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BDV energy team (led by partners Laurenz W. Vuchetich and Tomislav Sadrić, alongside senior associate Anamarija Javor) advised and represented IGeoPen d.o.o. in energy regulatory matters and in the process of successfully winning 5-year permits for the exploration of geothermal water areas “Pčelić” and “Sječe” based on a tender conducted by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. The remaining permits were awarded to the largest Croatian oil company INA Grupa – Industrija nafte d.d. and Viola Energy Generation d.o.o.
More information can be found at the following link: https://lnkd.in/dAWq7U9R
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Greatly awaited international conference “Sunny Days 2023” organized by Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia was held last week in Bol, Island of Brač.
The conference is dedicated to the use of solar energy. It aims to identify methods to improve solar energy efficiency and strengthen project development through joint discussions, exchange of expertise and experiences.
BDV partner Tomislav Sadrić contributed as moderator to the panel discussion on “ENERGY CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY”. Tomislav guided the conversation by asking insightful questions, primarily focusing on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) as a key tool in the development of renewable energy projects. Our partner Laurenz Vuchetich also participated in the conference.
We thank the organizers and congratulate all the panelists on their excellent presentations. It was a pleasure to be part of such an impressive conference.
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[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Our partners, Laurenz W. Vuchetich and Tomislav Sadrić participated in the PowerUp conference, organized by E.ON Hrvatska, at the inspiring Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb.
Key experts from the energy sector presented their views on finding solutions for a faster green transition in the Croatian energy market. Urging challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources were discussed, as well as possible solutions for better energy efficiency, increased independence, and reduction of CO2 emissions.
We thank E.ON Hrvatska for the meticulous organization and the invitation.
The E.ON Group is one of Europe’s largest operators of energy networks and energy infrastructure and a provider of innovative customer solutions for 50 million customers.
More information about the conference: https://lnkd.in/eJS3UYmF[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]BDV proudly shares its recognition in The Legal 500 (Legalease) EMEA 2023 rankings as TIER 1 firm.
The Legal 500 analyses the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.
BDV has been recognized across 5 categories: (i) Commercial, Corporate and M&A, (ii) Banking, Finance and Capital Markets, (iii) Dispute Resolution, (iv) EU and Competition, and (v) Real Estate and Construction.
Legalease highlights the BDV team as “responsive, efficient, and knowledgeable” … “composed of highly competent and resourceful young professionals, with a wealth of experience in handling complex and challenging matters”. BDV tax department received special praise for its “tax structuring expertise” (Commercial, Corporate and M&A) and “tax controversy” mandates (Dispute Resolution).
Legal 500 also recognized all BDV partners individually:
Laurenz W. Vuchetich as “contact for M&A work”…“eloquent, thorough, reasonable and very pleasant to work with”, Ivan Dvojkovic as “very calm and objective, even in the most stressful situations” and “contact on both the buy and sell-side of M&A transactions”, and Vladimir A. Batarelo as “talented, excellent and trustworthy lawyer” who “provides additional value to clients by dint of his tax structuring expertise”.
Marko Bohaček is praised as a Rising Star and is recognized for his exceptional work in Banking, Finance and Capital Markets.
Tomislav Sadrić is recognized alongside Laurenz Vuchetich for his pivotal experience in Real Estate and Construction and highlighted for “abundant knowledge and experience in real estate-related matters”. Additionally, Tomislav is recognized in the EU and Competition, alongside Ivan Dvojković.
BDV has also proven its expertise by being recognized in Dispute Resolution, regarded as an “experienced and knowledgeable team”.
We thank our clients for entrusting us with their complex mandates.
Detailed information about the rankings can be found at the following link: [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]For the next two days, the 4th meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) is taking place in Zagreb, at the Westin Hotel, organized by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, Croatian Ministry of Economy, and Croatian Ministry of Sustainable Development.
Laurenz W. Vuchetich and Tomislav Sadrić, BDV’s partners, have been invited to participate in the meeting. CEOs and other high-level public and private industry leaders are discussing energy security, energy transition, and infrastructure projects. Further topics will cover discussion of enhancing solidarity among European countries amidst the current energy crisis.
P-TECC is a US Department of Energy-led multilateral initiative that focuses on the rapid decarbonization of Central and Eastern European economies, helping strengthen energy security in the region, create business connections with US companies, and foster cooperation.
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[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]A conference of the project “Reinforcing the system of court-annexed mediation” was organized by the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration and Norwegian Courts Administration.
