and Senior Partner Dimitrinka Metodieva, along with Partner Daniela Petkova and Senior Associate Sevdelina Rabuhchieva, advised Alfastar Ventures during the entire process of registration. The alternative investment funds manager (AIFM) specialises in early-stage venture capital (VC) investment, without having a termination date. The above registration is a significant milestone that is expected to bolster the growing start-up ecosystem in Bulgaria and the region. 

For more information on EuVECA registration, please feel free to contact us.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 4 | 2022!

The second edition of the SeeNews Renewable Energy Sector Report for Bulgaria is out now!

SeeNews has teamed up with Gugushev & Partners Law Office to produce the RES report for the second year in a row.  The report features a plethora of useful information, including an analysis on the financial performance of the sector, a close look into the financing opportunities and a feature material on one of the industry’s hottest segments – hydrogen.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office also played a crucial role in producing the update on the relevant regulatory framework for the sector in Bulgaria.  The report is a must-read for anyone interested in renewables and their impact on businesses and the economy as a whole.

To download the full report, please visit this link: The Report

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 3 | 2022!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 2 | 2022!

We are proud to announce, that two partners of Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, the Austrian Office of PONTES, have been ranked in the 2022 lawyers ranking of the Austrian Business Weekly „Trend“. Dr. Bernd Taucher has been recognized as one of the top 10 lawyers for M&A in Austria and Dr. Alexander Patsch is singled out as one of the top 10 lawyers for Real Estate. Review the complete ranking HERE.

Recently, the Austrian Supreme Court issued a pivotal ruling on the liability of a Bank-Auditor. To learn more, check out the legal article of PONTES Vienna Partner, Bernd Taucher, published on CEE Legal Matters.

We continue to be a leading legal advisor in the area of Commercial, Corporate and M&A with four of our offices recognized in the respective sphere: Austria - Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Bulgaria - Gugushev & Partners Law Office, Czech - JŠK, advokátní kancelář and Slovakia - Majerník & Miháliková.

Furthermore, in Austria, our team is also distinguished in the area of Banking & Finance and Real Estate, while in Bulgaria, the ranking recognizes the long experience, expertise and professionalism of the law firm also in the field of Banking, Finance and Capital Markets, Energy and Natural Resources, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate and Construction and Intellectual Property.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 1 | 2022!

On April 5, 2022, taking place at the spectacular venue of the Honourable Artillery Company, London, the Dealer’s Choice International Law Firm Summit organized by CEE Legal Matters gathered top-tier firms from the CEE region under one roof.

PONTES the CEE lawyers had the privilege to support this pivotal event as Regional Sponsors and it was our utmost pleasure to get together again with colleagues from all around Europe and beyond and discuss the current trends in the legal sector in the CEE region.

Thank you CEE Legal Matters for being an amazing host and we are looking forward to working together on many future projects!

We are proud to receive the Deal of the Year Award for our work on the EUR 170 million acquisition of Delivery Hero’s businesses by Glovo in six separate legal jurisdictions - Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia. Gugushev & Partners Law Office team, led by Victor Gugushev (Senior Partner), represented and signed on behalf of the seller Foodpanda GbmH in Bulgaria, thus completing the strategic transaction. Gugushev & Partners team also included Ms. Dimitrinka Metodieva (Senior Partner) and Mr. Kiril Gyorev (Associate).

The Award was presented at the Deal of the Year Award Banquet in London on April 5, 2022. Deal of the Year Awards, organized by the prestigious legal journal CEE Legal Matters, is an annual celebration of those lawyers and law firms that have brought the deals that shape Central and Eastern Europe.

Find out more about the deal on their website HERE

If you do not receive even half the value of what you have provided, you can cancel the contract within a year and a day

The Civil Code introduced a new rule according to which a party may, within one year of concluding the contract, demand its cancellation if the performance it provided is "grossly disproportionate" to what it received from the other party – so-called disproportionate reduction (Section 1793 et seq. CC). The Supreme Court has now clarified that this "gross disparity" occurs when the aggrieved party does not receive about half (range 45 to 55%) of the value it has provided. This margin may be departed from only if there are special reasons for doing so. In case of doubt, it must be concluded that there has been no disproportionate reduction.

(Judgment of the Supreme Court of 25 January 2022, File No. 33 Cdo 42/2021, available at click here - Czech only)

• deal announcement: http://jsk.cz/archiv-aktualit.html

The 2022 ranking of Chambers Europe created by one of the most prominent legal directories - Chambers and Partners is currently out.

