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Regional report: Energy and natural resources trends in the CEE, Central and Southeast Asia for the year 2026
We are excited to release the second edition of the Report | Energy and Natural Resources Trends in the CEE, Central and Southeast Asia for the year 2026. This report provides an overview of the latest and upcoming developments in the energy and natural resources sector, with a particular focus on opportunities and advances in renewable energy, battery energy storage systems, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and oil and gas. It is tailored to the specific energy landscape of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Through this report, we aim to provide both new and existing investors in our markets with an overview
Dual distribution in automotive: Competition law risks and national approaches
This newsletter is the final entry in our three-part series on the legal aspects of transitioning to the agency model (where dealers become “agents” making sales on behalf of manufacturers) within the EU automotive sales sector. The first part focused primarily on the basic parameters of agency models and on the issues surrounding the termination of existing contractual agreements. The second newsletter focused on agency models in relation to consumers, outlining the key obligations and risks for manufacturers and agents. In this entry, we examine the competition law risks associated with both the agency and dual distribution (selling vehicles both through independent authorized dealers and directly to end-consumers)
Kinstellar and KST Law assist Simmons & Simmons on Wise Equity’s acquisition of a majority stake in Marullo
Kinstellar and KST Law have assisted Simmons & Simmons on Turkish law aspects related to the acquisition by Wise Equity, the Milan-based private equity firm, of a majority stake in Marullo. Marullo is recognized as a leader in pistachio products (including semi-finished and finished goods) based in Bronte, Sicily. The deal is designed to support the international growth and expansion of Marullo, strengthening its raw material procurement, and enhancing its position in the high-quality ingredient market. Marullo has a pistachio sourcing and initial processing subsidiary in Turkey. Partner Emre Edmund Özer, Senior Associate Sıla Şaylı and Associate Fırat Erin formed the core team advising the client on the
Understanding the legal landscape of private credits
Private credit has become one of the fastest‑growing segments of modern finance, offering flexible alternatives to traditional lending. Our cross‑border overview brings together the key legal questions that arise across 12 jurisdictions, helping investors, lenders, and borrowers navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This guide highlights the most important considerations—including licensing, security, financial assistance, tax aspects, and insolvency implications—to support more informed decision‑making in private credit transactions throughout Emerging Europe and Central Asia. Partner Tomáš Melišek drove the preparation of the material with the support of local teams of legal experts
Digital Product Passports: The regulatory shift fashion brands need to plan for
Fashion and luxury brands selling into the EU should prepare for a regulatory shift that will directly affect how products are documented, traced and placed on the market. Regulatory work is now intensifying on implementing measures, including the rollout of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). DPPs are becoming a central instrument in the EU’s strategy to advance circularity, transparency and sustainability. For the fashion industry, DPPs represent not only a compliance obligation, but a shift in how product data and supply chains are managed. DPPs as a new regulatory standard A Digital Product Passport will function as a product’s digital identity, containing information on origin, material composition
Navigating the MiCA landscape: Considerations for forum shopping in CEE and beyond
As the European financial market undergoes a major digital transformation, the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) stands out as a defining milestone. By introducing a harmonised legal framework, the EU is transforming from a frag mented regulatory landscape into the world’s largest single market for regulated digital assets. For crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and institutional investors, this shift offers a “single passport”, legitimising the industry and enabling growth. Yet the practical application of these rules varies across Member States, influenced by differences in administrative capacity, supervisory culture, and national legal traditions. Choosing a “home” jurisdiction
AI automation: The buzzword behind the layoff waive?
Layoffs have reached historic highs this year, and the AI arms race could be partly to blame. In the United States, over one million jobs were cut between January and October, up 65% from the same period in 2024, according to a report by outplacement specialists Challenger, Gray & Christmas. From Amazon and UPS to Microsoft and Meta, a growing number of companies are restructuring their workforce as they adopt AI at scale. These decisions raise a broader question: how far and how fast can companies go when replacing human work with artificial intelligence? While automation at scale is not a one-size-fits-all solution, the hard truth is that the skills and jobs needed in the future of work are still largely unknown. As
Alternative distribution models in the automotive sector: Consumer protections and liabilities
Alternative distribution models based on direct sales to consumers can be carried out with the varied involvement of traditional dealers. This means, among other things, producers taking on a significant number of consumer law obligations previously borne by dealers. In any event, the actual liability of producers in relation to direct sales depends on the respective contractual terms between manufacturers and agents. For example, in Austria, the differing contractual terms between a producer and agent, and an agent and customer, can lead to the following scenarios: a) a commercial agent selling vehicles in the name of the manufacturer while the manufacturer as the seller remains fully liable in terms of contractual
Regional Competition Law Update – Q3 2025
Kinstellar’s Competition & FDI team is pleased to present the Q3 2025 update to our Regional Competition Review. This latest edition provides a snapshot of recent enforcement activity, legislative changes, and emerging trends across Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. Key highlights include the introduction of new “call-in” powers in Bulgaria, as well as proposed and newly implemented FDI regimes in Croatia and Ukraine, alongside a range of developments that are reshaping competition and FDI control across the region, such as: Austria – Enforcement and energy market focus Czech Republic – Merger remedies, sector inquiries, and cartel fines Romania
Alternative distribution models in the automotive sector: Contractual law issues
The European automotive industry is in the midst of a profound transformation. Traditional dealership networks are being redefined, with manufacturers increasingly weighing direct-to-consumer, agency, or hybrid sales models. While such innovations can enhance brand control and customer engagement on the part of manufacturers, they also raise complex contractual law issues related to commercial and legal sustainability. At the centre of these challenges is the reality that altering hitherto existing distribution models requires substantial changes to existing contractual relationships. After all, most dealership agreements contain detailed provisions on exclusivity, termination rights, and non-compete obligations. Failure
Transitioning to an agency model in automotive sales: The pros and cons from a legal perspective
The automotive industry is entering a new era – not only in terms of technology and electromobility but also in terms of how vehicles are sold. Certain manufacturers are shifting away from the traditional dealership model towards alternative sales models, such as agency system, while many others remain wary about the viability of such alternatives. Traditionally, manufacturers would sell cars through dealerships, who acted both as buyers and as agents. Dealers would typically purchase vehicles, hold inventory, and then sell cars to customers, earning profits from sales margins and commissions. Under the new agency model, dealers will act as sales agents directly for manufacturers. They will thus no longer purchase
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