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Dieselgate settlements – BGH declares shareholders’ resolution void
The German Supreme Court (“BGH”) has annulled the resolution of the general meeting of Volkswagen AG (“VW AG”) in the so-called “Dieselgate” scandal, where settlements concluded with former members of the management board (liability settlements) as well as with the involved D&O insurers (coverage settlements) were approved. The court found that the general meeting had been convened improperly and that the accompanying documents provided insufficient information. With this judgment, the BGH strengthens shareholders’ rights to information and disclosure. Given the substantially identical provisions under Austrian stock corporation law, this judgment is also relevant for Austrian stock corporations (Aktiengesellschaften).
Follow the rules or face the consequences: Bulgaria’s Arbitration Reform
On 1 August 2025, Bulgaria introduced significant changes to its arbitration law, the title of which is now the Arbitration Act. The changes aim at promoting transparency and trust in arbitration proceedings. While some amendments were welcomed by practitioners in the field, others may raise questions, including of practical nature, related to excessive formality, administrative burdens and threat to the confidentiality. 1. Who is affected arbitration institutions with seat in Bulgaria; international arbitration institutions with seat outside of Bulgaria – when the place of the arbitration proceedings is in Bulgaria; ad hoc international arbitration tribunals – when the place of
Kinstellar announces new promotions in the Budapest office
Kinstellar Budapest is pleased to announce that Ákos Nagy has been appointed as Partner and Head of the local Competition, Dispute Resolution, Risk & Investigations, and ESG Service Lines, and Zsuzsa Andrékó and Máté Nagy have both been promoted to Of Counsels. Ákos has been with the Firm since its launch in 2008 and has been a key pillar in the development of the Budapest Office. He brings more than 20 years of experience in corporate, M&A, commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters, with a strong focus on the automotive, battery and defence sectors. He has supported numerous strategic investors on their greenfield investments in Hungary and across the CEE region, including leading players in the electric
Ukraine’s sanctions maze: Why challenging sanctions rarely succeeds
Ukraine currently maintains one of the largest sanctions lists in Europe, comprising roughly 21,000 entries but with only 114 removals over the past decade. Sanctions have become a central instrument of national security policy in response to persistent external threats. At the same time, the likelihood of successfully overturning a designation remains extremely limited. How sanctions are imposed Under current law, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (the “NSDC”) is the primary body responsible for initiating and approving sanctions proposals. These proposals may originate from the President, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukraine’s parliament), or other state authorities such as the Cabinet
Kinstellar successfully advises in a battle to removal of legal barriers to signing of landmark nuclear contract
Kinstellar has successfully advised Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) in connection with the dismissal of legal challenges brought by Électricité de France (EDF), which sought to prevent the Czech state & CEZ Group-owned company Elektrárna Dukovany II from signing a contract for the construction of two new nuclear units at the Dukovany site. The Regional Court in Brno rejected EDF's lawsuit and a related motion for a preliminary injunction, thus clearing the way for the formal contract signing, which occurred in July. And by now, all appeal options have expired as well. Our team acted as Czech legal counsel to KHNP in the administrative and judicial proceedings, which concerned the largest tender in the
Kinstellar welcomes leading Dispute Resolution lawyer Koray Söğüt as Partner in Istanbul
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Koray Söğüt, a highly regarded dispute resolution lawyer, has joined our Istanbul office as Partner and head of the dispute resolution service line. His arrival marks the launch of Kinstellar’s dispute resolution practice in Turkey — a significant step in expanding our capabilities in this core area. With his outstanding reputation, track record and deep expertise, Koray will play a central role in building and leading our dispute resolution offering in Istanbul, ensuring seamless support for clients on complex local and cross-border matters. With more than 20 years of experience, Koray Söğüt brings extensive expertise and knowledge in corporate and commercial litigation
Increase of attorney fees in Serbia: Running in place or running ahead?
From 5 July 2025, legal services provided by attorneys in the Republic of Serbia are billed in accordance with the new Tariff on Attorneys’ Fees and Reimbursements. The Managing Board of the Bar Association of Serbia decided to increase the value of one tariff unit from 45 dinars to 50 dinars, and the decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 56/2025. On paper, this looks like simple news: five dinars more per tariff unit. But for attorneys, the question is whether this really counts as an increase, or if it is just an illusion of growth that inflation has already swallowed. Tariff unit: The attorney’s currency For those who do not practice law every day, it is important
Collateral damage for US. EU. UK companies? How Russia's anti-sanctions litigation policy threatens cross-border dispute resolution in Kazakhstan
Russia's aggressive anti-sanctions judicial policy is reshaping the legal landscape of cross-border dispute resolution. By routinely disregarding both arbitration and forum selection clauses, Russian courts are asserting jurisdiction over disputes involving sanctioned Russian parties — regardless of prior contractual arrangements. This trend creates acute risks for foreign companies that engage with Russian counterparties and simultaneously operate or hold assets in Kazakhstan, as Russian judgments may be enforced there. In this article, we examine recent developments in Russia’s anti-sanctions litigation policy and assess their potential impact within Kazakhstan’s legal framework for the recognition and enforcement
Kinstellar Bratislava secures win for Magna Slovteca
Kinstellar’s dispute resolution team in Bratislava successfully represented Magna Slovteca in two separate legal disputes brought by suppliers seeking additional compensation based on unsubstantiated invoices. In both cases, the suppliers claimed alleged entitlement to supplementary compensation arising from their business relationship with Magna Slovteca. However, the claims lacked both legal merit and factual basis. Kinstellar convincingly demonstrated to the Slovak courts in both instances that the disputed invoices were unfounded and did not reflect any legitimate contractual entitlement.The courts fully dismissed both claims, and the rulings are now final and binding. Additionally, the claimants were ordered to reimburse
Kinstellar strengthens Vienna office with the appointment of Markus Taufner as Partner
Kinstellar is pleased to announce that Markus Taufner has joined its recently launched Vienna office as a Partner. Markus is a well-respected dispute resolution lawyer with strong expertise in commercial and corporate litigation. His addition enhances Kinstellar’s full-service capabilities in Austria and contributes to the Firm's continued growth across the CEE region. Markus has over a decade of experience in complex corporate and commercial disputes. He specialises in corporate litigation with a focus on shareholder claims, liability of board members, dismissal of managing directors, D&O insurance disputes, and M&A litigation. He also has substantial experience representing clients in internal investigations
Dispute resolution and arbitration expert József Antal joins Kinstellar as Special Counsel in Budapest
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that József Antal, a highly respected dispute resolution and arbitration expert, has joined the firm’s Budapest as Special Counsel. With over 25 years of experience, József is widely recognised for his expertise in arbitration, litigation, public procurement and commercial matters. His distinguished career in both private practice and in-house legal roles makes him a valuable addition as Kinstellar continues to grow its dispute resolution capabilities across the region. József has built a distinguished career advising international and domestic clients in high-stake disputes. He spent 20 years at Baker & McKenzie Budapest, where he led the dispute resolution team as a Partner.
Kinstellar secures major victory before the Romanian Supreme Court of Justice
Kinstellar Romania is pleased to announce the successful representation of a leading provider of cash payment services in Romania in a dispute recently finalized before the Romanian Supreme Court of Justice. This legally complex litigation stemmed from a high-value damage claim initiated by a former contractual partner, alleging harm as a result of our client’s lawful exercise of its legal and contractual rights. The case raised important Romanian legal questions regarding the limits of contractual rights and the broader implications of business decisions made within legally established entitlements. Given the legal complexity of the case and the existence of related judicial proceedings, the litigation team of Kinstellar