EU and competition in Croatia

Babic & Partners Law Firm

With ‘great knowledge of EU and Croatian competition law’, the team at Babic & Partners Law Firm handles the full range of multi-jurisdictional work for major domestic and international clients. Praised as ‘responsive, client-oriented, knowledgeable’, the team is led by Iva Basarić, who boasts corporate and commercial expertise, and frequently handles antitrust and merger control cases before the Croatian authorities. Lovro Klepac is another key contact in the group, assisting on a broad range of IP-related advisory and regulation enforcement work.

Practice head(s):

Iva Basaric


Other key lawyers:

Lovro Klepac


Testimonials

‘Iva Basaric and her team provide practicable and well-thought-out advice. They are responsive and communicate in a clear manner. They have great knowledge of EU and Croatian competition law and excellent understanding of the underlying industries.’

‘The law firm has been very clear and prompt in its response, communication, advice and justification.’

‘Responsive, client-oriented, knowledgeable.’

‘Iva Basaric is a great competition lawyer.’

Key clients

Beiersdorf


Magyar Suzuki Corporation


Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.


Bradvica Maric Wahl Cesarec

Noted for its expertise in highly regulated sectors, the competition team at Bradvica Maric Wahl Cesarec advises domestic and international clients on the full range of issues including day-to-day antitrust, compliance, and state aid mandates. Team leader and founder Mislav Bradvica has ‘exceptional knowledge’ in competition law, focusing on antitrust and regulatory litigation, frequently representing clients before the national and EU competition authorities. Key individuals include Ivan Luetić and Kristina Rudec, who frequently assist on IP infringement, unfair commercial practices and merger approvals. Stjepan Gvozdić is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Mislav Bradvica


Other key lawyers:

Ivan Luetić; Kristina Rudec; Stjepan Gvozdić


Testimonials

‘The team is unique because the people who make it up are unique. The team is very capable, task-oriented and dedicated to the clients they work with. Cooperation is very warm and friendly.’

‘The individuals from the team we work with stand out from the competition in many ways, especially because they approach each case very carefully. They devote themselves to the client who has inquiries and provide answers with reasons and in detail.’

‘Business-oriented philosophy with deep understanding of internal processes and needs of our global company, combined with creative solutions prepared specifically for our needs.’

Key clients

Securitas Croatia


Valamar Riviera


C&A Croatia


Förch Croatia


Five Agency


Muraplast


Avant Car


Spačva


Quaestus Private Equity


Ericsson Nikola Tesla


Transcom Holding


Bazzar.Hr


Pik (Croatia)


Tpa Croatia


Metro Croatia


Fortis Projekt


Adria Luxury Rent


VALINGE CROATIA D.O.O.


Telemach Hrvatska And United Group


Work highlights


  • Advised Valinge on obtaining merger approval before the Croatian Competition Agency regarding acquisition of a controlling stake (84%) in a joint stock company Spin Valis d.d., one of the largest Croatian wood processor and manufacturer of solid oak furniture.
  • Managing employment-related disputes and offers comprehensive day-to-day labour law advisory services to corporate clients, including Securitas, Förch, Muraplast, Telemach, BIPA, and Ledo.
  • Advising Bornfight, AVANT Car, in establishing various employment incentive schemes, including ESOPs, facilitating the implementation of effective strategies to incentivize and reward employees.

Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka

The market-leading team at Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka stands out for its impressive competition and antitrust offering, handling the full range of complex issues and acting for major domestic and international clients. Firm co-founder and competition specialist Mario Krka is a ‘leading expert in the field’, advising on competition compliance mandates in Croatia, and frequently handling cases complicated by Croatian and EU regulatory frameworks. Corporate and IP infringement work is another core strength of the team. Advising on mergers and takeovers, Dominik Glavina also provides daily contractual assistance and advises on conditional clearances. Assisting with state aid and merger control matters, Ana-Maria Sunko Perić is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Mario Krka


Other key lawyers:

Dominik Glavina; Ana-Maria Sunko Perić


Testimonials

‘The team is agile, responsive, with in-depth knowledge and commercially oriented.’

‘Mario Krka is a leading expert in the field.’

‘DTB competition team led by Mario Krka is an outstanding team with vast experience in a wide range of competition topics. They are knowledgeable, efficient, provide easy to grasp advice and are pleasant to work with.’

‘Mario Krka is an outstanding lawyer with knowledge and experience in all matters related to competition law, able to provide clear advice to most complex competition matters. Ana-Maria Sunko Perić is knowledgeable, reliant and efficient in providing advice in antitrust and merger control matters.’

