CEE Legal Matters

Category: North Macedonia

  • Polenak Advises NLB Bank Skopje on Loan to East Gate

    Polenak has advised NLB Bank Skopje, as part of a syndicate including other regional banks NLB Ljubljana, Raiffeisen Bank Albania, Komercijalna Banka Skopje, and Halk Bank Skopje, on a EUR 72 million syndicated loan to East Gate. East Gate was advised by solo practitioner Zeqir Zeqiri.

    Polenak’s team was led by Managing Partner Kristijan Polenak and included Partner Tatjana Shishkovska.

    Editor’s note: The Polenak team’s composition has been corrected.

    In addition, after this article was published, CEE Legal Matters learned that the Law Office Karmen Rebesco prepared the LMA finance documents and advised NLB dd. on the deal.

  • Polenak Advises EBRD on EUR 20 Million Loan to Sparkasse Bank Makedonija

    Polenak has advised the EBRD on a EUR 20 million loan to Sparkasse Bank Makedonija.

    According to Polenak, the loan is “to support local private businesses and corporates affected by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.”

    Polenak’s team included Partner Tatjana Shishkovska and Associate Ana Petrovska-Belopeta.

  • The Buzz in North Macedonia: Interview with Tatjana Shishkovska of the Polenak Law Firm

    “NATO accession and the green-light to opening EU accession talks were strong indicators of political stability in North Macedonia in March this year“ begins Tatjana Shishkovska, Partner at the Polenak Law Firm in Skopje. “But the COVID-19 crisis has made things more complicated.“

    Shishkovska reports that the parliamentary elections that were initially scheduled for April 12 are now expected to occur in July. But, in fact, they may be moved yet again. “We are currently at the end of the declared state of emergency, but, with the number of new COVID-19 cases rising every day, we might yet see another extension,“ she says. “Until the elections do happen, the current political situation will be imbued with uncertainty and unpredictability, which will most certainly be a turn-off for investors.“

    For the time being, North Macedonia still has a transitional government in place. “The transient government rules via decrees which have the power of law,“ Shishkovska explains, “and the brunt of these decrees have been tackling the fallout of the crisis, in terms of public health and the economy.“ The economic stimulus measures, she says, have been “focusing primarily on SMEs, whereas larger companies – the ones that create a lot of jobs too – have been left out.“ According to her, these larger companies, which are mostly export-orientated, are not on the “government’s radar right now.“

    Shishkovska reports that the projections for North Macedonia’s economy currently predict “an 11% contraction in the GDP with no clear bounce-back analysis done as of yet.” All things considered, she says, it could have been worse. “I feel like we’ve been successful at absorbing the initial hit of the crisis – there have been no massive layoffs and it would seem that the service economy will be doing better once the country opens up a bit more.“ Still, she says, it is “impossible to make a definitive prediction at this point, we are going to have to wait a few months more.“

    Finally, Shishkovska says that “what the COVID-19 crisis taught us is that indeed the future came faster,” and she points to the fact that the legal market has adopted a more digital approach to doing business “almost overnight.” According to her, “we, and I believe most of the law firms, switched to remote work, or half-in half-out, in order to reduce risks and exposure.” She reports that, “this switch enabled us to retain the levels of productivity that are similar to what we had before the crisis, and I hope the good practice of digitalization stays in place even after the crisis ends.“

  • North Macedonia: Medical Cannabis in North Macedonia

    Cultivation of medical cannabis has become a lucrative business in recent years. Countries around the world have started legalizing this controversial crop, approving medical cannabis in particular in some capacity. In 2018, Canada made history by passing the Cannabis Act, thus becoming the first industrialized nation in the world (and second overall, after Uruguay) to pass legislation allowing adults to purchase marijuana. In addition, over 33 states in the USA have made the use of cannabis legal for medical purposes.

    Not only does this legislation ease the lives of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and even cancer, it also represents a boon to the economy.