We continue to stay a strong legal partner in #CEE in the area of Corporate/M&A in terms of both legal offices and leading practitioners. Four of our offices are recognized in the respective sphere: Austria - Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Bulgaria - Gugushev & Partners Law Office, Czech - JŠK, advokátní kancelář and Slovakia - Majerník & Miháliková. Furthermore, four of our M&A legal experts were delighted to see their names in the Chambers and Partners prestigious ranking as a recognition of their leading role in some of the largest deals in the region: Mrs. Katarina Mihalikova, Mr. Stefan Gugushev, and Mr. Tomáš Doležil.

We are also proud to be recognized as leading experts in other legal fields. Our Bulgarian office stands out in the field of Energy and among the experts, Ms. Yoanna Ivanova is recognized in the area of IP. Mr.  Alexander Patsch from PONTES Vienna is ranked as a prominent expert in the field of Real Estate and  Mr. Tomas Richter from PONTES Prague is a leading practitioner in Restructuring/Insolvency matters.

Clemens Freisinger, long-time head of the Dispute Resolution practice group, has recently become the fourth equity partner of the Vienna-based law firm Graf Patsch Taucher, which specializes in transactions and dispute resolution in the business sector. "We are pleased to be able to continue to offer our clients the area of Dispute Resolution with Clemens Freisinger in his usual professional and prudent manner," commented the three name partners of the firm Wolfgang Graf, Alexander Patsch and Bernd Taucher.
Graf Patsch Taucher is a commercial law firm specializing in transactions and dispute resolution in the business sector, with special practice areas in corporate finance, M&A, real estate and dispute resolution.

Four PONTES offices are ranked by Chambers Global Guide 2022, a ranking created by one of the most prominent legal directories Chambers and Partners. In the area of Corporate/M&A our offices in Austria - Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Bulgaria - Gugushev & Partners Law Office, Czech - JŠK, advokátní kancelář and Slovakia - Majerník & Miháliková were recognized.
 
In addition to the firm rankings, three of our M&A experts were recognized as leading practitioners. Mrs. Katarina Mihalikova, Mr. Stefan Gugushev and Mr. Tomáš Doležil are helming some of the most complex and high-value deals in the CEE region, and we are glad that they received a truly deserved acknowledgment from Chambers and Partners, which is based on extensive research, client feedback and peer-to-peer reviews.

PONTES Bratislava Partner Katarina Mihalikova, PONTES Budapest Partner Csaba Polgár, PONTES Prague Partner Tomáš Doležil and PONTES Sofia Partner Victor Gugushev have been invited to join the elite panel of judges for the 2021 CEE Deals of the Year Awards — the most prestigious peer-selected awards for the legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe. 
 
The CEE Deal of the Year Awards have been granted since 2017 by CEE Legal Matters — the leading source of news and information about the lawyers and legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe — to celebrate the transactions, financings, IPOs, and other deals that underpin growth throughout the region, as well as the lawyers and law firms who make them happen. The PONTES Partners were invited by CEE Legal Matters to join the five-person expert juries in Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Bulgaria respectively based on their reputation, expertise, and knowledge, as well as their established commitment to the development of the countries' legal and commercial markets. 
 
“The high regard with which the jurors are held in their markets, the respect they receive from their peers, and their reputations for perspective, intelligence, and understanding they have worked so effectively to create over the years are undeniable — not to mention their first-hand experience helping usher complex and sophisticated deals across the finish line,” said David Stuckey, the Director of the CEE Deal of the Year Awards for CEE Legal Matters. “We are extremely fortunate to have Katarína Miháliková, Csaba Polgár, Tomáš Doležil and Victor Gugushev agree to serve in this important capacity."
 
The finalists for the CEE Deal of the Year will be identified in the March 2022 issue of the CEE Legal Matters magazine, and winners will be announced at the annual CEE Deal of the Year Banquet scheduled for London on April 5, 2022. More information about the awards and the banquet can be found at doty.ceelegalmatters.com. 

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 4 | 2021!

Gugushev & Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian Office of PONTES, and SeeNews are pleased to announce the publication of the first-of-its-kind analysis of the renewable energy sector in Bulgaria. The report includes an in-depth financial analysis covering the three-year period 2018-2020 as well as a comprehensive overview of the regulatory framework in which the sector is operating.

The Renewable Energy Sector report gives insights to all decision makers who: 

• wish to get familiar with the current state of play in the renewable energy sector in Bulgaria;
• are exploring investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector in Bulgaria;
• are looking for an update on the current state of the market to move forward.

By 2030, renewables will account for the production of 13,035 GWh of electricity per year, up from 8,673 GWh in 2020, as stated in Bulgaria’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INCEP). This means that renewables are not just an up-and-coming sector but an integral part of Bulgaria’s economy in the long run.

Download our report HERE to get more insights!

As of 23 November, 2021, Gugushev & Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian Office of PONTES, became a BEAM Market Advisor.

