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Abuse of sick leave in Serbia: Legal perspectives on employees performing paid work during sick leave
According to the established case law of the Serbian Supreme Court, sick leave abuse occurs when sick leave is used at a time when an employee is not actually ill and is capable of working, as well as when an employee, during the period of incapacity, behaves in a manner contrary to the prescribed treatment or purpose for which sick leave was approved. Therefore, in the court’s view, for an abuse of sick leave to occur, the employee’s conduct depending on the nature of their illness must prevent their recovery or worsen their health condition. Consequently, in relation to court proceedings and the position taken by the court, the fact that an employee is engaged in other income-generating activities during their sick
CbC reporting in Ukraine for companies in U.S.-headquartered multinational enterprise groups: First reporting FY2024
Ukrainian taxpayers operating within multinational enterprise groups (MNEs) with consolidated annual revenues exceeding EUR 750 million may, for the first time in 2025, be required to independently file Country-by-Country (CbC) reports. This applies in particular to companies that are part of MNEs with a U.S.-based ultimate parent entity. Please read the complete overview below in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:
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
Auction for the concession of 18 mineral perimeters launched in Romania
Romania’s National Regulatory Authority for Mining, Petroleum and Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide (ANRMPSG) has announced a new bidding procedure for 18 exploration concessions, as outlined in Order no. 280/2025, published in the Official Gazette of Romania on 10 June 2025. This bidding round includes mineral deposits such as limestone (industrial and construction alike), dolerite, salt, lignite, coal, tar sand, polymetallic ore (including gold-silver ore), graphite and feldspar. The concession areas are primarily located in Western Romania (Caras-Severin, Hunedoara, Mehedinti, Valcea, Gorj and Bihor counties), with additional sites in Wallachia and Moldavia. Romanian and international companies interested
Cyberbullying: How can employers in Romania address inappropriate behaviour in hybrid or remote work environments?
In a world where the boundaries between the physical and virtual office are increasingly blurred, employers are facing a new and complex challenge: cyberbullying. From passive-aggressive messages in a team chat to an inappropriate joke on an internal platform, subtle forms of harassment can have serious consequences for employees’ emotional well-being and the overall organisational climate. So how can employers manage and prevent such situations in order to protect both their employees and the company’s reputation? A new type of challenge: What Is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying refers to any form of aggressive, intimidating, or abusive behaviour carried out through digital technologies such as emails, instant
Labour relations under Martial Law: Recent amendments in Ukraine
Ukraine has adopted important changes to the legal framework regulating labour relations during martial law. The latest amendments impose new obligations on both employers and employees, including updated rules on communication, stricter dismissal restrictions, and limitations on the suspension of employment agreements. Please read the complete overview below in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:
European Court of Justice reviews directors’ liability for cartel fines
Cartel fines, which can amount up to 10% of a company’s global group turnover, represent one of the most significant enforcement instruments in European competition law. With both the frequency and the magnitude of such cartel fines on the rise, companies are increasingly exploring the possibility of seeking recourse from managing directors. The admissibility of such damage claims is currently subject of preliminary ruling proceedings before the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”). 1. Facts of the case The Cartel Senate of the German Supreme Court (“BGH”, case no. KZR 74/23) referred a case to the ECJ involving a former managing director of a German limited liability company who simultaneously served as
The European Accessibility Act: Compliance or consequences? Is your business prepared?
The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) (“EAA”) represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for private sector businesses across the European Union. Introduced to harmonise accessibility requirements for key products and services, the EAA is designed to improve access for persons with disabilities and foster a more inclusive internal market. With its full application date set for 28 June 2025, business entities that have not yet assessed their compliance posture face growing legal, operational, and reputational risks. The EAA expands beyond earlier public sector-focused legislation and applies to a wide range of industries—from tech to banking, telecoms, and e-commerce—making timely
Ukraine competition law update: Key developments Q2 2025
In a key ruling, Ukraine’s Supreme Court has upheld a previously overturned conditional merger clearance by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC) concerning two major Ukraine-based cement producers, namely CRH Ukraine and Dyckerhoff Cement Ukraine. Back in September 2024, the Commercial Court of Kyiv annulled a conditional merger clearance issued by the AMC for the CRH-Dyckerhoff transaction. Approved earlier that same month[1], with stipulated obligations related to production levels and fair market access, the merger clearance soon faced a legal challenge from competitor Kovalska, leading to months of litigation. Kovalska alleged that the AMC’s Phase II investigation lacked an adequate competitive analysis, particularly
Kinstellar’s Regional Competition Law Update: Mid-Year Insights 2025
We are pleased to share this mid-year update to Kinstellar’s Regional 2025 Competition Review and 2026 Outlook. This document provides a snapshot of the latest competition law developments in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey, covering key enforcement actions, legislative updates, and regulatory trends observed in the first half of 2025.As always, our aim is to keep clients and partners informed and equipped to respond to ongoing changes in the regulatory landscape.We hope you find this update useful and welcome the opportunity to discuss its implications for your business. Read more in our brochure below: DO WNLOAD BROCHURE
Protecting lease rights in Austria: Consequences of insolvency and (compulsory) sale of premises
The current economic situation is causing an increasing number of lessees to have concerns about the financial situation of their lessors and the stability of their lease rights. In this context, the question often arises as to what effect (i) the opening of insolvency proceedings against a lessor's assets, and/or (ii) the (compulsory) sale of the property on which the leased premises are located have on the lease agreement. 1. Opening of insolvency proceedings against the assets of a lessor In Austria, the opening of insolvency proceedings against the assets of a lessor has no effect on the existence and the content of a lease agreement. Pursuant to Section 24 of the Insolvency Act (Insolvenzordnung), the insolvency
Amendment to the Slovak Act on Information Technologies in Public Administration
The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic has submitted a proposal to amend the Act on Information Technologies in Public Administration. Its aim is to strengthen the management of the state's digital assets, increase cybersecurity resilience, and introduce clear rules for the use of artificial intelligence in public administration. From the state’s perspective, this is an ambitious reform, but for IT solution suppliers, it introduces numerous negative consequences that fundamentally change the existing contractual practices and business environment. Below is a summary of the key changes and their practical impacts on businesses. 1. Special copyright regime for public