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Musat & Asociatii is ‘among the best in town’ for energy matters, and is noted for its ‘excellent service level and great industry, legal and regulatory framework knowledge’. It recently advised Enel Green Power on the development of three wind farms totalling 310MW, and also acted on the €1.3bn Tarnita-Lapustesti hydropower plant project. George Musat is ‘a real team leader’, practice co-head Luminita Popa ‘runs a good team’, and fellow co-head Miruna Suciu is ‘a powerhouse lawyer in energy and M&A’. Cleopatra Leahu was promoted to the partnership.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen has ‘one of the most experienced’ energy practices in Romania, which encompasses the full range of energy and natural resources matters. Mandates included advising an oil and gas company on offshore petroleum exploration, and assisting Chinese parties with the acquisition of 50MW photovoltaic power plants. Other clients include GDF Suez Energy Romania and Polyus Gold International. Gabriela Cacerea co-heads the practice alongside the ‘very experienced and reliable’ Ruxandra Bologa.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s team is praised for ‘going beyond the pure legal issues’. The team is an adviser to CEZ, which it is currently representing on the second phase of a 600MW wind farm project. It also represents Energy Holding on various corporate and regulatory matters, and is acting for Gabriel Resources on a €4bn gold mining project. Irina Moinescu is ‘very responsive and rigorous’, and, on the contentious side, Ioana Gelepu and Sorin Vladescu are recommended.

CMS’ team is led by corporate partner John Fitzpatrick and includes project finance specialist Simon Dayes. In 2012, it advised Iberdrola Energias Renovables on the second phase of a 1,200MW wind farm development; and LJG Green Source Alpha on a 45MW solar power plant. It also acts for EBRD in project finance matters.

Dentons advised GDF Suez on the acquisition of its first wind farm in Romania, and the Monsson Group on the sale of a 108MW wind farm to German electricity producer STEAG. It is also advising clients on the acquisition and development of solar energy parks. Practice head Claudiu Munteanu Jipescu has ‘extensive experience on the corporate side and is very dedicated to the client’.

Kinstellar’s team is ‘co-ordinated, experienced, and delivers swift and easy-to-understand solutions’. It is acting for E.ON Romania on gas distribution and electricity matters, as well as for Iberdrola on nuclear energy issues and a range of wind and solar energy developments. Practice head Stefan Botezatu is ‘quite a remarkable lawyer who has the ability to combine perfectly an in-depth and broad legal knowledge with a practical approach’.

Peli Filip is ‘among the best energy law firms in Romania’. The team is currently acting on the development, sale and acquisition of various wind farms, totalling over 900MW. It is also advising OMV Petrom on the development of an 800MW combined-cycle co-generation plant. Practice head Cristina Filip is ‘the best energy lawyer in Romania’. Filip and Monica Iancu ‘make an excellent team’.

Popovici Nitu & Asociatii is particularly recommended for renewable energy work. It is advising Filasa International on a €780m investment in 11 wind farm, and acts for a range of clients on other wind farm and photovoltaic projects. Ernest-Vigil Popovici and Vlad Neacsu are recommended.

Schoenherr si Asociatii SCA is advising clients such as Verbund and EDP Renewables Europe on the development and acquisition of wind farms, and acting for Samsung Deutschland and Edison on the development of solar PV parks. The team is also advising the European Commission on the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive. Monica Cojocaru and Markus Piuk are the key partners.

White & Case, Pachiu SCA is ‘definitely the firm to bring on board for cutting-edge projects’. The group continues to advise EnergoNuclear on the development of Romania’s €4bn nuclear power plant. It is also acting on the development of wind farms and photovoltaic projects. Practice head Delia Pachiu is ‘a resourceful lawyer, with remarkable insight and vast experience in the field’.

Buzescu Ca provides energy trading advice to energy companies, such as Gazprom Marketing and Trading, and global investment banks including Merrill Lynch Commodities. It also advised Beach Energy and Independent Resources on farm-out agreements relating to oil and gas exploration. Managing partner Peter Buzescu is ‘very organised’, Corina Papuzu is ‘technically very well prepared’, and Magda Alexandru has ‘solid legal expertise’.

Clifford Chance Badea is ‘highly knowledgeable’ on energy matters, and is particularly active within the wind and solar sectors. It has been advising EDP Renováveis on the development of a 230MW wind farm, and recently acted for Eco Silak in relation to hydropower micro-projects. Madalina Rachieru is ‘highly professional, proactive and always able to provide the right piece of advice’.

