Schoenherr advised Siemens Energy regarding a Joint Venture Agreement with Končar d.d. (ZSE, KOEI) for the production of transformer tanks. The new JVCo will be structured with Končar holding 60 % of the shares and Siemens Energy holding 40 %. The joint venture will establish a state-of-the-art transformer tank manufacturing facility at Končar's Sesvetski Kraljevec site, optimising and increasing the production capacities of Končar's transformer tanks business.

On 26 June 2024, the Romanian Competition Council (the "RCC") announced that it had conducted a dawn raid as part of an investigation concerning the possible abuse of a superior bargaining position by a company active in the supply of liquid medicinal oxygen against a public hospital. The investigation has been launched ex officio as a result of information received from public sources. The case is noteworthy as it marks the first time the RCC has launched a review regarding an alleged abuse of superior bargaining position, a relatively new type of infringement under Romanian competition rules.

The FDI and antitrust regimes are undergoing some significant changes, primarily aimed at standardising the gun-jumping regime. These changes seek to ensure a more consistent and predictable outcome for all investors, regardless of their nationality.

In a recent judgment, the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) held that the claim "climate neutral" is ambiguous and often misleading unless the advertisement itself explains its specific meaning. This sets a trend for Austria, where courts have traditionally followed the standards set by the BGH in relation to environmental advertising when assessing such claims under unfair competition law. On an EU level, the restrictions regarding claims about greenhouse gas emissions are becoming even stricter, leaving advertisers with much to consider before making claims such as "climate neutral".

Both Austrian national designs as well as Registered Community Designs with EU-wide protection can initially be filed without disclosure (i.e. secret applications). This means that their publication will be deferred. Secret design applications generally make sense if the applicant is interested in keeping a design undisclosed for as long as possible. The precise national and EU-wide regulations are not completely uniform.

In 2023 we advised a client in connection with the issuance of the first sustainability-linked bond by an Austrian corporation placed among international institutional investors as well as Austrian retail investors. Its main feature is that the coupon for the last year of the term will increase if one or both predefined step-up events linked to the issuer's sustainability targets occur.

A 2020 review of the Consumer Credit Directive (2008/48/EC) ("CCD I") by the European Commission (EC) found that CCD I has been only partially effective in ensuring a high level of consumer protection.

In our practice, we have found that the most common reason for distressed companies to initiate reorganisation measures is a severe liquidity squeeze.