RELEVANS Law Firm

RELEVANS Law Firm 

Firm Overview

RELEVANS is a leading independent Slovak law firm, widely recognised for its strength in litigation, real estate, M&A and banking & finance. The firm is committed to supporting clients across every stage of their business journey. Reflecting this commitment, it has significantly expanded its presence in the energy sector.

With more than 30 lawyers – most of them senior-level – RELEVANS is one of the largest Slovak-based law firms and a trusted legal partner to top-tier domestic and international clients.

As one of Slovakia’s largest and most influential law firms, it has built a long-term relationship with clients who value its work – reflected in its Best Client Service Award and multiple national and international awards, including Law Firm of the Year (Slovakia), The Largest Law Firms in Slovakia, and long-standing recognition from The Legal 500, Chambers Europe, and CIJ Awards.

Based in Bratislava, the firm is uniquely positioned to serve entrepreneurs and international companies seeking protection of their rights and interests across the entire CEE region.

Why RELEVANS Stands Out

• An established leader in the Slovak legal market

RELEVANS is the undisputed leader in Slovak litigation and a top-tier firm in real estate, M&A, and finance, regularly advising leading banks, investors, and businesses on high-stakes, market-shaping matters.

• Market recognition

Its excellence has been recognised through multiple legal awards and prominent international rankings:

The Legal 500: Tier 1 in Dispute Resolution and Real Estate; Tier 2 in M&A and Banking & Finance

Chambers Europe 2025: Ranked in Litigation, Real Estate, Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A

Law Firm of the Year (Slovakia):

4x Main Award Winner

9x Winner in Real Estate & Development category

8x Winner in Litigation – most awarded law firm in this category in Slovakia

Best Client Service Award

• Size & Capabilities

Ranked as the 3rd largest law firm operating in Slovakia, it is officially the largest in both Litigation and Real Estate & Development.

• A Proactive, Client-Centric Approach

Its legal advice is always business-oriented, enabling the firm to anticipate the next evolution of the market.

• Distinctive Legal Writing

RELEVANS is known for its distinctive legal writing style, developed in-house to deliver clear, persuasive, and strategic arguments. It is a hallmark of the firm’s litigation success and intellectual identity.

• Internal Innovation

The firm continually invests in innovation, including proprietary legal tools and AI systems that enhance the precision, efficiency, and impact of its work.

Main areas of practice

As trusted advisors to leading market players, RELEVANS combines deep sectoral expertise with proven results – consistently recognised in both local and international rankings.

Dispute resolution/Litigation

RELEVANS has long been the undisputed leader in litigation in Slovakia. It has shaped the Slovak litigation landscape like no other firm. The litigation team handles some of the country’s most high-profile, high-value, and legally complex cases, both domestically and across jurisdictions. Combined with a distinctive style of legal writing and advocacy, it delivers consistently successful outcomes for its clients.

Work highlights

• Acted for defendants in a EUR 584 million dispute over the invalidity of legal acts;
• Defended a major Slovak bank in litigation concerning receivables exceeding EUR 166 million;
• Lead counsel in a high-profile EUR 300 million damages claim involving a prominent financial institution;
• Legal representation across the “Carlton Case” – over 50 civil, administrative, and criminal proceedings, with major disputes surpassing EUR 200 million;
• Advised on a series of disputes brought by electricity producers seeking reimbursement of network access payments;
• Counsel in a complex EUR 90+ million damages case;
• Represented a client in international arbitration over a EUR 31 million dispute stemming from a share purchase agreement.

M&A and corporate

The M&A and Corporate division at RELEVANS is the driving force behind some of the most transformative transactions and legal milestones in the Slovak market. The team supports clients at every stage of the transaction lifecycle and is involved in the most significant transactions in the country, including the “Deal of the Year” listed below.

Work highlights

• Advised J&T Finance Group on the EUR 761 million sale of a 98.45% stake in 365.bank to KCB Bank NV — named “Deal of the Year” by Forbes;
• Represented Budamar Logistics in the transfer of controlling interests in key railway-sector companies;
• Advised a key shareholder on the restructuring of a pan-European luxury hotel portfolio;
• Provided full legal support in negotiating a Shareholders’ Agreement for a major Central European energy group;
• Advised an investment fund on exit from a telecoms operator and resolution of related shareholder relationships;
• Represented the seller in the sale of the Klingerka Project’s administrative part to ERSTE realitná Renta fund;
• Advised buyers on the acquisition of London real estate valued at over EUR 450 million, in cooperation with Setfords Solicitors (UK);
• Advised on the acquisition of ownership interest in a company managing alternative investment funds.

