On April 20, 2020, Serbian and Kosovar* transmission system operators (“TSOs”) finally took a step forward to end a years-long dispute. The breakthrough came on the back of protracted negotiations between the Kosovar* TSO KOSTT and the Serbian TSO EMS, facilitated by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (“ENTSO-E”). The vote on the draft Connection Agreement was successfully concluded by the Regional Group of Continental Europe. Thanks to this vote and the subsequent deal, KOSTT and Kosovo* will leave the Serbia-Montenegro-North Macedonia control block and form the Kosovo*- Albania control block, as announced a number of […]
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On February 1, 2020, a new Trademarks Act („Act“) came into force with a view to addressing shortcomings observed during the application of the previous act, to establish a more efficient system for trademark protection, as well as to align Serbian legislation with the laws of the EU Member States in this field. Placing trademarked goods and services on the market allows the trademark owner to distinguish those goods and services on the market from others that are the same or similar, while simultaneously increasing its responsibility towards consumers. The importance of trademarks calls for an efficient and simple protection […]
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The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (“the Council”) on 18 February 2020 adopted revised conclusions on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (“the EU list”). The EU list (Annex I) includes non-EU countries or territories which had not made sufficient commitments in response to the EU‘s concerns about taxation arrangements. The State of play section (Annex II) lists the jurisdictions which had responded with sufficient commitments. Therefore, the jurisdictions that do not yet comply with all international tax standards but have committed to reforms are included in Annex II. These countries need to take effective actions to […]
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“Aim to make a difference, a dent in the universe and don’t settle for anything less. Always be innovative and creative – those are the key things that always generate true added value.” This attitude, inspired by the words of the legendary Steve Jobs, is what led Bogdan Gecić, the founder of Gecić Law, to be recently chosen to be one of only 400 members of the prestigious Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC). The YEC is a global invitation-only, US-based community of entrepreneurs and leaders under the age of 45, who have made major impact in diverse industries and sectors. […]
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On 24 February 2020 the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Registry of Real Estate, Overhead Lines and Underground Ducts (Registration Procedure) Amendment Act (“Registration Procedure Act”). The amendments will enter into force on 3 March 2020, while certain provisions shall apply as from 31 March 2020. The main idea was to simplify the procedure before the Republic Ordnance Survey Authority. A key change concerns Article 39 of the Registration Procedure Act, which now stipulates that service of procedural documents to parties will be effected in the form of an electronic document via single electronic mailbox. If […]
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We are thrilled to announce that TerraLex has launched a new cross-border guides tool that offers clients access to invaluable overviews of various areas of law from multiple jurisdictions, with the ability to compare them. Gecić Law, together with RPC from UK, Schiff Hardin LLP from US, Hylands Law Firm from China, among other selected TerraLex members worldwide, contributed to the creation of these tailored guides. Our leading experts provided input on Serbian legislation for the Pre-Merger Notification, Cross-Border Copyright and Tracing Assets Around the World guides. About TerraLex TerraLex is a worldwide legal network which helps member firms serve […]
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We don our Facebook spyglass once again. However, unlike the last time it was on our radar, Facebook is now a model co-operator. With the goal of putting their products and services on the map, and bringing home the bacon, many users on social media and other online platforms have been involved in trading fake and misleading reviews as a way of reaching their selling point. The thing is, Facebook and eBay users have been using word-of-mouth marketing to go viral. Creating a buzz around your product/service is certainly what sells in this digital age. Good for them! What is […]
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“Saying goodbye to everyone at a party and then proceeding to stick around“ – meaning of Brexiting as branded by the Urban dictionary to describe a specific social faux pas. Though, as of today, it represents an expression not very up-to-date. Namely, Presidents of the European Council Charles Michel and of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK. The EU Parliament’s plenary is on the move and will vote on the agreement on January 29. Respectfully, the last step is the adoption by the Council of the reached decision, on behalf […]
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On 1 January 2020, Serbia rolled out its first court electronic bulletin board service, giving enforcement creditors and enforcement debtors online access to orders and other procedural documentation, which the court or public bailiff failed to serve on them personally. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with USAID Rule of Law Project has made it possible to post enforcement orders and other procedural documentation online, while also giving parties to enforcement proceedings access to information about their enforcement proceedings. The service of written documents and decisions is a key element of civil court proceedings. Consequently, […]
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It is our great pleasure to announce that our Senior Counsel Ognjen Colić participated in the World Bank’s “Enabling the Business of Agriculture in Serbia 2019” by providing the World Bank’s Agriculture team with responses to an exhaustive legal questionnaire addressing key legal matters for businesses and individuals intending to invest in or expand their investments in agriculture in Serbia. As a token of appreciation of Ognjen’s contribution to the project and the Serbian agriculture law expertise he and his team provided, he has been enlisted by the World Bank as one of a select few local agricultural law experts. […]
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