Instead of Introduction The Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU“) opened proceedings on Case C-619/23, Ronos, according to a request for a preliminary ruling by the Administrative Court of Sofia District – Bulgaria (“Court”). The Court requested an interpretation of the scope of powers of the Bulgarian antitrust authority (“CPC”) action in seizing conversations from a private mobile device during dawn raids carried out at premises of undertakings investigated for alleged cartel infringements. This request for a preliminary ruling on how EU law interacts with guarantees of basic human rights established in the Bulgarian Constitution gives the European […]
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Gecić | Law proudly announces that Ivana Stojanović Raišić, a key member of its legal team, has been honored as a 2024 TerraLex Trailblazing Woman. The prestigious recognition is awarded by TerraLex, an elite global network of independent law firms, as part of the celebrations of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. The honor celebrates remarkable individuals who have impacted their firms profoundly both professionally and personally and paved the way for future generations of women in the legal profession. Gecić Law is a proud exclusive member of TerraLex for the jurisdictuions of Serbia and Montenegro. Ivana’s selection as […]
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Introduction In the contemporary legal landscape, data privacy stands as a paramount concern, with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serving as the cornerstone legislation governing the processing of personal data within the European Union (EU) and beyond. Article 30 of the GDPR imposes a pivotal obligation on data controllers and processors to maintain a meticulous Record of Processing Activities (ROPA). This article endeavors to elucidate the intricacies surrounding Article 30, offering practical insights and dissecting the evolving practices of Data Privacy Authorities concerning ROPA compliance. Understanding Article 30 of GDPR GDPR Recital 82 states: “In order to demonstrate compliance […]
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Starting today, a significant development in regional cooperation has come to fruition. The unified labor market of the Open Balkan initiative officially commences. Citizens of Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia can now benefit from greater labor mobility across these three nations. The move is part of the effort to herald a new era of economic opportunity and growth in the region. How Will the Unified Labor Market Work? This initiative, spearheaded by the three countries’ leaders, aims to simplify the employment process across borders. Starting today, if a citizen of Serbia wishes to work in Albania or North Macedonia, they […]
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The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) has faced escalating challenges since its final draft release on January 20. Despite weeks of uncertainty and concerns over the proposal’s fate, supporters were buoyed by the European Council’s unexpected decision to schedule a vote for February 28. However, optimism quickly waned as the vote failed to garner sufficient support. This cast doubt on the CSDDD’s revival before the March 15 deadline for approval by the European Parliament. The Directive The CSDDD, also called the CS3D, aims to establish a corporate due diligence standard on sustainability issues within the EU. The […]
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Montenegro’s Renewable Energy Leap Montenegro has unveiled the Draft Renewable Energy Act as a significant step towards rapid renewable energy development. The legislation introduces several innovations, including auctions for premiums and feed-in tariffs, to boost the country’s green energy sector. The Ministry of Mining and Energy has organized a trio of round-table discussions in Podgorica, focusing on the Draft. This reflects Montenegro’s efforts to meet the requirements of the Energy Community, particularly in implementing the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive. Indeed, the Draft Renewable Energy Act sets an ambitious target of achieving a 50% share of renewable energy by 2030. This […]
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On February 8, 2024, the European Commission (“EC”) unveiled an updated Market Definition Notice (“the Notice”). The revision plays a crucial role in the EC’s approach to assessing mergers and antitrust cases by delineating the competitive boundaries and assessing the market power of companies. The Notice extends beyond EU Member States, mandating compliance from Western Balkan countries (“WBs“) aligned with the EU competition law acquis. Namely, all WBs, through the Stabilization and Association Agreements, have committed to enforce the criteria derived from the implementation of competition rules applicable in the EU, in particular from famous Articles 101, 102, 106 and […]
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Gecić Law proudly presents the latest edition of our ESG Chat @ Gecić Law series, we are focusing on the intersection of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues within the banking and finance sector. In this interview, we delve deep into the insights and perspectives of a distinguished ESG and CSR expert in Serbia, Sonja Konakov Svirčev, Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Erste Bank Serbia. Our guest expert shares their extensive knowledge of the role and significance of social responsibility within the broader ESG framework. She also emphasizes the strategic importance of socially responsible and sustainable business […]
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Gecić Law is elated to announce a landmark legal triumph in Kosovo marking a significant achievement in its history. The Independent Media Commission (IMC) in Priština annulled yesterday its decision from October 3, 2023, which had suspended the broadcasting of Arena Channels in its territory claiming alleged broadcasting of illegal content. The channels have now been reinstated and are free to broadcast cable networks in Kosovo. This triumph was realized through a strategic collaboration with Clifford Chance and Deloitte Legal’s local counsel, highlighting our firm’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and collaborative success in the legal domain. The collaboration was enriched […]
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In a landmark accomplishment, the collaborative efforts of Gecić Law’s ESG and EU Law teams, alongside Shibolet & Co.’s Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change team, in partnership with Sher Consulting & Training, have led to a significant milestone. This achievement marks the successful submission of the first CBAM reports from Israel in accordance with the EU’s new CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) regulation. This groundbreaking collaboration supports Israeli aluminum, steel, and iron exporters, addressing the challenges of a new era in environmental accountability. Importers successfully submitted their first CBAM reports, covering the fourth quarter of 2023, by the January 31, […]
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