The BEAM SME Growth Market is a unique market organised by the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE), allowing small and medium companies in Bulgaria to receive financing. The main objective of BEAM is to provide small and medium enterprises with the opportunity to raise funds within more accessible terms compared to those on the regulated market while at the same time providing them with similar advantages as those of public companies.

For Gugushev & Partners Law Office, joining the circle of Advisors on the BEAM market is a natural continuation of our work in the area as our team has significant experience in legal services for companies that are aiming to grow into public companies, as well as with investment intermediaries, and the law firm also consults many Bulgarian entrepreneurs, who are developing their businesses at a rapid pace.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 3 | 2021!

CEE Legal Matters sat down with several of the Dealer’s Choice Conference in London sponsors to take a closer look at the Deals of the Year award winners this year marking the current and upcoming market trends in the CEE.

While the Dealer’s Choice Conference in London could not be held this year due to the current events, this annual summit is one of the most important legal events in the CEE each year and we, at PONTES the CEE lawyers are delighted to support its next addition in 2022 as a Regional Sponsor!

Learn more about what has been brewing in the CEE from the full Article HERE

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 2 | 2021!

The PONTES Team had the pleasure to share their perspective on the recent trends and developments in the CEE in an interview with CEE Legal Matters.

Check out the full article on the following LINK

We are proud to announce, that two partners of Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, the Austrian Office of PONTES, have been ranked in the 2021 lawyers ranking of the Austrian Business Weekly „Trend“. Dr. Bernd Taucher has been recognized as one of the top 10 lawyers for M&A in Austria and Dr. Alexander Patsch is singled out as one of the top 10 lawyers for Real Estate. Review the complete ranking HERE.

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 1 | 2021!

PONTES the CEE laywers, Karanovic & Partners and enervis are pleased to publish the Renewable Energy Investment Guide for Central Eastern & Southeast Europe.

The new European Green Deal is supposed to be the key programme of the European Union to stimulate the economy after the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Net Zero 2050” is an ambitious target to achieve, requiring significant developments in a number of areas from energy efficiency measures to sector coupling with intermittent renewable energy generation. That means that the year 2021 will bring many legislative changes triggering a new wave of renewables investments, also in CEE and SEE region.

This Renewable Energy Investment Guide provides support to investors to reduce market entry barriers by offering overview of the power market and renewable power support systems as well as vital insight on the legal framework for project development in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro and North Macedonia

You can find the preview of the publication HERE, and if you wish to receive a full publication in the PDF format, please contact us on office@ponteslegal.eu

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

We are proud to have Katarina Mihalikova, Partner at Majerník & Miháliková, PONTES Slovakia, included in the list of the 100 most influential women in the legal business in Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the area of merger and acquisitions! Katarina has greatly helped to close a number of significant transactions in the region and this is yet another well-deserved recognition of her expertise and professionalism. Check out the full list on this LINK

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 4|2020!

We are happy to announce that the M&A team of JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech Office of PONTES, is strengthened from 1 December 2020 by experienced lawyer Martin Vlk, an expert in transactions with dual qualification for Czech and English law. Learn more about Martin HERE

Gugushev & Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian Office of PONTES, assisted Fr. Lürssen Werft GMBH & CO.KG, part of the northern German shipyard group Lürssen, with its successful participation in a public tender for the Supply of Two Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels to the Bulgarian Navy, which was finalized this week.

The tender organized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence and amounting to nearly BGN 1 Billion (EUR 500 million) is the second-largest public tender ever conducted in Bulgaria in the area of defence and security. The procedure was finalized on 12 November 2020 with the official signing of the tender contract by the Minister of Defence Mr. Krasimir Karakachanov and Mr. Dirk Malgowski, Managing Director of Fr. Lürssen Werft GMBH & CO.KG at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Gugushev & Partners Law Office team was led by the Managing Partner, Mr. Stefan Gugushev, and the Senior Partner – Ms. Dimitrinka Metodieva.

JŠK, advokátní kancelář, the Czech Office of PONTES, has advised shareholders Petr Janu, Jan Zvonik, Ladislav Partl, and Jiri Trcka on the sale of TKZ Polna, spol. s r.o. to the Rose Investments Group.Read more HERE

JŠK, the Czech Office of PONTES, assisted R22 group, a Polish listed holding, on the acquisition of a 100% stake in ProfiSMS s.r.o. and its two Czech 100% subsidiaries AXIMA SMS SERVICES s.r.o. and SMSbrána s.r.o., in an auction process. The firm's advisory included legal due diligence of the targets and assisting the client with negotiation of the transactional documentation. Read the full article HERE

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 3|2020!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 2|2020!

Learn more about the latest political and legal developments in the Czech Republic from the interview with Roman Kramarik, Partner at JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech Office of PONTES, published by CEE Legal Matters, the prestigious media website covering legal news from Europe’s emerging markets. Check out the full article HERE.

