Corporate & Commercial

The key component practices within our group are further elaborated below:

Joint Ventures

Many foreign corporations have relied on joint ventures to penetrate the Serbian market while gaining immediate local expertise at the same time. We have extensive experience in advising on joint ventures and strategic alliances, and have advised on numerous major cross border joint ventures in Serbia. In addition, we have also handled many smaller scale joint ventures, advising foreign investors as well as domestic companies.

Our deep understanding of the law, sound commercial mindedness and comprehensive experience in establishing and providing ongoing services to joint ventures allow us to provide special insight into problems and issues that arise frequently and that the foreign investor or the domestic company should consider, including among others, issues relating to corporate governance and dispute resolution.

Strategic Planning / Establishing a Business in Serbia / Foreign Direct Investments

We have represented numerous foreign and multinational corporations across a wide spectrum of sectors that have established business operations in Serbia. Our practice covers an entire range of services from strategic planning to establishing a business in Serbia, including advising on daily operations, as well as acquisition and disposal of businesses.

For a multinational or foreign corporation planning to operate in Serbia, it is important to select the most appropriate form of business entity that matches the intended business objectives, such as a wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture, branch or liaison office. In this regard, we provide our clients with advice in making such a selection, preparing all necessary documentation for any government approvals, and assisting in obtaining such approvals on a timely basis.

Our team of dedicated lawyers is well versed in working across industries and navigating the regulations associated with legal frameworks. They also have substantial experience in advising on joint ventures and foreign investments for both domestic and international clients, including structuring investments, advising on inter-shareholder rights, carrying out due diligence, advising on transfer and valuation of assets (including stamp duty issues and exemptions), taxation and employment advice, drafting, reviewing and negotiating joint venture documents, advising on trademarks, patents, copyrights in terms of protection of the intellectual property rights, and advising on compliance with regulatory requirements.

Once a business entity is established, we provide a full range of post establishment and related services, including advising on additional capitalisation, debt issuances, change of business entity, public offerings, office or factory site location and leasing, and various commercial agreements.

Commercial Agreements

We advise on a wide range of commercial agreements that form the basic building blocks of our clients’ businesses. Experience in this area includes drafting contracts and agreements relating to outsourcing, licensing arrangements, research and development, consultancy, manufacturing, agency, distribution and franchising.

Regulatory and Compliance

Regulatory work demands an eclectic mix of creative input, relevant experience and a good understanding, not just of administrative law but also the way specific regulators tend to act and react. Our unique approach ensures our clients receive all of the above, and more.

We act for regulators as well as for corporations and individuals who need to engage different regulators at various stages of complicated administrative process. This gives us a unique insight of issues faced by all parties involved, enabling us to handle cases which range from routine to highly complex, in both contentious and non-contentious settings.

Corporate Secretarial Services

We assist clients in applications to regulatory and governmental authorities for incentive schemes, advising on regulatory and compliance issues, and providing corporate secretarial services (through our corporate secretarial team) which includes company incorporation, provision of registered office and business address, and immigration services.

Immigration and Relocation

We have expertise in advising foreign individuals and families in applying for Serbia citizenship or permanent residency status under various schemes available in Serbia. We also advise on work pass issues for individuals looking to migrate to Serbia, including assistance in obtaining visas for family members and staff.