Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații acted for WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, one of Europe's leading companies in water infrastructure, in the awarding of two separate sections of the Cluj - Sălaj water pipeline, with a total worth of almost EUR 60.6 million (300 million RON).

The Cluj - Sălaj pipeline is likely the longest drinking water pipeline in Romania, with a length of over 100 kilometres. It is crucial to providing the best-quality drinking water to the inhabitants of the two counties. The European Union Cohesion Fund is financing up to 85% of the total investment.

The award of these works contract each gave rise to two sets of separate disputes, which were conducted swiftly before the Romanian National Council for the Resolution of Complaints (CNSC) / the competent Court of Appeal. Subsequently, WTE Wassertechnik GmbH had its claims admitted and the contracting authority proceeded to declare it as successful bidder and sign the contracts.

A team of dispute resolution lawyers led by Partner Dan Cristea from Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații provided legal representation in court for WTE Wassertechnik GmbH.

"In our view, this stands out as a really complex case for several reasons. On the one hand, our client's team of experts played a crucial role in explaining the relevant technical circumstances. On the other hand, it was very challenging for our lawyers to structure these explanations into substantial legal topics. Also, in addition to the very high standard of quality and clarity of each Court award, I must note the speedy resolution of these cases: for instance, the appeals were resolved in less than a month after they were lodged, which once again refutes the unfounded stance that disputes would be the cause of delays in award procedures.", said Dan Cristea.

Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații has a leading practice in Dispute Resolution, the firm's pre-eminence in this area being already acknowledged by renowned international publications, such as Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and the Global Arbitration Review.

More so, the firm is a recipient of the 2020 and 2021 "Law Firm of the Year in Romania for Dispute Resolution" Award by Benchmark Litigation Europe (a publication of Euromoney Legal Media Group), one the most coveted and prestigious international accolades for law firms specialising in litigation and arbitration.

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Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații teamed up with law firms from around the world for releasing The Ukraine (UA) Citizen Immigration Information project, an initiative of Ukrainian law firm - Arzinger Law Office and the international network of law firms - Multilaw.

The aim is to assist Ukraine citizens during these turbulent times and so the online resource provides immigration information relating to nearly 30 jurisdictions, including entry requirements such as visa regulations and rules on residence permits, as well as guidance on wider issues such as employment, healthcare, education, banking and finance.

Raluca Chelaru (Managing Associate), Florina Chirilă (Associate) and Dan Borbely (Partner) contributed the relevant content for Romania.

The Q&A is made available by Multilaw, the international network of law firms, upon the initiative of Arzinger Law Office. Answers are being provided both in English and Ukrainian.

The Ukraine (UA) Citizen Immigration Information guide is available on Multilaw's website here.

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Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații has once again been recognised as one of the best law firms in Romania by the 2022 edition of Chambers Europe, released today. The firm is also shortlisted for the "Law Firm of the Year Award" at the 2022 Chambers Europe Awards.

Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații is at the very top of the profession as regards all major areas of law, according to the most recent Chambers Europe edition, the firm's lawyers being highly recognised for their outstanding work in complex projects, including litigation and arbitration. As such, the firm ranks first in Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution, Competition/Antitrust, Intellectual Property/Telecom, Media & IT (TMT). Also, the firm received top rankings in Tax, Projects & Energy, Employment, Real Estate and Banking & Finance.

Furthermore, Chambers Europe singles out our team's professional skills and excellence in client service, with 14 lawyers and tax advisors being named as "Leading Individuals" in this year's edition of the guide. 

Once again, Chambers Europe's editors note that Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații has a "longstanding presence at the top end of the Romanian market". As a matter of fact, in recognition of the firm's pre-eminence in the market, Chambers Europe has this year once again shortlisted Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații for the "Law Firm of the Year Award" at the annual Chambers Europe Awards gala. Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații is a multiple award-winning law firm, having won this prestigious trophy three times so far.

For nearly 30 years, Chambers & Partners has published the world's leading guides to the legal profession and has built a reputation for in-depth, objective research, covering 200 jurisdictions throughout the world. According to Chambers Europe's editors, 288 submissions were received from Romania for the Chambers Europe 2022 edition.

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Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații advised a club of banks (led by OTP Bank Romania S.A. as arranger, facility agent and security agent) in relation to a RON 431 million syndicated facility agreement for the financing of Aaylex One group, a Romanian based leading player in the food industry.

The syndicated loan was made available for the financing of several bilateral loans granted by the financing banks part of the syndicate, namely OTP Bank Romania S.A., CEC Bank S.A., First Bank S.A., Banca de Export Import a Romaniei EximBank S.A. and International Investment Bank, which triggered complex negotiations and structuring of the financing documentation.