‘The team is very organised and well-coordinated.’

‘Mario Krka is a great competition lawyer. He is a very experienced professional. In my opinion, Mario Krka is the best competition lawyer in Croatia. He consistently demonstrates meticulous attention to detail in every matter he handles. He has deep knowledge of EU institutions.’

‘We have worked with Ana-Maria Sunko Perić, who has extensive expertise in competition. Her dedication to her profession is commendable.’

‘Extremely experienced and accomplished antitrust law team. Professionally at the highest level throughout. Can adapt well to client requirements and find pragmatic solutions.’

Key clients

Heineken


Google


Japan Tobacco International (JTI)


Law Office Mucalo

Law Office Mucalo houses a team of ‘skilled and dedicated practitioners’, who act for domestic corporate and business clients on the full range of competition law matters. Founder and practice leader Igor Mucalo advises on mergers, cartels, and abuse of dominance cases arising out of the TMT, tobacco, and energy sectors. Acting for clients on day-to-day aspects of competition law and public procurement mandates, Kruno Kolak is another key member of the team. Bruno Mudronja assists in representing clients in competition litigation, in addition to non-contentious matters before the Croatian courts.

Practice head(s):

Igor Mucalo


Other key lawyers:

Kruno Kolak; Bruno Mudronja


Testimonials

‘Mucalo Law Office is unique in its modern and tailor-made approach to clients.’

‘They find the right solutions and are very approachable.’

‘The clarity with which we get relevant answers gives us confidence in our work and decision-making’

Key clients

Croatian Telecom


HP – HRVATSKA POŠTA


INA


Ezpada


Iskon Internet


Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists


Coca-Cola HBC Hrvatska


Spinnaker


Phoenix Group


Philip Morris


Žuric i Partneri in cooperation with Kinstellar

Noted for its capability in handling cross-border EU and competition matters, Žuric i Partneri in cooperation with Kinstellar’s market-leading team services an impressive roster of international clients. Edin Karakaš, who handles merger clearances, leads the team, while Andrijana Kaštelan's expertise spans a broad range of competition advisory work. Daniela Mayer left the firm in September 2023.

Practice head(s):

Edin Karakaš


Other key lawyers:

Andrijana Kaštelan


Testimonials

‘The entire team at Žurić i Partneri consists of very experienced, highly determined, educated and friendly attorneys. Every single one of them upholds the highest standards of the legal profession. Competence, ethics, dedication to solutions, and understanding clients’ commercial circumstances is what sets their team apart.’

‘What stands out the most about Edin Karakaš is his dedication to solving the case, while always trying to think out of the box and find better and practical solutions. He never fails to provide a seamless client experience.’

‘Well-organised, interactive team. Very experienced and with great international network enabling servicing multijurisdictional matters.’

Key clients

Agri Europe Cyprus Limited


EBRD


European Commission


Findos Investor GmbH


MMK SYSTEMS d.o.o.


Bardek, Lisac, Mušec, Skoko in association with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH (Austria)

Bardek, Lisac, Mušec, Skoko in association with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH (Austria) fields a robust competition practice, advising major domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries, including banking and finance, pharmaceutical, and construction. Marija Zrno Prošić leads the team, frequently handling data protection and compliance matters related to competition law, while Karmen Sinožić assists with merger assessments, dominance abuse mandates, and state aid in restructuring proceedings. Focusing on Croatian and EU regulatory approval issues, the team also advises on competition-related IP matters and prohibition of unfair trading practices.

Practice head(s):

Marija Zrno Prošić


Other key lawyers:

Karmen Sinožić


Testimonials

‘The legal support was reliable and their approach to legal obstacles was constructive.’

‘Marija Zrno Prošić is the main contact who offers competent support. She is highly reliable and answers all questions with the highest respect and expertise.’

‘The team’s most important capability is being able to give you the answer right away or in short time of period.’

‘Individuals I have worked with were always accessible and result-oriented.’ 

‘Quick to respond and with good understanding of the risks and potential issues arising from the presented circumstance.’

Key clients

Yildirim Group


Porsche


Apcom


REHAU AG


Bauhaus


Work highlights


  • Advising on all transactional and competition law aspects of Porsche’s investments in Rimac, including analysis of merger filing rules in the context of series of transactions triggering changes in the ownership shares and voting rights.
  • Advising Yildirim Group, a Turkish conglomerate, in the acquisition of the majority of shareholding rights in Petrokemija, Croatia’s manufacturing giant specialised in agricultural fertilizers on continuous competition and EU law support throughout the transaction.
  • Advising Apcom, the regional distributor of Apple and Symantec products, on various queries on daily operations and detailed reviews and analysis of commercial contracts.

