Albania: Legal Update
Albanian Parliament (Finally!) Approves New Data Protection Law Fully Aligned with EU Standards
On 19 December 2024, the Albanian Parliament officially adopted the “Law on the Protection of Personal Data” with 74 votes in favour, marking a landmark achievement as the first piece of legislation in Albania fully harmonised with the European Union’s acquis. By adopting a comprehensive approach aligned with EU standards, the new law seeks to […]
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Tax News
Insights from ASTA’s Tax Days 2024
On 29 November 2024, our Senior Associate Andrej Jelenković shared our recent experiences in the areas of tax audits, tax disputes, and tax criminal cases at the “Tax Days” event organised by the Association of Serbian Tax Advisors (ASTA). The event fostered an interactive discussion among ASTA members and participants, leading to an exchange of […]
Read more Arbitration Conference in Slovenia
Navigating Arbitration: Insights and Skills for Legal Professionals
On 28 November 2024, our colleagues from Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic, in collaboration with VIAC (Vienna International Arbitral Center), Ljubljana Arbitration Center (LAC), DLA Piper, and CMS Slovenia, successfully hosted the event Navigating Arbitration: Essential Skills for Lawyers and In-House Counsel conference at the Grand Plaza Hotel Ljubljana. The event began with welcome remarks by our colleague Partner Minu A. Gvardjančič […]
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Karanović & Partners Joins the Conversation on Entrepreneurship
On 13 and 14 November, the “Ja, preduzetnik” (“I, Entrepreneur”) conference brought together accomplished business leaders from Serbia to share their journeys, from their first entrepreneurial steps to building successful companies with regional and global relevance. Through inspiring presentations, fireside chats, late-night interviews and panel discussions, participants explored the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs. […]
Read more Legislation Update: Albania
Albania’s Privacy Reform: Exploring Key Proposals in the Draft Data Protection Law
The long-anticipated initiative to establish a new legal framework for personal data protection in Albania is finally moving forward, as the Council of Ministers has approved a draft law that aligns closely with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This proposed legislation promises to bring significance in this important but frequently underappreciated legal […]
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ICC Belgrade Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution Conference
On 7 November in Belgrade, the ICC Court of Arbitration and ICC Serbia together with Karanović & Partners, and Pinsent Masons, hosted the third ICC Belgrade Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution Conference. The event brought together around 130 participants, including leading professionals, legal experts, and industry stakeholders to discuss pressing issues in infrastructure contracting, FIDIC contracts, […]
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Karanović & Partners Advises on ISDA Agreements for JLMs on first-ever corporate bond issuance in Serbia
Karanovic & Partners advised a syndicate of Joint Lead Managers, including Bank of America N.A. / Merrill Lynch International, Deutsche Bank AG, Erste Group Bank AG, MUFG Securities (Europe) NV, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, and UniCredit S.p.A., on the legal framework guiding derivative transactions with corporates in Serbia, including negotiation and execution of ISDA Master […]
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Karanović & Partners Advises PPF Group on Strategic Telecom Transaction in CEE
PPF Group has completed the sale of a 50% plus one share in its PPF Telecom Group assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia to Emirates Telecommunication Group Company (e&’s), establishing a new venture, e& PPF Telecom Group. This transaction, valued at EUR 2.15 billion, with an additional earn-out potential of up to EUR 350 million, […]
Read more Serbia’s Bond Market
EY and Karanović & Partners Host Bond Financing Conference in Serbia
On 31 October, EY and Karanović & Partners hosted a conference titled “Bond Financing – Benefits and Challenges from Financial and Legal Perspectives” at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, to discuss the benefits and challenges of corporate bonds issuance through the prism of Corporate Bond Issuance Program supported by the Ministry of Finance. The event opened […]
Read more Albania: Legislation Update
New Joint Instruction Clarifies Residence Permit Procedures in Albania