Dr. Christian Schnell, a Partner at SOLIVAN, the Polish Office of PONTES, contributed to the 3rd Issue of Markets International for 2020 with an article presenting an overview of the renewable energy investments in Poland. Markets International is a magazine published by Germany Trade and Invest, the official government agency in Germany for promoting investments by German investors. You can read the full article in German language HERE.

Dr. Christian Schnell, a Partner at SOLIVAN, the Polish Office of PONTES, authored an article presenting an overview of the RES investments on the Polish power market emphasizing the future perspective of large scale solar installations in the coming years. You can read the full article in German language HERE.

Christian Schnell and Olga Wasilewska from Solivan, the Polish Office of PONTES, contributed to the development of the first-ever guide in Poland about sector coupling in the energy sector published by the Jagiellonian Institute. The full guide in Polish language can be accessed HERE

Csaba Polgar, one of the Founding Partners of PONTES Budapest, contributed to April Issue of CEE Legal Matters with an intriguing guest editorial. Find out more about the Triple Bottomline Impact – Time to Change HERE

Gugushev & Partners Law Office develops a comprehensive legal review on the latest regulatory developments in Bulgaria following COVID-19 pandemic

Following the adopted amendments to the Health Act of 13 May 2020, the team of Gugushev & Partners Law Office developed a legal review with respect to the key legal amendments being implemented upon their enactment. The amendments regulate the measures for overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic to be applied after the end of the State of Emergency.

The present bulletin is developed with the purpose to support and increase public awareness regarding the scope and nature of the important amendments in a wide range of areas concerning both legal and natural persons as follow:

• Key Amendments Regarding Terms of Different Nature
• Key Amendments Related to Public and Private Financing
• Key Amendments Related to State/Municipal Property
• Key Amendments Related to Education
• Key Amendments Related to Public Procurement
• Key Amendments Related to the Labor and Social Security Legislation
• Other Key Amendments
• Key Amendments Related to Foreigners on the Territory of the Republic of Bulgaria
• Key Amendments, Important for Tourism

The full bulletin is accessible HERE

JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech Office of PONTES, contribute to the development of Covid-19 cross-border briefing review of the Government Measures in Key Jurisdictions from all around the world. Learn more about the recent developments in the Czech Republic HERE

The impact of COVID-19 on solar projects in Hungary

COVID-19 has an impact on all industries. Solar projects are no exemption. Csaba Polgár, one of the Founding Partners of PONTES Budapest, has teamed up with Solarplaza, Andreas Feichtinger and Peter Pusztai for a webinar on 7 May 2020 at 16.00 CET to discuss and analyse the impact of the coronavirus on the Hungarian solar industry. You can learn more or join the webinar HERE

Andrej Majernik elected as a member of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic

On 24 April 2020,Andrej Majerník, one of the Founding Partners of Majerník & Miháliková, the Slovak Office of PONTES, was elected as a member of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic. Andrej was nominated by the Parliament and elected with 93 votes to serve a 5-year term in this body established by the Slovak Constitution. The Judicial Council is composed of 18 members and it has broad competences of public control over the judiciary. Its vast mandate includes among other things proposals of appointments and revocations of the judges to the President, set-up of standards of ethics, oversight of disciplinary proceedings and decision-making on transfers of judges. Such an appointment is a great honour and a recognition of exceptional professionalism, expertise and integrity demonstrated in the practice of the legal profession! Congratulations to Andrej Majernik and Slovak Office of PONTES!

The first issue of PONTES News Quarterly for 2020 is out!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 1|2020!

PONTES Firms Included in The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 Edition

Four PONTES offices are ranked in the EMEA 2020 Edition of the prestigious law firms ranking The Legal 500 (Legalease). The Czech office of PONTES, JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. as well as the Slovak office, Majerník & Miháliková, are recognized for their exceptional work in the area of Commercial, Corporate and M&A. Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH, the Austrian office of PONTES, stands out with its expertise in the fields of Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Real Estate and Commercial Litigation. Gugushev and Partners Law Office from Bulgaria is singled out for their vast experience and expertise in a number of areas: Banking, Finance and Capital Markets; Commercial, Corporate and M&A; Dispute Resolution; Intellectual Property; Energy and Natural Resources; Real Estate and Construction.

