Clifford Chance
We handle intricate domestic and multi-jurisdictional matters for our clients. With three decades of experience in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, we have a broad understanding of the local and Central and Eastern European markets.
A team that works hard for our clients
Our team is made up of four partners and approximately 40 fee-earners, featuring lawyers with qualifications in English, Czech, and Slovak law. We opened up our Prague office in 1995 and collaborate with clients on a local, regional, and global level.
Transactions that make domestic and international headlines
We take a one firm approach to our clients' needs with integrated cross-practice and cross-border teams working together to ensure success. We work together seamlessly to make the most of our resources, which include 3,300 lawyers across our international network, ensuring they benefit all our clients. We can also bring in the specialized skills of globally-recognized, top-ranked lawyers to help the clients hit their business goals when needed.
This collaborative approach, and the expertise of our talented legal professionals, regularly delivers headline-making results for our clients.
Complex projects across the CEE region
Our Prague office plays a crucial role in our CEE network. We have close working-relationships with colleagues from across the region and with partner law firms in neighbouring countries where we do not have our own office.
The firm's reach in the region is further expanded by foreign law desks, such as our Prague-based Slovak Desk which features a team of lawyers with expert knowledge and practical experience of Slovak law.
Our integrated regional practices help clients solve complex questions that involve several CEE countries.
Recent highlights
Our office advised:
- KKCG, an international invest group, in an acquisition of a 100 % share in the end-to-end software engineering and consulting platform Avenga from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management and funds managed by Cornerstone Investment Management.
- Finep, a prominent Czech developer, in the sale of a residential complex in Hloubětín to the Mint residential fund for almost CZK 1 billion.
- Komerční banka in connection with the financing of the acquisition of CSAD Praha Holding by Penta Real Estate. The transaction, which involves the purchase of prime parcels in Prague, marked a significant move in the real estate development sector.
- in the acquisition of Respekt magazine by a joint venture entity comprising Denník N, Independent Press Foundation, Aegis Foundation, and Respekt editorial team. This deal carried exceptional importance due to its commercial aspects and pro bono work.
- Rezolv Energy, a subsidiary of Actis and a leading independent renewable energy producer in Central and Eastern Europe, in relation to its acquisition of a project to develop and operate a 229 MW solar power plant in Bulgaria.
- a club of banks, consisting of major Czech and Austrian market players, coordinated by Česká spořitelna, Československá obchodní banka and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia and further comprising of Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank and Raiffeisen Bank International in connection with financing of acquisition of Meopta – optika and its subsidiaries by Carlyle.
- Arçelik, one of the world's leading home appliances and consumer durables companies, on the establishment of a joint venture between Arçelik's subsidiary Ardutch and Whirlpool Corporation's subsidiary Whirpool EMEA Holdings to create a new standalone business in the European home appliances sector.
- a club of banks led by UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, as mandated lead arranger and sole global coordinator, and with Česká spořitelna, Československá obchodní banka, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Intesa Sanpaolo, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank and Všeobecná úverová banka as arrangers, in connection with green and sustainability-linked long-term secured club financing relating to Czech residential portfolio located in Ostrava and Pilsen provided to Heimstaden
- Finep in the sale of the Harfa project's expansion comprising 220 new residential units to Dostupné bydlení České spořitelny.
- Allegro, the most popular shopping platform in Poland and one of the world’s top ten e-commerce websites, on its acquisition of 100% of the shares of Mall Group and WE I DO from the selling shareholders PPF, EC Investments, and Rockaway Capital.
Slovak Desk
The firm's reach in the region is further expanded by foreign law desks, such as our Prague-based Slovak Desk which features a team of lawyers with expert knowledge and practical experience of Slovak law.
Recent Slovak Desk highlights include advising:
- Všeobecná úverová banka, Slovakia's second largest bank and a subsidiary of an Italian international banking group Intesa Sanpaolo, on its second issuance of EUR 500 million in covered bonds, which were subsequently listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. This mandate resulted in the total issuance of a remarkable EUR 1 billion in covered bonds. This achievement stood as a significant breakthrough within the Slovak covered bond market.
- KKCG Technology, an ICT pillar of KKCG Group, on complete refinancing of its existing bank indebtedness and further recapitalization of the group members around Europe, including the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
- MET Group on the Slovak aspects of a €1.23 billion syndicated Multicurrency Secured Revolving Borrowing Base Facility structured and led by ING Bank as Coordinator, along with Natixis and Société Générale as active Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers, and was backed by a syndicate of 12 additional international banks.
- CTP, Europe's largest listed owner, developer and manager of logistics and industrial real estate by GLA, in connection with financing of industrial parks owned and developed by CTP in Slovakia. The new facilities were provided by a banking club consisting of Erste Group Bank and Slovenská sporiteľňa.
- a club of major Czech banks headed by Česká spořitelna and comprising UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia and the Czech branch of Citibank Europe in connection with Slovak legal aspects of the CZK 1 billion club financing for Packeta, a global digital e-commerce platform managing the shipping process between e-shops and their customers, and its subsidiaries.
- LCN Capital Partners, a leading real estate investment firm, on sale and lease back acquisition of a portfolio consisting of 11 car showrooms located in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and related financing obtained from UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia.
- ARETE, the investment and real estate group, in connection with the Slovak aspects of bank financing of its portfolio in excess of one hundred million euros which was signed with a consortium of banks Česká spořitelna and Slovenská sporiteľňa.
- Komerční banka, a member of the international financial group Société Générale, and further consisting of Raiffeisenbank and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, in connection with financing of acquisition of agricultural companies of Spearhead group in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, for undisclosed price.
Directory and client comments
Chambers & Partners: the Czech Republic 2024
- Band 1 in Banking & Finance
- Band 1 in Corporate/M&A
- Band 1 in Real Estate
The Legal 500: the Czech Republic 2024
- Tier 1 in Banking, finance and capital markets
- Tier 1 in Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Tier 1 in Real estate and construction
IFLR1000: the Czech Republic 2023
- Tier 1 in Banking and finance
- Tier 1 in Capital markets: Debt
- Tier 1 in Restructuring/Insolvency
"The banking team at Clifford Chance is very good at thinking holistically. Our financing arrangements and corporate structure are pretty complicated and the team always grasps the whole picture."
Chambers & Partners: Banking & Finance, Czech Republic 2024
"Clifford Chance is able to handle the matters thanks to its highly educated and experienced employees and its international network."
Chambers & Partners: Tax, Czech Republic 2024
"It is one of the top law firms in the Czech Republic. The team is strong in cross-border deals."
Chambers & Partners: Corporate/M&A, Czech Republic 2024
"A professional team which delivered high-quality advice and drafting, in accordance with very tight deadlines."
The Legal 500: Dispute resolution, Czech Republic 2024
"I can recommend Clifford Chance as lawyers with very precise in-depth knowledge, not just of the law but of the procedures."
Chambers & Partners: Restructuring & Insolvency, Czech Republic 2024
"Clifford Chance has the strongest real estate practice from all the law firms in the Czech market. This relates in particular to real estate and M&A transactions."
The Legal 500: Real estate and construction, Czech Republic 2024
"The cases were handled with great organisation within the firm's teams and with practical involvement of correct elements."
Chambers & Partners: Compliance, Czech Republic 2024