"We were very pleased to be involved in this transaction. The very tight timeframe in which the negotiation and finalisation of the transaction documentation were conducted, as well as the legal topics addressed in the contracts involved a significant joint effort, with corresponding professional satisfactions upon the successful closing of the transaction." said Mihai Dudoiu, Partner and Co-head of the firm's Banking and Finance practice group.

The core team from Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații advising the syndicate of banks consisted of Mihai Dudoiu, Partner and Cătălin Georgescu, Managing Associate.

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Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații received a "Gold" rating in the latest WTR 1000 rankings both as regards the firm's relevant expertise with Enforcement and Litigation, as well as Prosecution and Strategy. Also, Ciprian Dragomir, Head of the firm's IP practice group was rated as a "Gold" individual. 

The WTR 1000 identifies the leading professionals and firms that are deemed outstanding at obtaining, protecting, managing, enforcing and monetising trademarks.

WTR 1000 - the World's Leading Trademark Professionals - a unique guide covering the top trademark professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe. The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise.

Full rankings are available here.

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A team of banking and finance lawyers from Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații advised Partners for Growth VI, L.P. on Romanian law aspects related to the accession, as additional guarantor and security provider, of the Romanian subsidiary (Splend Technology S.R.L.) of the Splend group to an Australian law governed loan note subscription agreement (equivalent of more than EUR 25 million).

The team included Partner Mihai Dudoiu, Managing Associate Cătălin Georgescu, and Associate Sorina Stefoni. Also, Hamilton Locke acted as Australian lead counsel of Partners for Growth VI, L.P.

Splend Group is a global leader in providing cars to on-demand drivers, offering training, data analytics and car rentals for ride-hailing drivers on either a rent-to-buy or for-lease basis. The company founded in Sydney has expanded over the years across Australia and Europe, its entrance on the Romanian market being made in 2017.

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Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații was rated as a First-Tier law firm by Media Law International (MLI), a specialist guide to the global leaders in media law practice.

The MLI editors note that "the firm's leading media and advertising group attracts multiple clients from the broadcast sector. With assistance including legal and regulatory, the firm's service areas cover a range of matters including television distribution, digital broadcasting and authorisation. Lawyers have extensive experience advising on electronic communication and audio-visual law. The team is highly regarded for its entertainment and publishing specialisations."

Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații has a leading media law practice as part of its wider Telecom, Media and Technology (TMT) practice group which comprises lawyers with strong industry expertise and knowledge. Heads of team are Vlad Cercel (Partner) and Cătălin Băiculescu (Partner).

Media Law International (MLI) provides comprehensive coverage of firms and practitioners with media law expertise, across 56 jurisdictions.

More details about this year's rankings are available here.

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Chambers Global 2022 singles out Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații for its expertise in Corporate and M&A, as well as Banking and Finance.

The legal directory also praises the Romanian law firm for its International & Cross-Border Capabilities: "The team remains a popular choice for clients seeking coordinating counsel in cross-border mandates, particularly within the Romanian-centred CEE regional remit. It is known to cooperate seamlessly with international counsel on complex matters."

Corporate/M&A Partner Cătălin Băiculescu and Banking and Finance Partner Mihai Dudoiu have both been recognised for their impressive activity in these areas.

Corporate and M&A (Band 1):

• Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații has a "longstanding presence at the top end of the Romanian market. Has demonstrable capacity to handle the local law aspects of international-driven global corporate deals that are coordinated by international counsel. Acts on the full scope of corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions, divestments, transfers of business and private equity deals. Offers expertise in cross-border intra-group restructuring".
• "Cătălin Băiculescu handles M&A transactions in the TMT, life sciences, and food and beverage sectors. Cătălin Băiculescu is "hard-working and dedicated to his clients," one client remarks, going on to add that he is "very down to earth and friendly," as well as being "a smooth negotiator and excellent drafter."

Banking and Finance (Band 3):

• Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații has an "established team noted for its experience representing both lenders and borrowers in financing projects, particularly assisting with real estate and acquisition finance, as well as corporate finance mandates. Represents clients in cross-border NPL transactions. Also assists with capital markets mandates, including bond and note issuances, as well as equity raises and regulatory compliance mandates."
• "Mihai Dudoiu is popular among clients from the banking and financial services sector for advising them on NPL transactions, credit facility agreements and real estate finance deals. One client reports that he is "very composed and reasonable in understanding the other party's view," while another client describes him as "very tactful, calm and a solution finder."

More details about the recently released guide may be found here.

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