Banking and finance

The banking and finance division at RELEVANS combines regulatory precision with financial expertise, advising on high-value cross-border and domestic transactions.  The firm is recognised for its work in project and acquisition finance, syndicated loans, and PPP projects and banking and insurance regulation. The team also advises on share and bond issuances, IPOs, and securities placements in domestic and international markets. Trusted by leading financial institutions, investors, and corporate clients, RELEVANS is a strategic partner in navigating complex financial structures and regulatory landscapes.

Work highlights

• Advised a developer on the EUR 168 million syndicated loan financing for “Downtown Yards”, a flagship residential and mixed-use development in Bratislava;
• Assisted City Arena with refinancing and enhancement of the security structure for the City Arena PLUS project;
• Provided comprehensive legal support to the debtor in the syndicated financing of EUROVEA II — one of Slovakia’s largest real estate loans;
• Represented the debtor in bank financing of the construction of Eurovea Tower, the first residential skyscraper in Slovakia;
• Advised a sole underwriter on a bond issuance and acquisition financing exceeding EUR 200 million;
• Provided licensing advice to a consumer finance company before the National Bank of Slovakia;
• Represented a bondholder in asserting rights under a EUR 135 million bond issue, including negotiations with the issuer and analysis of enforcement options.

Real estate and development

RELEVANS has a market-leading real estate practice, advising on complex, large-scale projects throughout Slovakia and abroad. The Real Estate Division is widely acknowledged as one of the most experienced in Slovakia, backed by deep, long-term partnerships with key developers such as JTRE, one of Central Europe’s most prominent developers.

Work highlights

• Advised on all aspects of the Eurovea and Eurovea II development — including financing, construction, leasing, and sale of Slovakia’s first residential skyscraper;
• Advised on the location and establishment of the future European Parliament office, the European Commission Representation, and the Europe Experience interactive exhibition in Bratislava;
• Legal counsel on City Center Nové Lido, including approval procedures, planning, and infrastructure preparation for this transformative urban project on the Danube’s Petržalka side;
• Cross-border legal advisory on a premium residential and winery project spanning Slovakia and France (Rubáň);
• Provided transaction support on a strategic real estate acquisition in South London, in collaboration with a UK-based law firm;
• Represented the seller in the sale of two major multifunctional centres in Bratislava.

Energy

The Energy sector is a rapidly evolving and heavily regulated area, and RELEVANS has emerged as a strong player in this space. The firm’s energy practice advises major industry players across both regulated and commercial areas, combining legal, regulatory, and sector-specific knowledge. It supports clients in disputes, transactions, and infrastructure development.

Work highlights

• Representing leading Slovak energy companies in high-stakes disputes with electricity producers over access payment refunds (G-component cases);
• Acting for a top aluminium manufacturer on regulatory, environmental, and commercial matters across the energy value chain;
• Representing the claimant in constitutional damages claim against the Slovak Republic concerning unlawful energy price caps — a case with potential regulatory precedent;
• Advising on stakeholder structuring and infrastructure aspects of major mixed-use developments involving energy installations;
• Legal support on a complex gas pipeline project, including strategic advisory on reimbursement claims, documentation flaws, and regulatory compliance;
• Representation in a high-value dispute over alleged unjust enrichment related to energy infrastructure usage, involving intricate regulatory and property law issues.

Key Clients

The client portfolio includes major Slovak and international:

• Financial institutions;
• Real estate developers;
• Investment and private equity firms;
• Energy companies;
• High-net-worth individuals and family offices;
• Corporations in telecoms, healthcare, IT and logistics. 

Lawyers & Leadership

Alexander Kadela – Founding & Managing Partner

• Leading litigator in Slovakia with 25+ years’ experience.
• Key focus: complex disputes, constitutional and EU law, cross-border litigation, energy law.

Marián Masarik – Founding Partner

• Leading transactional lawyer with 25+ years’ experience.
• Key focus: high-value corporate transaction, real estate development and financial regulatory matters.

Lucia Baranová – Partner

• Oversees HR, internal strategy, and client service excellence. Recognised among top women in Slovak legal business.

Tomáš Bardelčík – Partner

• Key focus: complex disputes, constitutional and EU law, cross-border arbitration.

Slavomír Máčaj – Partner

• Key focus: litigation strategist with deep experience in regulatory, commercial, and constitutional disputes.

Pavol Chrenko – Partner

• Specialist in emerging legal areas, digital law, and cross-border disputes.