Majerník & Miháliková, the Slovak Office of PONTES, contributed to the development of the CEE Legal Matters Comparative Guide: Capital Markets 2020

Majerník & Miháliková, the Slovak Office of PONTES, contributed to the development of the CEE Legal Matters Comparative Guide focusing on Capital Markets in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. The Guide is co-edited by Shearman & Sterling LLP and presents an overview of CEE's capital markets and a useful summary of applicable legislation, procedures, and requirements for offerings and issuances in each jurisdiction. See the full article for Slovakia HERE.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian Office of PONTES, develops a comprehensive legal review of the adopted economic state aid in Bulgaria

The compensation regime introduced by the Council of Ministers will have an economic impact on business in Bulgaria, which, due to the declared state of emergency and anti-epidemic measures, as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, would suffer serious losses. State aid provides a financial incentive in various sectors that can prove reduced sales revenue. The Bulgarian state will grant 60% of the contributory incomе for January 2020 for each worker to whom the compensation regime is applied. The employer will provide the remaining 40% of the net wage, however, the burden of paying social security contributions and tax on its gross value will not be borne by the compensation scheme. In light of these, the calculations indicate a real 50/50 split. Nevertheless, the unprecedented emergency measure would help to prevent a further wave of mass unemployment and liquidation of businesses, it would bring partial security to jobs and employers, and would slow the expected economic downturn. At least such are the expectations. You can find more on this topic and the practical applications of the adopted decree in the legal review prepared by Gugushev & Partners Law Office.

Access full article in English HERE

Gugushev & Partners Law Office develops a comprehensive legal review on the latest regulatory developments in Bulgaria following COVID-19 pandemic

Following the adoption of the Emergency Act Regarding the Measures and Safeguards During the State of Emergency on 23 March 2020, the team of Gugushev & Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian Office of PONTES, developed a legal review with respect to the key legal amendments being implemented upon its enactment.

The present review is developed with the purpose to support and increase public awareness regarding the scope and nature of the important amendments in a wide range of areas of the effective legislation concerning both legal and natural persons.

The legal review is segmented into eight separate areas, as enlisted below, and the respective information is accessible by clicking on the relevant section:

• Amendments Related to Suspension of All Procedural Terms on Litigation, Administrative and Enforcement Proceedings
• Amendments Related to Utility Bills Relief and Government Access to Traffic Data
• Amendments Related to Anti-Epidemic Measures and Safeguards and Sanctions for Their Violations
• Amendments Related to the Validity of Personal Documents, Territorial Expert Medical Board (TEMB) and National Expert Medical Board (NEMB) Decisions and Others
• Amendments Related to Management of the Resources from the European Structural and Investment Funds
• Amendments Related to Public Procurement Procedures
• Amendments Related to Taxation, Announcement of the Annual Financial Reports and Others
• Amendments Related to Labour and Social Security Legislation

The full legal review is accessible HERE

The Austrian and Bulgarian Offices of PONTES contributed to the development of the first-ever CEE Legal Matters Covid-19 Comparative Guide: Contracts

Graf Patsch Taucher, Austria, and Gugushev & Partners Law Office, Bulgaria, contributed to the development of the first-ever CEE Legal Matters Covid-19 Comparative Guide: Contracts. The Guide is co-edited by Slaughter and May and presents a useful summary of information about the effect of the growing Covid-19 crisis on contractual relations across the region of Central and Eastern Europe. Particular attention is paid to the rules and requirements for claims of force majeure and “change in circumstances” in each CEE country. The full article for Austria can be read HERE and the full article for Bulgaria can be accessed HERE.

Four PONTES Offices ranked in Chambers Europe 2020!

Four PONTES network offices are included by Chambers and Partners in its Chambers Europe Guide 2020, law firm rankings released today! Majerník & Miháliková in Slovakia, JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. in the Czech Republic and Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwalte in Austria are recognized for their exceptional work and expertise in the area of Corporate and M&A. Gugushev and Partners Law Office in Bulgaria is singled out for its professionalism and work in the fields of Corporate/Commercial law and Energy.

Renewable Energy Investments in Poland

Learn more about renewable energy investments in Poland from an article in CEE Legal Matters of Christian Schnell PhD and Olga Wasilewska, PONTES Poland energy experts: https://lnkd.in/eFWwd8j

The Buzz in Bulgaria

Learn more on the latest political and legal developments in Bulgaria from the interview with Victor Gugushev, Partner at Gugushev and Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian Office of PONTES, published by CEE Legal Matters, the prestigious media website covering legal news from Europe’s emerging markets.

Three PONTES network offices are included by Chambers and Partners in its Chambers Global Guide 2020, one of the most prestigious law firms rankings worldwide. Majerník & Miháliková in Slovakia and Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwalte in Austria are recognized for their work and expertise in the area of Corporate/M&A. While Gugushev and Partners Law Office in Bulgaria is singled out for its professionalism and expertise in the Corporate/Commercial area.

