The Legal 500

GALLERY IMPORTANNE, IBLEROV TRG 10/VII, PO BOX 92, 10 000 ZAGREB, CROATIA
Tel:
Work +385 1 469 3999
Fax:
Fax +385 1 469 3900
Web:
www.porobija.hr
Email:

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Croatia

Banking, finance and capital markets

Within Banking, finance and capital markets , Porobija & Porobija is a first tier firm,

Porobija & Porobija has an excellent track record, particularly on the lender side of major commercial loans and financings (notably project finance). Its capital markets credibility was reflected by its selection to act as local counsel for the lead managers – Barclays, Citigroup and JPMorgan Securities – in the Republic of Croatia’s $1.25bn international bond issue during 2010. Other recent clients include Eksportfinans and Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich. Željka Rostaš Blažekovic heads the practice.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Porobija & Porobija is a second tier firm,

Porobija & Porobija has a good reputation for transactions involving companies, shares or assets. It advised Shell International on divesting a stake in a Croatian subsidiary, represented the sellers in divesting a majority stake in Istra Cement, and advised Erste Bank on a squeeze-out of minority shareholders. Boris Porobija is the senior partner.

Foreign investment, projects and privatisation

Within Foreign investment, projects and privatisation, Porobija & Porobija is a first tier firm,

Porobija & Porobija has tended to act on the lender and lead arranger end of project financings in the oil and gas, energy and renewables, and transport infrastructure sectors. Recent clients include HSH Nordbank, RBS and Société Générale. Real estate expert Sanja Porobija has been busy advising on the privatisation of tourist land under legislation introduced in 2010.

Legal market overview

Within Legal market overview,

Bogdanovic, Dolicki & Partners, Divjak, Topic & Bahtijarevic, Porobija & Porobija and Zuric i Partneri remain key names in the market, despite lawyer departures from some. A number of Austrian law firms have offices staffed by a mix of Croatian and Austrian lawyers, and these include CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Branch Office Zagreb, Schoenherr Rechtsanwälte GmbH in co-operation with Croatian Lawyers and Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch.

Real estate and construction

Within Real estate and construction, Porobija & Porobija is a first tier firm,

Porobija & Porobija advises on real estate transactions, leasing (mainly for lessors) and litigation, and is particularly active in the retail sector. Clients include corporations, real estate funds and construction contractors and subcontractors. Practice head Sanja Porobija is one of the market’s leading real estate lawyers.


Legal Developments in Croatia

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Restitution of Property to non-Croatian Citizens – Possible at Last?

    After 14 years from the adoption of the Croatian Restitution Act, restitution to non- Croatian citizens of their nationalised property has become possible after the issuance of a Croatian Supreme Court ruling. Will the remaining restitution proceedings be finalised at last?
  • Implementing Regulations on Public Procurement

    On 1 January 2008 the new Public Procurement Act came into force. However, following the coming into force of the new Act the Public Procurement Office, a regulatory body authorized to develop and coordinate the public procurement system in Croatia reported that in the practice the new Act is actually suspended until the regulations necessary for its implementation are adopted.
  • Amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act

    On 28 March 2008 Croatian Parliament enacted Amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act ("Amendments").
  • Amendments to Civil Obligations Act

    The currently applicable Croatian Civil Obligations Act was enacted in 2005 ("2005 Act") with a goal of harmonizing Croatian legislation with a number of EU Directives relating to combat against late payment in commercial transactions, self-employed commercial agents, sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees, liability for defective products, as well as package travel.
  • Amendments to Electronic Commerce Act

    On 17 June 2008 the Amendments to Electronic Commerce Act ("Amendments") came into force. These amendments are aimed at fully harmonizing Croatian electronic commerce regulations with the relevant EU laws.
  • One-Tier Corporate Governance System Introduced in Croatian Legal System

    On 3 October 2007 Croatian Parliament enacted the Amendments to the Companies Act which should enter into force on 1 April 2008 ("Amendments", "Act"). These Amendments represent the first substantial change to the Act since 2003.
  • New Takeover Act Enacted

    Background
  • New Public Procurement Act

    On 1 January 2008 the new Public Procurement Act came into force. The Act was modeled on a number of EU regulations concerning public procurement, most notably directive on coordination of procedures for award of public works, public supply and public service contracts, directive on procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors, as well as directive on review procedures to the award of public supply and public works contracts.
  • Resignation of a Member of the Management Board

    In a recently published decision, the Croatian High Commercial Court held that in corporations having two-tier corporate structure, the Supervisory board (as a body resolving on appointment and revocation of members of the Management Board) is not authorised or required to resolve on resignation of the Management Board's member. The court was on the standpoint that the resignation has legal effects as of the moment of its delivery to the Supervisory board. As a result, once the Supervisory board receives a resignation of a member of Management Board, it is not to discuss such resignation, but only undertake necessary steps to appoint new member of the Management Board and register the changes with the competent registry court.
  • Constitutional Court Rules on Squeeze Out

    According to recent press release, in February 2007 the Croatian Constitutional Court overruled the claim filed by minority shareholders of Siemens affiliate in Croatia. The minority shareholders requested the Constitutional Court to declare that rules on squeeze-out introduced into Croatian legal system under the 2003 Amendments to Companies Act are in violation of the Croatian Constitution. Under the disputed rules, shareholders' meeting may, at the request of the majority shareholder holding at least 95% of the shares, decide to transfer to such majority shareholder the shares held by minority shareholders, provided that the squeezed-out shareholders are paid appropriate compensation.