Client Alerts
Significant overhaul of the Romanian labour code
The Romanian Labour Code has recently experienced significant changes. On 19 October 2022, Law 283/2022 for the amendment and complement of Law 53/2003 – the Labour Code, as well as for the amendment and complement of GEO 57/2019 regarding the Administrative Code was published in the Official Gazette. Focusing on the employment side of Law 283/2022, through these […]...
The Unitary Patent System creates a new possibility for patent protection in the European landscape
*this article is available for download below in English and German Unitary Patent System offers new opportunities for companies in Europe and will strongly influence strategic considerations After years of negotiations, the European patent with unitary effect (“Unitary Patent”) and the Unified Patent Court are about to come into existence. This will add a new […]...
Slovenia: state aid to businesses in times of an energy crisis
*available also in Slovenian below Government provides non-reimbursable grants for businesses to cope with extremely large increases in energy prices On 10 September 2022, the Law determining the aid to the economy due to high electricity and natural gas prices1 (“ZPGVCEP”) entered into force. The state will provide non-reimbursable grants to businesses to co-finance the […]...
EU sanctions against Russia and updates to compliance programmes
Newest EU sanctions take direct aim at oil shipments. Enforcement in certain areas remains problematic After Russia recently illegally annexed several regions of Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson) in late September, the response of the European Union came quickly and as anticipated. By adopting its eighth package of sanctions, the EU joins the Group […]...
GDPR damages: EU Advocate General does not let liability get out of hand
No punitive damages – no damages without damage – no “de-minimis” damages Today, the Advocate General delivered his eagerly awaited opinion in case C-300/21. The case deals with fundamental questions as to the conditions under which non-material damages are to be paid for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Austrian Supreme Court […]...
Romania: Employee Handbook once again mandatory for SMEs
On 14 September 2022, the Romanian Chamber of Deputies sent for promulgation the law rejecting the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 37/2021 (GEO 37/2021) amending and supplementing Law no. 53/2003 of the Labour Code (Labour Code), hereinafter the Rejection Law. This amendment (re)imposes obligations on microenterprises (SMEs) regarding the obligation to draft and implement certain employment-related documents […]...
Amendment to the Czech Act on Ultimate Beneficial Owners
Only one year has passed since the new law on the registration of ultimate beneficial owners, i.e. Act No. 37/2021 Coll. (“UBO Act”) became effective in the Czech Republic. However, the Czech government has already enacted an amendment to the UBO Act (i.e. Act No. 245/2022 Coll.) which will become effective on 1 October 2022 […]...
New Government Emergency Ordinance Regulating the Romanian Energy Market
On 1 September, 2022, the Romanian Government enacted a new government emergency ordinance (“GEO 119/2022”) regulating the Romanian energy market and which further amends Government Emergency Ordinance No. 27/2022 on the measures applicable to final consumers of electricity and natural gas for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 (“GEO 27/2022”). The most […]...
Hungarian Energy Market: Energy market players that are members of the MSZKSZ will face rising costs over the next six months
*available also in Hungarian below Some energy trader costs related to gas stockpiling will increase in the future and the details of this have just been recently published. Hungary’s Minister of Innovation and Technology has revealed the level of contribution certain natural gas traders and other market players will have to pay in order to […]...
Enlargement of the Eurozone: Road Map to the Introduction of the Euro in Croatia
*Status as of 20 February 2023 Croatia entered the European Union on 1 July 2013, but 1 January 2023 is the date when Croatia will actually enter the Eurozone. This means that the Euro (EUR) will become the official currency in Croatia and that the Croatian Kuna (HRK) will be consigned to history. Our experts […]...
Romania: update to the legal framework of representative offices
On 4 August 2022, the Romanian Government issued a new ordinance no. 18/2022 (GO 18/2022) which replaces the former decree-law for the authorisation and functioning of foreign entities’ representative offices in Romania, aimed at simplifying and digitalising a process that has remained unchanged since 1990. The main changes are: Dedicated digital platform All requests for […]...
Hungarian Energy Market: Changes to capacity rules on available grid connection – what can developers expect?
*available in Hungarian below Introduction Critical information for power plant investors and developers: due to the armed conflict in Ukraine and the much broader energy crisis, the government of Hungary has amended the rules on available free grid connection capacities and the related individual procedures. Published available grid connection capacities On 09 August 2022, the […]...