The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Czech Republic

Banking, finance and capital markets

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

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár has made itself a go-to firm for IPOs, and advised on the first such listings on the Prague Stock Exchange since 2008: those of Fortuna Entertainment, which was simultaneously listed on the Warsaw bourse, and software provider KIT digital. On the finance front, practice head Libor Basl advised Czech food group Nowaco on its multimillion-dollar financing by a consortium of banks, following its acquisition by South Africa-based Bidvest. The team also advised on several refinancings, including Tomáš Skoumal acting for Aqualia. Other clients include banks such as UniCredit, Investkredit Bank and CSOB.

Corporate and M&A

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

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelárprovides diligent, cost-effective and highly commercial service’. Practice head Tomáš Skoumal is ‘a skilled and pragmatic problem solver with superb negotiating skills. If you can get him on the deal, the deal will get done’. Skoumal acted on Bidvest Group’s €250m acquisition of certain CEE-based food companies, including Czech wholesaler Nowaco. Other clients include Google, Dura Automotive and Boston Scientific. ‘Cool-headed and highly organised’, Alexandr Cesar led on ADM’s acquisition of ViaChem Group’s local subsidiary. Associate Marek Kreisl is ‘sensible, practical and gets things done’.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár is regarded as one of Prague’s leading litigation and arbitration practices. Martin Hrodek leads the team, which has recently seen an increase in construction and insolvency cases. The group successfully defended CSOB in a high-value ICC arbitration involving cross-border issues, and Hrodek represented a German insurer on liability cases concerning a high-profile train accident in the Czech Republic. Associate Jan Zrcek ‘has exceptional ability to understand highly complex cases’, and was involved in acting for an international construction company in arbitration.

Real estate and construction

Within Real estate and construction, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár provides all-round excellence in its service and depth of team. Recent highlights include acting for Telefónica O2 on the sale and leaseback of land and representing Sika AG’s Czech subsidiary on the cross-border acquisition of Panbex, including all real estate assets. Practice head David Simonek advises on commercial leasing issues, and is ‘more than just a real estate lawyer: he has a strong combination of business and legal abilities and, as a result, is a true adviser to clients; he provides strong thought leadership without being domineering in the process’. Senior associates Pavel Vraný and Martin Ostrihon are also recommended.

TMT

Within TMT, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

IT matters such as outsourcing, internet and software law are the main focus of Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár’s practical and responsive TMT practice, while IP work is also a factor of the practice. Associate Jirí Cermák, who heads the group, advised on implementing a Europe-wide banking software system for Raiffaisenbank, and Telefónica O2 on an IT service outsourcing bid from CEZ. Google is another major client, which the team advised on licensing, media and data protection matters, while Fox International Channels is a new client. Telecoms and media expert Tomas Skoumal is ‘exceptionally good’. He led advice to Société Générale on completing an agreement with Orange for outsourcing a telecoms service project and provided regulatory advice to telecoms companies.

Tax

Within Tax, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Senior associate Pavel Fekar heads Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár’s well-regarded practice, which is particularly notable for international taxation matters. Fekar advised Abbott Laboratories on the post-acquisition restructuring of a Czech business and also advised Zimmer on regulatory compliance relating to its acquisition of part of a local distributor. Daniela Rotter focuses on VAT and excise duties.


What we say worldwide

Please choose another Baker & McKenzie office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

United Arab Emirates

Offices in Abu Dhabi

Australia

Offices in Sydney and Melbourne

Austria

Offices in Vienna

Azerbaijan

Offices in Baku

Belgium

Offices in Brussels, Antwerp, and Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich

Egypt

Offices in Cairo

Spain

Offices in Madrid and Barcelona

France

Offices in Paris

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Hungary

Offices in Budapest

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Italy

Offices in Rome, Milan, and Bologna

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kuwait

Kazakhstan

Offices in Almaty

London

Offices in London EC4V and London EC4V

Luxembourg

Offices in Luxembourg

Libya

Malaysia

Offices in Kuala Lumpur

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Philippines

Offices in Makati

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Russia

Offices in Moscow and St Petersburg

Sweden

Offices in Stockholm

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South Korea

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Switzerland

Offices in Zurich and Geneva

Taiwan

Offices in Taipei

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Ukraine

Offices in Kiev

United States

Offices in Washington DC, Palo Alto, New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, and Houston