The main goal of the project is to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the judicial system in the Republic of Croatia. The project involves cross-border cooperation, involving the comparison of the existing mediation system with those in other European countries – Norway, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland. For this purpose, the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration organized study visits to the mentioned jurisdictions. The participants of the study visits were dispute resolution experts who exchanged experiences with European experts on the implementation of advanced dispute resolution models in their jurisdictions.
The total value of the project is estimated at 1.5 million euros, and 85% was financed by a Norwegian grant.
As we have reported previously – BDV was engaged by the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration to prepare a comprehensive in-depth written study on the mediation system in Croatia. The study analyses the potential shortcomings of the current Croatian legal framework for mediation, as well as lays down an extensive list of recommendations on how to both enhance and improve this framework. In drafting this study, BDV team paid particular attention to the undisputable fact that different types of disputes require different types of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms – same solutions cannot be equally applied in the case of commercial and consumer disputes in Croatia. This approach resulted in a creation of a comprehensive study that may serve as a basis for further legislative reforms on alternative dispute resolution in nearly any major area of Croatian local law.
The conference presented the monitoring of the project’s implementation and all its related activities. Our representatives, Marko Karlo Bohaček, Monika Rakitničan and Tomislav Sadrić, shared their own experiences and views of the held study visits.
We thank our colleagues from the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration for their cooperation and all the effort put into the implementation of the project. BDV will continue closely observing the development of alternative dispute resolution structures in Croatia and will strive to contribute within our field of expertise.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_single_image image=”4453″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The international scientific gathering – the “Motovun Colloquium”, for the ninth year in a row, took place in Motovun under the co-organization of our partner Tomislav Sadrić. The main topic of the colloquium was “protection of life in crises and crisis situations”. The theme was elicited by the current crisis and the coronavirus pandemic which had severe impact on our every-day lives.
Tomislav delivered his views about the significant chain of events caused by the European energy crisis. Special attention was brought to the local communities and their entities. Energy supply problems are affecting each level of society, but most notably citizens, institutions, and entrepreneurs at the local level. Therefore, Tomislav introduced the existing legal and organizational opportunities which could help facilitate reaching more favorable, greener, and sustainable energy. Further, the potential for the development of RES projects, the benefits of energy communities, corporate PPAs, and the implementation of agrosolars in agricultural production have been discussed and analyzed.
Congrats to Tomislav and all the participants for the insightful event![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]ICC Croatia and Hrvatska gospodarska komora hosted a two-day outstanding ICCFIDIC conference in beautiful Dubrovnik.
Our Partner Tomislav Sadrić participated at the conference which served to gather the world’s leading construction practitioners and provided participants with an update on the latest industry trends and developments.
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[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]BDV is the first law firm that recognized the importance of sectoral connection and cooperation with the stakeholders of the RES industry in Croatia, and recently became a member of the Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia.
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[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]We are proud to announce the promotion of our attorneys Marko K. Bohaček and Tomislav Sadrić to Partners, as highly valued and committed key members of our team. By handling complex and challenging matters, their work has constantly been recognised by our clients. With their extensive experience, they will continue to add value within the growth of the firm.
Marko advises clients in corporate matters, specifically involving mergers and acquisitions, and an industry focus in banking, financial services and IT. He has also extensively advised clients in shareholder disputes and restructuring matters and is recognized as a successful attorney in court and arbitration proceedings.
Tomislav heads our real estate practice and is a member of our dispute resolution team with an industry focus on infrastructure, energy, and transport. Tomislav handles various complex real estate matters, both transactionally and in court. He is also frequently advising clients on public procurement, concessions, and State aid matters.
This partnership not only reflects their professional expertise and quality of service, it also highlights BDV commitment to supporting our lawyers as they develop and progress their careers.
Congrats to our colleagues for their promotion and wishing them the best of success in their new role![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
BDV advised the Ministry of Justice of Croatia in the successful completion of a comprehensive in-depth written study related to mediation.
The written study drafted by the BDV team is over 130 pages long. It analysed the potential shortcomings of the current Croatian legal framework for mediation, as well as lays down an extensive list of recommendations on how to both enhance and improve this framework. The proposed measures are not just limited to improving the existing judicial and extrajudicial mediation procedures, but also encourage other types of alternative dispute resolution procedures that are widely considered the best means of dispute resolution in various areas of law today.
In drafting this study, BDV team paid particular attention to the undisputable fact that different types of disputes require different types of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms – same solutions cannot be equally applied in a case of commercial and consumer disputes in Croatia. This approach resulted in a creation of a comprehensive study that may serve as a basis for further legislative reforms on alternative dispute resolution in nearly any major area of Croatian local law.