Solivan, the Polish Office of PONTES the CEE lawyers advised CATALYST CAPITAL on the acquisition of the Diamante office building located in Cracow

SOLIVAN Attorneys-at-law - member of PONTES the CEE lawyers, the Polish Office of PONTES the CEE lawyers, has advised Catalyst Capital on the due diligence and acquisition from a Spanish developer - ALDESA. The Diamante building is an office building with more than 10.000 square meters of lettable area. The Solivan PONTES team advising Catalyst was led by Partners Kamil Żurek and Bartosz Miszkurka, assisted by Justyna Chabocka representing banking and finance practice which assisted Catalyst on re-financing issues.

The fourth issue of PONTES News Quarterly for 2019 is out!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 4|2019!

Solivan Pontes energy law experts Christian Schnell and Olga Wasilewska are authors of the first comprehensive study about corporate PPAs on the Polish market. The report has been published by the Polish think-tank Jagiellonian Institute on behalf of RE-Source HUB Poland, a member of the European platform for corporate renewable energy sourcing. The full report can be reviewed HERE.

JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech Office of PONTES, is very pleased to announce that attorney Marta Fišnerová became the firm's fifth partner in January 2020.

Read the full press release on this LINK  

Interview featuring Tomáš Doležil, Partner at JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech Office of PONTES the CEE lawyers discussing how CEE Law Firms structure their Business Development Trips and why PONTES decided to sponsor 2020 Dealer’s Choice Summit in London organized by CEE Legal Matters.

LINK to the full Article

The Buzz in Slovakia

Learn more on the latest developments in Slovakia from the interview of Katarina Mihalikova, Partner at Majerník & Miháliková, the Slovak Office of PONTES the CEE lawyers, published in the January issue of CEE Legal Matters

LINK to the Article

The third issues of PONTES News Quarterly for 2019 is out!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 3 | 2019!

JSK Advised Investment Group Catalyst Capital on the Acquisition of a Shopping Centre

Based on a referral from SOLIVAN Attorneys-at-law - member of PONTES the CEE lawyers, the Polish Office of PONTES, JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. provided legal advice to investment group Catalyst Capital, long term client of Solivan, in the acquisition of the Olympia Olomouc shopping centre. Olympia Olomouc is a regional shopping centre with more than 30,000 square metres of lettable area. The transaction was led by JŠK partner Roman Šťastný in cooperation with senior associate Daniel Pospíšil, junior lawyer Jana Sabová and Patrik Müller, managing associate, responsible for the company’s due diligence.

Solivan, the Polish member firm of PONTES the CEE lawyers advised Renesola NYSE on the sale of 55 MW commissioned solar farms

SOLIVAN Attorneys-at-law - member of PONTES the CEE lawyers, the Polish member firm of PONTES the CEE lawyers network, has advised Renesola NYSE listed solar project developer on the sale of 55 MW commissioned solar farms to Aberdeen Standard Investment. Aberdeen Standard Investment was advised by Weil. According to Solivan, the portfolio of Renesola is the first large solar farm portfolio which fully entered into the Polish contract for difference support system after 2016 and 2017 auctions. The Solivan PONTES team advising Renesola was led by Partner Christian Schnell PhD, assisted by Managing Associate Piotr Dziwniel and Senior Associate Olga Wasilewska. The Weil team advising Aberdeen Standard Investment was led by Counsel Marek Durski.

Gugushev and Partners Law Office Shortlisted for Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards Europe 2019

Every year Chambers and Partners orginizes the Chambers Diversity and Inclusion Awards that celebrate those law firms and individuals who are developing the tradition of diversity and inclusion in Europe. Gugushev and Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian office of PONTES, has been shortlisted in the “Outstanding Firm for Furthering Diversity and Inclusion” category. "Being recognized for our hard work and efforts alongside our clients and other law firms is a tremendous honor to us,” said Victor Gugushev, Attorney at Law and Partner at Gugushev and Partners Law Office. This category recognizes efforts to ensure that diverse candidates are given equal opportunities in recruitment, retention and promotion. The Award ceremony will take place on October 1 in Amsterdam.

Gugushev and Partners Law Office Shortlisted for Prestigious Legal Awards

Gugushev and Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian office of PONTES, has been shortlisted for the The Law Society's prestigious Excellence Awards 2019, which is the highest accolade for law firms in England and Wales. GPLO has been shortlisted in the "Excellence in International Legal Services” category. Law Society president Simon Davis said: “The firms and solicitors shortlisted should be commended for going above and beyond to support their clients.” As stated later, the Excellence Awards 2019 would recognize the immense contribution those firms make to our society. Gugushev and Partners Law Office aims at being one of the leaders on the Bulgarian legal market, providing high quality integrated legal services to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and the Bulgarian government. Therefore, being nominated for such a prestigious achievement becomes a great honor for us! Winners will be announced at the Law Society’s Excellence Awards ceremony in London on 23 October 2019.