DLA Piper Dinu SCA’s ‘top-level professional skills and knowledge of local peculiarities is a perfect mix for doing business in Romania’. The group recently acted for OMV Trading on matters including power purchase agreements and regulatory issues, and advised Enel Green Power Romania on the acquisition of a number of wind farms. Ramona Volciuc-Ionescu is ‘very sharp’.

RTPR Allen & Overy (Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP)’s energy team recently advised a strategic investor on the acquisition of an oil and gas company. It is also active in the wind and photovoltaic sectors. Costin Tărăcilă, Victor Pădurari and Mihai Ristici are the key partners.

Voicu & Filipescu SCA has ‘thorough knowledge of the Romanian energy sector’. In 2012, it advised Belgian company Electrawinds on the acquisition of a 123MW wind farm in Romania. It continues to advise German oil and gas company SET Select Energy. Daniel Costea and Marta Popa are the practice co-heads.

Wolf Theiss’ ‘service is fantastic; it always responds promptly, its knowledge in the field is excellent and it is very well connected’. The team is noted for its renewable energy expertise, and recently advised Vestas on its €924m investment in 20 wind farm projects totalling 600MW. Other clients include Lukerg, Kelag and Gemini. Ciprian Glodeanu is the standout lawyer.

Anghel Stabb & Partners provides ‘a responsive, commercial and no-nonsense service, which is also exceptional value for money’. The team acts for biogas company Ener-G, and advised Thetford Avanti on the development of a wind farm. Monica Biciusca and David Stabb provide ‘first-rate, timely and well-balanced legal assistance’.

bpv Grigorescu Stefánicá’s ‘excellent’ team advises E.ON on all matters concerning the 800MW BPC Braila project. Other clients include Regal Petroleum and Ener-G. Anca Albulescu heads the team, and managing partner Catalin Grigorescu is ‘a very experienced lawyer with excellent communication skills’.

Bostina & Associates is active across the solar, wind and hydropower sectors. Its experience includes acting for Windexpert on a 600MW wind farm. Dana Dunel-Stancu heads the practice.

Bulboaca & Asociatii is noted for its renewable energy expertise. It continued to advise a consortium of energy companies on the €1bn structuring and negotiation of an operational agreement for a 700MW wind farm project. It also advised Martifer Group and Windkraft Simonsfeld on the sale of wind farms. Cosmin Stavaru is the key partner.

D&B David si Baias provides corporate advice to OMV Petrom, and acted for Eni in a competition case relating to an alleged cartel in the gasoline market. Anda Rojanschi and Sorin David are the key contacts.

Eversheds Lina & Guia is advising Altergie on the development of two photovoltaic plants, and continues to act for Eco2 on the greenfield development of a biomass project. Christian Lina heads the practice.

Gide Loyrette Nouel’s client base includes GDF Suez, Expert Petroleum and Solveo Energie. In 2012, the team advised on the acquisition of wind farms and photovoltaic plants. Bruno Leroy and Andreea Toma are the main partners.

Hammond, Bogaru and Associates SCPA has expertise in electricity and renewables, particularly the photovoltaic and wind sectors. Nicholas Hammond heads the group.

McGregor & Partners S.C.A.’s strengths lie in wind, solar and hydropower. It recently acted on the development of a 70MW wind farm.

Pachiu & Associates advised GE Energy and Prowind on the €100m development of several onshore wind farms, and also represented a US company in its bid for oil and gas exploration concession licences. Delia Vasiliu is the main contact.

Platis Bazilescu LLLP provides corporate support to clients in the wind energy sector, such as Enolia Frey Nouvelles Energies, and energy traders including Sencap. Senior associate Radu Ionescu heads the team.

Vernon | David recently advised on the potential acquisition of a large wind farm. It also provides general support to energy sector clients such as Xannat Minerals, TMK and BP. Daniela David and Diana Neagu jointly lead the practice.

Vilau & Mitel advised Eurocape New Energy on the development of a €138m wind farm, and assisted petrochemicals business Oltchim with obtaining guarantees for its €424m investment programme. Sorin Mitel and Dragos Vilau are the practice co-heads.

Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu Attorneys at Law is advising Vimetco Power on the development of a 250MW combined-cycle gas turbine power plant. Its expertise also includes solar and wind energy. Ioana Racoti is the main contact.

