The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ ‘helpful’ and ‘responsive’ group is an established ‘market leader’ in aircraft finance. It also recently handled various restructurings in the real estate sector, and advised Industrial Union of Donbass on its restructuring, as well as BNP Paribas on the refinancing of Monier Group. The ‘knowledgeable’ Szabolcs Mestyán and practice head Péter Köves are recommended.

Within Capital markets, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners advises international banks on securitisation transactions, capital markets regulations, and litigation. The team regularly acts for clients such as UniCredit Bank and Deutsche Bank as underwriters of sovereign foreign exchange issuances. Richard Lock has ‘broad-ranging abilities across capital markets and financial services regulation’. Péter Köves and Szabolcs Mestyán are also recommended.

Within Competition, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ strengths lie in behavioural competition law and consumer protection regulations. Péter Lakatos represented Nokia in an abuse of dominance case concerning blank data carrier levy fees; and Iván Sólyom acted for Wavin in a cartel investigation.

Within Corporate and M&A, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners focuses its resources on foreign direct investment transactions, and has developed excellent referral relationships with various leading international firms. Counsel Pál Rahóty acted for Aviva plc on the Hungarian aspects of its CEE insurance operation, and Richard Lock advised Al Habtoor Group on its acquisition of Le Meridien Hotel. Other clients include SUEZ Environnement and HAL.

Within Dispute resolution, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ ‘very responsive’ and ‘attentive’ team is ‘a strong player’. Péter Köves continued to advise SUEZ Environnement on compensation claims relating to seized assets, and Péter Lakatos acted for Nokia in a dispute with Artisjus, the Hungarian authors’ rights society. Other highlights included representing Antenna Hungária at the Supreme Court, and HSBC in opposing a HUF800m fine imposed by the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority (HFSA).

Within Energy, tier 4

Richard Lock leads the energy group at Lakatos, Köves and Partners, which advises energy clients on commercial matters.

Within Intellectual property, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a third tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners advises large international companies on registration and IP litigation, including trade mark infringements. Managing partner Péter Lakatos represented Nokia in litigation concerning private copying levies, and Attila Ungár acted for Hugo Boss in a domain name dispute and trade mark opposition.

Within Project finance, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners acts for a broad range of property funds and asset managers on domestic project financing and related disputes, and is increasingly acting on telecoms projects. It continues to advise Credit Suisse on the financing of Reynolds Group; and GLL on the refinancing of several office and hospital projects. Szabolcs Mestyán and senior partner Péter Köves are the names to note.

Within Real estate and construction, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners focuses on real estate finance and asset management transactions, and advises clients including CBRE on leasing and property management. The team advised Al Habtoor Group on its acquisition of Le Meridien Hotel, and GLL on refinancing a portion of its real estate portfolio. Attila Ungár leads the group.

Within TMT, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners advises several telecoms operators, including Nokia and Viettel, on mobile licence tenders, corporate governance, and litigation. It also advised TDF/Antenna Hungária on contractual and regulatory issues. Péter Lakatos and Iván Sólyom are the names to note.

Within Tax, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Highly recommended tax adviser István Keményfy is the key contact at Lakatos, Köves and Partners. He provides transactional support on cross-border investments, M&A and the disposal of interests in Hungarian property and businesses. The team assisted Avestus Capital with dividing up its real property portfolio, and advised a US commodity sector client on VAT relating to its operations in southeastern Europe.