JŠK advises KKCG on the acquisition of a stake in the SAZKA Group

JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. advises KKCG on the acquisition of a stake in the SAZKA Group. Sazka Group founders Karel Komarek (KKCG) and Jiri Smejc (EMMA Capital) agreed on the division in March 2019, and following the approval by regulatory authorities in counties where the SAZKA Group conducts business, the transaction has now closed.

Click here for more information.

The second issues of PONTES News Quarterly for 2019 is out!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 2|2019!

JŠK's 15th anniversary summer party in Prague

On Thursday, June 6 JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. invited 200 clients and friends to its traditional summer party, which this year was held in the spirit of the number 15. In the beautiful Mánes Restaurant in Prague moderator Tomáš Hanák kicked off the proceedings by asking JŠK partners 15 tricky questions about the firm. This was followed by a concert by Thom Artway, a likeable singer who is still waiting for his 15th hit. During the evening guests could try 15 delicious ice cream flavours and 15 original mixed drinks, while dancing to a selection of the biggest hits from the last 15 years.

You can take a look at a video the event here

Wolfgang Graf from Graf Patsch Taucher, the Austrian office of PONTES supports the award winner of the pitch challenge of Innovation Incubation Center of TU Vienna

Wolfgang Graf from Graf Patsch Taucher, the Austrian office of PONTES, was a jury member for the pitch challenge of Innovation Incubation Center of TU Vienna (Technical University). Other members of the jury represented SpeedInvest, TecNet and aws (the Austrian federal promotional bank). Graf Patsch Taucher sponsored a 5000 Euro cheque for the award winner NovoSome, a Team of three scientists from Technical University Vienna with the vision to increase patient compliance for pharmaceuticals by facilitating a novel drug delivery technology. Wolfgang is a long time University lecturer at TU Vienna and has supported start-ups such as contextflow and Procedural Design.

Pontes Budapest advised Photon Energy Group in connection with the project financing of a solar power plant portfolio in Hungary. Interesting inside-out details on the deal are presented in an interview by CEE Legal Matters with Csaba Polgár, Head of our Budapest Office. You can read the full interview on the following LINK.

The first issues of PONTES News Quarterly for 2019 is out!

Transactional and other interesting news from PONTES: the CEE lawyers legal network - read the new issue of PONTES News Quarterly 1|2019!

All three partners of PONTES Austria (Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH) were ranked in Austrian business weekly “Trend”

The renowned Austrian business weekly “Trend” annually picks the top ten Austrian lawyers for a number of practice areas in a country-wide ranking exercise. As in last year’s ranking all three partners of PONTES Austria (Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH) were ranked in their practice areas in the top ten. This again highlights the top-quality services offered by the firm. Wolfgang Graf was ranked in the practice area company law, Alexander Patsch in the practice area real estate and Dr. Bernd Taucher in the practice area Mergers & Acquisitions. Bernd Taucher: “Besides international rankings such as Chambers, Legal 500 or JUVE which have covered our work very well for years, at least one of our partners was usually also ranked in the top ten of the Trend-ranking. It is of course a great honour for us to see for two years in a row now all the three of our partners ranked in the top ten of their practice areas and as you can imagine this makes us smile.”

SOLIVAN, the Polish office of PONTES, have advised leading German project developer WKN

SOLIVAN Attorneys-at-law - member of PONTES the CEE lawyers have advised leading German project developer WKN, member of listed PNE Group, on the sale of the Polish wind farms "Barwice" (42 MW) at the end of 2018, and now also on the sale of the "Jasna" (132 MW), both ready for construction and awarded with a contract for difference after November 2018 auction. The purchasers have been German family office Wirtgen Invest for Barwice wind farm and Stadtwerke München, one of the largest German utilities, for Jasna wind farm. Those transactions constitute the quickest and largest portfolio sale after November 2018 auction in Poland. Construction of both wind farms is expected to be complete at mid of 2020.

The Solivan Pontes team advising on Polish legal matters was led by Christian Schnell, head of the Energy M&A team, joined by Associate Piotr Dziwniel. Wirtgen Invest was represented by SSW Law & Tax Warsaw, whereas Stadtwerke München was advised by CMS Hasche Sigle Stuttgart, and supported CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, Warsaw office.

JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech office of PONTES, advises Sedlacek Family on PONY Group Sale to Fine Gusto Nature

JSK has advised the Sedlacek family on the sale of PONY Auto Trend s.r.o. and PONY Plast s.r.o. to Fine Gusto Nature Trade s.r.o. The Marian Jerabek Law Firm in Brno reportedly advised Fine Gusto Nature Trade on the acquisition.

Click here for more information.