New Joint Instruction No. 196/2024, “On cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, and the State Intelligence Service regarding the issuance of residence permits for foreigners” (the “Instruction”), came into effect on 22 October 2024. This Instruction, aimed at clarifying and improving coordination among public institutions, does not amend […]
Read more Tax News: Montenegro
Waiver of Interest on Outstanding Tax Obligations in Montenegro
The Law on the Waiver of Interest on Outstanding Tax Obligations (“Law”) has been officially adopted and will take effect on 1 January 2025. This Law allows for the waiver of unpaid interest on tax obligations that became due before 31 December 2024. The Law encompasses taxes, fees, contributions, charges, and other monetary payments established […]
Read more Cybersecurity in Focus
Insights from the Legal Pro Forum
On 22 October 2024, our Senior Associate Andrej Jelenković moderated a panel at the Legal Pro Forum dedicated to the legal and technical dimensions of cybersecurity. The discussion primarily focused on the NIS 2 Directive, addressing its implications and examining civil and criminal cases related to cybersecurity incidents. Dr. Milena Nikolić from Siemens Energy provided […]
Read more 19th Annual Conference
Regional Compliance & Business Regulation Conference: Navigating Through Legal Challenges
On 16 October 2024, Karanović & Partners hosted its 19th annual conference at Metropol Palace in Belgrade –Regional Compliance & Business Regulation Conference. Evolving from an event focused primarily on competition law, this occasion has become a regular event in the regional business landscape, addressing a wide range of topics such as M&A, data protection, […]
Read more Albania: Legal Update
Regulatory Changes for Employment Agencies in Albania
Under Albanian law, employment intermediary activities are carried out by two types of agencies. The first type consists of “Recruitment Agencies,” which facilitate the hiring of individuals to work for a third party. The second type includes “Temporary Employment Agencies” (TEAs), which recruit and hire individuals for temporary assignments with host companies while keeping them […]
Read more Art and Mental Health
Art for the Mind: Celebrating Art and Mental Health on World Mental Health Day
Karanovic & Partners, in collaboration with the Nordic Business Alliance and Artoget, proudly hosted the Art for the Mind exhibition and cocktail event, honouring World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The event underscored the vital role of art in supporting mental well-being, with the aim to celebrate them both. This unique gathering showcased artwork […]
Read more Montenegro: Legal Update
Recent Changes in the Montenegrin Labour Regulations
Recently, the Parliament of Montenegro has amended the labour regulations by adopting two amendments to the Labour Law in August and September 2024, and by adopting the amendments to the Law on Contributions for Mandatory Social Insurance in September 2024. 1. Novelties in the Labour Law The recent amendments to the Labour Law introduce […]
Read more Slovenia: M&A News
Gunnebo Safe Storage Expands in Europe with Primat Acquisition
Gunnebo Safe Storage, a Swedish leader in security solutions, has acquired Primat Group with a presence in Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for manufacturing safes and secure storage solutions. Our colleagues from Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic, Senior Partner Marko Ketler and Senior Associate Nina Krajnc Anžlovar, advised Gunnebo Safe Storage on […]
Read more Croatia: M&A News
TeraPlast Group Expands Regional Presence with Optiplast Acquisition
TeraPlast Group has signed an agreement to acquire 70% of Optiplast, Croatia’s third-largest flexible packaging manufacturer, enhancing its regional reach and production capacity. Optiplast specialises in flexible packaging products, including waste bags and shopping bags, and brings 35 years of market experience to complement TeraBio Pack’s offerings. Our colleagues, Senior Partner Goran Ilej, Senior Associate […]
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BIG Acquires Promenada Novi Sad
BIG has successfully finalised the acquisition of Promenada Novi Sad from NE Property, in a deal worth around €177 million. Promenada Novi Sad is a prominent retail property in Serbia, and BIG CEE acquired it through its Serbian subsidiary. Our team, led by Senior Partner Miloš Vučković, Senior Associate Marko Ćulafić, Associate Marina Živanović, and […]
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A New Era for k/andidates: Year-Round Applications Now Open
As we celebrate 10 years of developing future legal professionals, we are pleased to announce an important update to our k/andidates program. We are transitioning to a new application model—one that allows candidates to apply at any time throughout the year. This change reflects our commitment to flexibility, ensuring we can continuously attract and support […]
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