KOVACEVIC PRPIC SIMEUNOVIC LLC

Counting domestic bank among its key roster of clients, KOVACEVIC PRPIC SIMEUNOVIC LLC also handles a wide range of related corporate and commercial law issues. Martina Prpic and EU law specialist Danijela Simeunovic jointly lead the team, regularly advising on merger controls, prohibited agreements, abuse of dominant positions, and state aid issues. Ana Novaković Stipaničev is another key member of the team, frequently assisting clients in the oil and gas, hospitality, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Practice head(s):

Martina Prpić; Danijela Simeunović


Other key lawyers:

Ana Novaković Stipaničev


Testimonials

‘The team are professional and flexible, successfully adapt to any situation, excellent in communication and negotiations. Very reliable as partners.’

Key clients

KUPOVINA d.o.o.


Autotechnica Fleet Services d.o.o.


BUTAN PLIN d.d.


SIGNIFY INTERNATIONAL B.V., Branch office Zagreb


Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development


OTP banka d.d.


KONZUM plus d.o.o.


Privredna banka Zagreb d.d.


AGRAM BANKA d.d.


Karlovačka banka d.d.


Zagrebačka banka d.d


Work highlights


  • Advised Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development and OTP banka d.d. on the repayment mechanism in relation to financing in the amount of EUR 100,100,000 secured by the state guarantee.
  • Advised a syndicate of Croatian banks on an EUR 11.193.059,76 refinancing of existing financial obligations granted to ENERGO d.o.o. secured by guarantee of the City of Rijeka.
  • Legal assistance and representation in administrative dispute relating to leasing activities and preliminary proceedings before the Court of Justice of the EU.

Wolf Theiss

Wolf Theiss’ competition practice sits within the firm's wider corporate and banking and finance department, frequently representing domestic and international clients before the Croatian Competition Authorities. The team advises clients on merger fillings and various competition-related administrative procedures. Widely renowned Luka Tadić-Čolić leads the Zagreb-based team, and arbitration and litigation expert Borna Dejanović regularly handles cartel and infringement matters, in addition to advising on the competition law aspects of corporate transactions.

Practice head(s):

Luka Tadić-Čolić


Other key lawyers:

Borna Dejanović


Key clients

RTL


Work highlights


  • Advising RTL Group, a Luxembourg-based international media conglomerate, on the merger filing process in connection with the EUR 50 million auction sale of its shares in RTL Croatia to Central European Media Enterprises.
  • Advising an international home care and beauty care producer as preferred local counsel for competition law issues in Croatia, including daily competition law advice and periodical training sessions and educational materials such as dawn raid guidelines.
  • Advising a listed Croatian company in a project for the internal reorganisation of competition compliance procedures.

Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich Law Firm LLP

Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich Law Firm LLP’s team is praised as ‘truly exceptional in the field of EU law and competition’. The ‘highly regarded’ Ivan Dvojkovic leads the team, frequently representing public and private companies, and advising on cartel investigations. Tomislav Sadrić focuses on public sector mandates, handling public procurement, concessions, and state aid issues. Further bolstering the team with expertise in banking and finance, Vladimir Batarelo assists on merger control, abuse of dominance, and restrictive agreement matters.

Practice head(s):

Ivan Dvojković; Tomislav Sadrić


Other key lawyers:

Vladimir Batarelo


Testimonials

‘Ivan Dvojković is reputable and one of the country’s leading competition experts. He has in-depth knowledge of the market, takes a fresh and proactive approach, and is always available when there’s an issue.’

Vladimir Batarelo demonstrates great legal knowledge and admirable determination.’

‘All team members of the competition law practice, especially the senior associates and partners, demonstrated open communication. BDV stands out from the other firms, providing an exceptional client service, while also being very flexible and solution oriented.’

‘Ivan Dvojković is a highly-regarded competition lawyer and has a prominent presence in the market. He is commercially skilled and always takes a straightforward approach.’

‘Tomislav Sadrić is an expert with extensive experience in competition-related matters. He is technically excellent, pleasant to work with, very responsive and delivers clear and useful advice.’

‘Vladimir Batarelo excels in managing complex legal projects.’

‘The BDV team is dynamic and possesses excellent organizational and technical skills. Seeing the big picture is one of the team’s strengths. There is a high level of legal expertise among the team, along with a strong business understanding.’

‘The firm is truly exceptional in the field of EU law and competition, and we wholeheartedly recommend their services.’