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Legal Developments in Romania for Energy and natural resources

  • Romania: Wind of change on the Romanian renewable energy market - part II

    In the Legal Insights edition of 18 March 2013, we presented the potential changes to the Romanian renewable energy scheme, resulting from an unofficial working draft Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) circulated on the market. This Tuesday (2 April 2013), a draft Government Emergency Ordinance on the amendment of Law no. 220/2008 was officially published on the website of the Ministry of Economy. The public is invited to submit comment within the next 30 days, to the e-mail address dezbateri_publice@minind.ro .
    - Schönherr

Legal Developments in Romania

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Romania: Wind of change on the Romanian renewable energy market - part II

    In the Legal Insights edition of 18 March 2013, we presented the potential changes to the Romanian renewable energy scheme, resulting from an unofficial working draft Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) circulated on the market. This Tuesday (2 April 2013), a draft Government Emergency Ordinance on the amendment of Law no. 220/2008 was officially published on the website of the Ministry of Economy. The public is invited to submit comment within the next 30 days, to the e-mail address dezbateri_publice@minind.ro .
  • Romania: Wind of change on the Romanian renewable energy market

    Romania seems to be one of the most attractive CEE jurisdictions for renewable energy investments, due to the generous support scheme which generated increasing enthusiasm over the past few years. Implemented in 2005, the support scheme for renewable energy (RES) consisting of tradable green certificates (GCs) combined with mandatory acquisition quotas was improved in 2008 and subsequently in 2010, but was only applicable as of mid-2011, upon state aid clearance from the European Commission (EC).
  • How can the Romanian Constitution be revised

    Although its stability over time represents the essence of the Romanian Constitution (the “Constitution”) and of any constitution, such fundamental law within the Romanian legal system should at the same time, at any moment, represent both a frame of reference for the Romanian social, political and economical life and a reflection of such. Given the accelerated changes within the society, in order for the Constitution to be brought in line with the overall social, political and economical evolution and perspectives, a procedure for its revision and also the limitations in what regards the possibility for the Constitution to be revised are established by this fundamental law itself. .
  • Romania: New financial and fiscal legislative amendments

    Government emergency ordinance no. 8/2013 for the amendment and supplementation of Law no. 571/2003 regarding the Fiscal Code and the regulation of certain financial and fiscal measures (published in the Official Gazette no. 54/23.01.2013) enters into force starting from 1 February 2013. GEO 8 introduces a number of important amendments and supplementa-tions in the fiscal legislation. We shall further present some of the amendments related to di-rect taxation, respectively to social insurance.
  • COMMITMENTS PROCEDURE IN ANTITRUST CASES BEFORE THE ROMANIAN COMPETITION COUNCIL

    1. Background The Romanian Competition Law no. 21/1996 (the " Law ") has been adopted and amended on various occasions so that it reflects the evolution of the competition law provisions in the EU. On 6 July 2010 the Law has been substantially amended, introducing among other institutions the commitments procedure for anticompetitive practices. Previously, the commitments were available only in merger cases under the form of remedies. The commitments procedure has been detailed in RCC guidelines issued in December 2010 (the " Guidelines "), which have been amended at the end of year 2012.
  • Romania: Proposed new OTC trading arrange-ments for electricity

    Friday (11 January 2013), the Romanian energy market regulator (ANRE) published on its website for public consultation a proposal for a procedure and regulation on OTC electricity trading (the "Proposal"). ANRE has invited stakeholders to submit their comments by 21 January 2013.
  • VAT challenges in 2012; there’s plenty to come

    If the Romanian taxation system were under any sign, it would surely not have been Libra this year. Hence, the unbalanced practice of abrupt or disputed changes to the tax legislation persisted in disregarding the principles set forth in art. 4 of the Romanian Fiscal Code, whereby (i) the code is to be amended solely based on a law, (ii) the amending law must be advocated for, as a rule, six months prior to its entry into force, and (iii) any amendment to the code will enter into force starting the 1st of January following the year it was adopted.
  • The new 2012 Arbitration Rules of the Court of International Commercial Arbitration Court

    Authors: Luminita Popa, Partner Musat & Asociatii, Iulian Popescu, Partner Musat & Asociatii
  • Termination of Distribution Agreements in Romania

    The absence of a contract regulating the duration and termination of a distribution relationship does not necessarily entitle a party to abruptly terminate the agreement without facing financial exposure to the other party. In particular, a reasonable notice period should be given to allow the other party to adapt its business operations.
  • Guarantees under the New Civil Code

    After the New Civil Code entered into force on October 1, 2011, significant amendments were brought to the legal framework regulating the guarantees’ field, either by effective legislative changes to the existing institutions or by introduction of new types of guarantees. The New Civil Code also changed the terminology in the field (e.g. “mortgage” designates both securities over real estate and movable assets, while “pledge” is now referring only to a security interest with dispossession).

Press Releases in Romania

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to