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. With more than 30 lawyers – most of them senior-level – it is one of the largest Slovak-based law firms and a trusted legal partner to top-tier domestic and international clients, combining technical legal excellence with strong commercial understanding.

The firm is ranked 3rd largest in Slovakia and is officially the largest in both Litigation and Real Estate & Development. Its work is recognised by The Legal500, Chambers Europe, and Law Firm of the Year (Slovakia) - 5x Main Award Winner, 10x Real Estate & Development, 9x Litigation, plus the Best Client Service Award. Based in Bratislava, RELEVANS serves clients across the CEE region and is known for its distinctive in-house legal writing style and investment in proprietary legal and AI tools.

Dispute resolution/Litigation

RELEVANS is Slovakia´s leading litigation practice, trusted with disputes of exceptional complexity where legal, commercial and reputational considerations are closely interconnected. Its partner-led, team-based model combines deep legal expertise, interdisciplinary insight, precise procedural strategy and a distinctive in-house legal writing methodology that turns complex issues into clear, persuasive arguments.

5 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 60 civil, administrative, and criminal proceedings, with major disputes surpassing EUR 210 million;

·         Counsel in a complex EUR 90+ million damages case.

M&A and corporate

RELEVANS has a market-leading M&A and corporate practice, driving some of the most transformative transactions in Slovakia. The team supports clients through the full transaction lifecycle – structuring, due diligence, negotiation, closing and post-closing implementation – advising strategic investors, private equity, banks, insurers, asset managers, developers and high-net-worth individuals on high-value domestic and cross-border deals, including transactions involving regulated industries.

5 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;

·         Advised an investment fund on exit from a telecom operator and resolution of related shareholder relationships;

·         Advised buyers on the acquisition of London real estate valued at over EUR 450 million, in cooperation with Setfords Solicitors (UK).

Banking and finance

RELEVANS advises on Slovakia´s most significant banking, finance and corporate transactions, combining deep regulatory knowledge with extensive transactional experience. The team covers acquisition and project finance, syndicated lending, PPP financings, capital markets, financial regulation and licensing, restructurings and refinancing – working closely with the firm´s tax, competition and real estate practices on integrated, multidisciplinary mandates.

5 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;

• 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 the first residential skyscraper in Slovakia;

• Advised a sole underwriter on a bond issuance and acquisition financing exceeding EUR 200 million;

• 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´s Real Estate Division is a market leader in Slovakia, advising on complex, large-scale projects across all major asset classes throughout the full life cycle – acquisition, permitting, development, financing, leasing and disposal. The firm has a long-standing relationship with JTRE, one of Central Europe´s most prominent developers, and has acted as trusted advisor on virtually all of its flagship developments.

5 Work highlights

• 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;

• Represented the seller in the sale of the Klingerka Project’s administrative part to ERSTE realitná Renta fund;

• Cross-border legal advisory on a premium residential and winery project spanning Slovakia and France (Rubáň);

• Represented the seller in the sale of two major multifunctional centres in Bratislava.

Energy

RELEVANS has significantly expanded its Energy & Infrastructure practice, advising major domestic and international energy companies, investors and regulated entities across the full project life cycle – development, permitting, financing, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution – in both conventional and renewable energy.

5 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.;