Key clients

Calucem d.o.o.


GoOpti B.V.


Profil Klett


57hours


Deltaplast d.o.o.


IGAS ENERGY


Motovun Park d.o.o.


IKA


Galić d.o.o.


Vatel


Arriva Croatia


Work highlights


  • Advised Calucem, one of the leading European speciality cement producers, on the renewal of a maritime domain concession, with an emphasis on the competition and public contracts rules laid down in the EU law.
  • Advised GoOpti, an international company specialised in road passenger transportation, on complex issues connected to the cross-border transportation, especially on the EU and national competition rules in the transportation sector.
  • Advised 57hours, a company operating an innovative online platform that connects outdoor adventurers with trained and certified guides all over the world on state aid issues arising in connection to the EU funding received for the development of the platform.

Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac Law Firm LLC

Mamic Peric Reberski Rimac Law Firm LLC is noted for its corporate and commercial expertise, handling a range of transactional and restructuring-related competition mandates. Luka Rimac co-leads the team alongside Vladimir Mamic, advising on EU law regulatory and competition matters. Leading on various competition projects, Nikola Kokot handles mandates concerning antitrust and contentious acquisitions of shares, while Ivana Marić  is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Luka Rimac; Vladimir Mamić


Key clients

Fortenova Grupa d.d.


KONČAR ELEKTROINDUSTRIJA d.d.


SUMMIT LEASING SLOVENIJA d.o.o.


Work highlights


  • Advising Fortenova Grupa, the largest regional holding of retail, food and agriculture companies, which was subject of very complex and sensitive restructuring project.
  • Providing legal services to KONČAR ELEKTROINDUSTRIJA d.d. in various complex statutory, regulatory, corporate and commercial issues, including but not limited to assistance in complex commercial relations with business partners, shareholder agreements and corporate governance matters.

MATEKOVIĆ & Partners Law Firm LLC

The practice at MATEKOVIĆ & Partners Law Firm LLC is collectively led by Krešimir Matekovic, Ivan Sabljić, Dora Adžić, and Laura Mateković. The team regularly handles competition-related advisory work in highly regulated industries, such as gambling, trade, and pharmaceuticals.

Practice head(s):

Krešimir Mateković; Ivan Sabljić; Dora Adžić; Laura Mateković


Key clients

SUPER IGRA Ltd.


Luxottica South Eastern Europe Ltd.


NOVO NORDISK Hrvatska Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Advising Luxottica South Eastern Europe Ltd., with respect to implementation of Ray – Ban selective distribution system in the Republic of Croatia with all interested undertakings.
  • Advising NOVO NORDISK Hrvatska Ltd. in the competition matters regarding the discounts on medicines.

Schoenherr in cooperation with Croatian lawyers

Noted for its strong merger control fillings offering, Schoenherr in cooperation with Croatian lawyers regularly represents domestic and international clients before the Croatian Competition Authority. With a strong track record in M&A, Ana Mihaljević (Marjančić) leads the team, handling cross-border competition and antitrust matters. Christoph Haid assists on distribution policy changes related to EU law, while Zoran Soljaga advises on a range of contentious antitrust issues.

Practice head(s):

Ana Mihaljević (Marjančić)


Other key lawyers:

Christoph Haid; Zoran Šoljaga


Testimonials

‘Schoenherr in cooperation with Croatian lawyers for the EU and the competition team stands out due to their expertise and experience: the team comprises highly skilled lawyers with extensive experience in competition law, both in Croatia and within the broader European context. They also have a client-centric approach, since the the team prioritizes the needs and objectives of its clients.’ 

‘Ana Mihaljević (Marjančić) is excellent; down to earth and pleasant to work with. And most importantly, she really does know how to get things done fast and efficiently without over complicating.’

‘The team is co-ordinated, experienced and very reliable.’

‘Ana Mihaljević (Marjančić)’s powerful and effective written and verbal communication is crucial. The ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively is a key asset. Also, she is very adaptable and her adaptability and willingness to learn and grow are much appreciated.’

Key clients

GTC Group


Kraft Heinz Company


Philip Morris Zagreb d.o.o.


HRANA-TEC d.o.o.


TUI AG


Intersnack


SIMMO AG


Polleo Adria d.o.o.


Work highlights


  • Aadvised Nexi/ISP on long-form merger control filing before the Croatian Competition Authority related to the acquisition of ISP’s EUR 180 million worth of merchant acquiring business.
  • Advised Wienerberger Vargon on long-form merger control filing before the Croatian Competition Authority.
  • Advised GTC on implementation of a set of group compliance policies and procedures.