PONTES Firms Included in The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 Edition

Several PONTES offices were ranked in the 2019 Edition of the prestigious law firms ranking The Legal 500 (Legalease) EMEA. The Czech office of PONTES, JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. as well as the Slovak office, Majerník & Miháliková, s.r.o. were recognized in the Commercial, Corporate and M&A categories. Gugushev and Partners Law Office from Bulgaria was singled out for their exceptional work in a number of areas: Banking, Finance and Capital Markets; Commercial, Corporate and M&A; Dispute Resolution; Intellectual Property; Energy and Natural Resources; Real Estate and Construction. Meanwhile, Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte GmbH in Vienna was recognized in Banking and Finance, Commercial, Corporate and M&A, and Real Estate categories.

Majerník & Miháliková, s.r.o. & PONTES: the CEE lawyers hosted an event at the Embassy of Slovakia in London

Around 40 participants attended Majerník & Miháliková, s.r.o. & PONTES event at the Embassy of Slovakia in London on 10 April 2019 to discuss topics of “M&A in CEE 2018 and Brexit implications on selected legal sectors”. Tomáš Doležil from JŠK, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., the Czech office of PONTES, presented the recent updates on M&A in the CEE region followed by an overview of the implications of Brexit presented by Stefan Gugushev from Gugushev and Partners Law Office, the Bulgarian office of PONTES. The briefing was followed by a business mixer, where the participants including lawyers, bankers and investors had the opportunity to discuss further the topics and share their experience of working in the CEE region.

Pontes Budapest in cooperation with Deloitte Legal advised on K&H Bank Loan to Photon Energy Group

Deloitte Legal has advised K&H Bank on long-term non-recourse project financing provided to Photon Energy Group for Photon Energy’s 11.5 MWp proprietary PV power plant portfolio in Hungary. Pontes Budapest advised Photo Energy on the deal.

Click here for more information.

PONTES firms included in Legal 500 2018 Edition

Several PONTES offices were ranked in the 2018 Edition of the prestigious Legal 500 guide to the best law firms. JŠK in Prague was recognised in the M&A/Corporate and Dispute Resolution categories, as was Bulgarian firm Gugushev & Partners, which was also recommended for Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Energy & Natural Resources and Real Estate & Construction. Meanwhile Graf Patsch Taucher in Vienna was singled out for its work in Banking & Finance, M&A/Corporate, Dispute Resolution and Real Estate.   

JSK & PONTES: the CEE lawyers hosted a CEE energy and M&A event at the Czech Embassy in London

Around 40 participants attended a JSK & PONTES event at the Czech Embassy in London on 12 April 2018 entitled "CEE Energy and M&A". The briefing and round table discussion focused on the energy, M&A and private equity markets in CEE and was followed by a business mixer. The participants included lawyers, bankers and investors.

JŠK, Majerník & Miháliková and Graf Patsch Taucher successfully represented ARBES Technologies in the acquisition of FINAMIS in Slovakia

The JŠK law firm in cooperation with Slovak law firm Majerník & Miháliková and Austrian firm Graf Patsch Taucher, all members of the Central European PONTES network, provided legal advisory services to ARBES Technologies, a member of the Expandia Group, in connection with the cross-border acquisition of Slovak software company FINAMIS.

Click here for more information.

PONTES offices ranked by Chambers and Partners

Three PONTES network offices were included by Chambers and Partners in its law firm rankings released at the beginning of March 2018. Majernik & Mihalikova in Slovakia scored well in the area of Corporate/M&A, while Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte in Austria was recommended for its Banking & Finance and Corporate M&A practice both in Europe and globally, as well as for Real Estate in Europe. Gugushev & Partners in Bulgaria was singled out for its work in the Corporate/Commercial, Energy and Real Estate categories.

WFW and Solivan advise on 55 MW solar portfolio project financing in Poland

International law firm Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW“) and its Polish partner firm Solivan Pontes have advised Sequoia Investment Management (“Sequoia”) on the project financing of a 55 MW solar portfolio located in Poland. This transaction is the first large project financing under the newly implemented auction support systems in Central-Eastern Europe. For more information, please, click here.

BSWW Legal & Tax and Solivan Advise on Sale of Galeria Swidnicka in Poland.

BSWW Legal & Tax has advised Rank Progress on the EUR 26.7 million sale of Galeria Swidnicka to the Catalyst Capital Fund (an SPV of Calioppe Investments). The Solivan firm advised the seller on the deal. For more information, please, click here.

Deal announcement

JŠK advised APS Holding on an agreement with Hellenic Bank of Cyprus for the management of real estate assets and the servicing of the non-performing loans of the Bank. For more information, please, click here.

The PONTES office Solivan in Warsaw strengthens its PE&VC competence

The PONTES office Solivan in Warsaw (Poland) strengthens its team by PE&VC expert Dorota Przelaskowska, a legal counsel (radca prawny) with 20 years professional experience. Click here for more information.