BDV team that worked on a study consisted of Vladimir A. Batarelo, Laurenz W. Vuchetich, Tomislav Sadrić, Marko K. Bohaček and Fran Marko Stojković.
Tomislav Sadrić visited Lisbon as a member of the national delegation of dispute resolution experts. The aim of the visit was to meet leading Portuguese experts and to exchange experiences on implementing advanced models of dispute resolution in both jurisdictions. During the visit, Croatian delegation visited Portuguese Directorate-General for Justice Policy, Lisbon’s Central Civil Court, and the High Judicial Council.
We thank our colleagues from the Ministry of Justice of Croatia for their invaluable support throughout the process. BDV will continue closely observing the development of alternative dispute resolution structures in Croatia and will strive to contribute within our field of expertise.
Our attorney Tomislav Sadrić participated on a conference “COMPETITION LAW (IN PANDEMIC TIMES): CHALLENGES AND REFORMS“, with his presentation on the topic „New Tendencies in Public Procurement – a way towards levelling playing field or a glimpse of protectionism?“. Conference was organised by Jean Monnet Module for Competition Law of Faculty of Law and Faculty of Economics in Osijek in cooperation with the Croatian Association for Competition Law and Policy.
On 8 May 2021, less than a year after the White paper on levelling the playing field as regards foreign subsidies was released, the EU Commission published the Proposal for a Regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market. The Proposal is intended as an EU response to the market distortions, caused by foreign subsidies used by companies with third country background, in order to achieve advantageous position on the internal market over their EU-based competitors.
The Proposal is designed to tackle foreign subsidies generally, and in particular in the fields of concentrations and public procurement. According to the Proposal, a foreign subsidy shall be deemed to exist where a third country provides a financial contribution which confers a benefit to an undertaking engaging in an economic activity in the internal market and which is limited, in law or in fact, to an individual undertaking or industry or to several undertakings or industries.
In case the estimated value of individual procurement is equal or greater of EUR 250 million, the Proposal envisages obligatory notifications of foreign subsidies for all economic operators submitting a tender. The Commission may request the notification even if the estimated value of the procurement is under the threshold if it suspects that an undertaking may have benefitted from foreign subsidies.
Only foreign subsidies granted during the three years prior to the notification shall be taken into account. In its notification, an economic operator should provide information on subsidies received by itself, but also on subsidies received by its main subcontractors and main suppliers. Notifications are to be submitted to a contracting authority conducting a procurement, and without delay forwarded to the Commission. The Commission shall initiate a preliminary review procedure, followed with an in-depth investigation if the results of a preliminary review show sufficient indications of the existence of a foreign subsidy distorting the internal market. If initiated, an in-depth investigation should result in the Commission adopting one of the following decisions:
a no objection decision, if it finds that the preliminary assessment as set out in its decision to initiate the in-depth investigation is not confirmed, or if a distortion on the internal market is outweighed by positive effects;
a decision with commitments, if it finds that a foreign subsidy distorts the internal market and the undertaking concerned offers commitments that fully and effectively remove the distortion on the internal market;
a decision prohibiting the award of the contract, if it finds that a foreign subsidy distorts the internal market, and the undertaking concerned does not offer commitments or where the Commission considers that the commitments offered are neither appropriate nor sufficient to fully and effectively remove the distortion.
The Proposal should now enter the ordinary legislative procedure within the EU institutions. If adopted, it could result in a significant increase of the administrative burden on undertakings wishing to participate in large-scale public procurements procedures in EU.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
We are pleased to announce that #BDV team, led by partner Vladimir Ante Batarelo and attorney at law Tomislav Sadrić, represented a client at a hearing held before #ECJ, in what is considered to be the first Croatian case ever brought before the #ECJ in tax proceedings. The hearing was held upon the Administrative Court’s request for preliminary ruling in VAT-related case where the ECJ was asked to clarify the scope and application of Art 135/1 (b) and (d) VAT Directive in relation to the services carried our by Croatian company.
This proceeding represents a significant leap forward in tax controversy matters in Croatia. We hope this will be an example for further request submissions for preliminary rulings in tax cases – contributing to deeper implementation of EU Law in tax related cases.
[vc_row equal_columns=”true”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]BDV is delighted to announce that Tomislav Sadrić has joined our team as an attorney at law.
Tomislav will strengthen our dispute resolution practice with an industry focus on financial services, energy and transport.
Tomislav represents clients in complex litigation proceedings before commercial courts and also advises clients on public procurement matters.
Tomislav was previously a team member at a leading national law firm.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