Vietnam

Offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Legal Developments by:
Baker & McKenzie

  • New rules due on assessment of workplace working conditions

    Continuing our practice of regularly updating our clients on changes in the Russian legislation, in this legal alert we would like to inform you that as of September 1, 2011, the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation will introduce a new procedure for assessing working conditions in workplaces. 1 [1] Results of workplace assessments with respect to the working conditions conducted before September 1, 2011 (in accordance with the procedure currently in effect 2 [2]) will remain valid up until the next regular assessment.
    - Baker & McKenzie

Legal Developments in Czech Republic

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Defence against vexatious insolvency petitions

    Insolvency proceedings aim mainly to find a complex solution to the financial standing of a debtor who has gone bankrupt according to one of the laws (Act No 182/2006 Sb., on Insolvency and the Methods of its Solution; hereinafter referred to as the “Insolvency Act” ) in the way set forth, especially in order to secure the claims of creditors. In practice, some institutes of the Insolvency Act are used in ways that contrast with its general purpose.
  • Czech Republic: Typical Legal Issues Encountered in Real Estate Due Diligence

    In almost every due diligence involving real estate in the Czech Republic, several legal is-sues emerge which are crucial for the existence (or non-existence) of ownership or other rights regarding real estate established in favour of certain subjects. The following legal issues are typically encountered in due diligence projects. It is important to understand and assess these issues correctly.
  • CHANGES IN THE PROMOTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

    legal developments in the energy practice
  • What will the new Tax Procedure Code bring?

    On 1 January 2011 the new Tax Procedure Code took effect which will regulate tax proceedings in the Czech Republic . As tax proceedings concern almost everybody, as almost everybody pays tax, let us look at what the new Tax Procedure Code will bring.
  • Legal Aspects of the Subsidy Process in Connection with the Operational

    The Operational Program Research and Development for Innovations (OPRDI) was implemented for public institutions in the industrial research and development sector. The aim of the program is to develop cooperation between universities and industrial enterprises, to support research and development at universities and research institutions, and to highlight supply and demand in the research and development sector. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (www.msmt.cz) is charged with managing the program. Knowledge of certain basic principles is useful when using subsidies in compliance with the stipulated rules.
  • Cross-Border Service Provision in the EU

    The Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2006/123/EC of 12 December 2006, on services in the internal market ("Directive" or "Directive on services") substantially develops the freedom of establishment and freedom of cross-border provision of services under Articles 43 and 49 of the EC treaty. The Directive applies to all types of services except those which are expressly excluded. In the Czech Republic, the Directive on services was implemented by Act No. 222/2009 Coll., on Free Movement of Services that came into force on December 28, 2009.
  • Act on Significant Market Strength and Its Abuse – a Controversial Law Regulating Relations betwee

     
  • Comparing the Czech and Slovak regulation of the time limit for tax assessment: the Czech 3+0 rule

     
  • Czech Republic (in The European & Middle Eastern Arbitration Review 2011)

    Alternative dispute resolution is an important consideration in the Czech Republic, particularly on account of the fact that judicial proceedings in the state courts can take up to several years. Arbitration is currently in common use in the resolution of both national and international disputes.
  • Real Estate Tax in 2010

    The real estate tax rate doubled on the basis of the amendment to the Real Estate Tax Act that came into force in 2010. Therefore some municipalities took their option and increased the tax rates. The rate increased from CZK 5.00 to CZK 10.00 per square meter of built-up area for structures serving for industry, building industry, transport, energy industry and other agricultural production, and from CZK 0.10 to CZK 0.20 per square meter of land. Arable land, hop gardens, vineyards, gardens, fruit orchards, permanent grasslands, productive forests and fish ponds, and also structures for other business activity make an exception.