    A study conducted in the US state of Colorado has found that that state’s taxed and regulated cannabis industry contributed more than USD 58 million to the local economy, with spikes in housing values and predictions of increasing employment.

    It is therefore not surprising that there is an increase in investments in the business of cultivation and production of cannabis in countries where it is allowed.

    Over 30 countries around the world have legalized the use of medical cannabis, with Europe being the most progressive continent. On the Balkan peninsula, this crop has been legalized for medical use only in Croatia and North Macedonia; in Slovenia, cannabis-based drugs are allowed for medicinal use, but not cannabis itself.

    Legal Framework

    In 2016, the Republic of North Macedonia made changes to its Law on the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, defining the terms “hemp,” “hemp seed oil,” and “cannabis/hemp oil” for the first time as well as regulating the procedure for cultivation and production of hemp by adding institutional control and providing criminal provisions and sanctions for violation of the law.

    Cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes is allowed only to legal entities which have obtained a license from the Ministry of Health upon prior consent from the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.

    Hemp cultivated in North Macedonia can be processed in the country only from a legal entity that has a license for the production of cannabis extracts.

    New Law in Parliamentary Procedure

    A new Law on the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances was in parliamentary procedure before the parliamentary elections were announced, and it is expected to pass after the parliamentary elections in April of this year. The purpose of this draft law is to ensure better control of opiates and psychotropic substances.

    The most important innovation in the draft law is that it allows the export of the dry flower obtained by cultivating cannabis for medical purposes. This allows cannabis cultivating companies to place their manufactured quantities of a dry herbal product on the European markets and beyond while complying with international conventions and European legislation on the matter.

    Market Overview in North Macedonia

    So far, over 30 companies have obtained licenses to cultivate cannabis for medical purposes from the Government of North Macedonia, and this number is expected to rise in the months and years to come. There is major interest in investing in this business due to the rapidly increasing prices of dry cannabis flower and cannabis oil on the world market. The Prime Minister of North Macedonia has called upon investors who have the resources to invest in this business because of its high profitability. This will also open new jobs and contribute to the increased growth of the local economy.

    Currently, there is no registry of the cultivators and manufacturers of cannabis and hemp. The Ministry of Health is responsible for issuing licenses and for other matters related to cannabis and hemp for medicinal purposes.

    In conclusion, the medical cannabis market in North Macedonia, albeit new, has proven to be a fertile ground for companies looking to invest in the sector. Despite being strictly regulated, the market is expected to grow in coming years, especially since the Government is encouraging investors to make North Macedonia the new home for their cannabis cultivation and production business.

    The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

    By Goran Radosevic, Partner, and Veton Qoku, Attorney at Law in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners

    This Article was originally published in Issue 7.3 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.

  • The Buzz in North Macedonia: Interview with Elena Dimova-Ivanoska of Cakmakova Advocates

    “What we have currently is a technical government,“ says Elena Dimova-Ivanoska, Junior Partner at Cakmakova Advocates, “made up from both the current ruling coalition members and the opposition, and formed to oversee the period leading up to the parliamentary elections which were to take place this April.“ These plans were cut short by the COVID-19 crisis, when the technical government was handed a far more complex task to resolve.

    North Macedonia has been under a state of emergency since March 18, with all legislative proceedings halted and all legislative power ceded to the technical government, which rules via decree. “The state of emergency is due to end on May 16,“ Dimova-Ivanoska says, “and what comes after that is still unclear. Still, the technical government has been more than active, with making legislative changes daily, sometimes even more than once!“ Dimova-Ivanoska reports most of these changes to have to do with health and the economy, but she describes the rate at which they are adopted and announced is “beyond fast.“

    “The most important decree we’ve seen so far is the one that provides a stimulus for businesses of EUR 235 per employee, for April and May, which is contingent on the company’s not firing people and maintaining its head-counts until the end of July.” This decree was passed on April 7, she says, and was “changed three times over the course of four weeks – and this immediately before the application deadline!“ The resulting legal uncertainty, she says, forced “a lot of businesses to wait with their applications until the deadline. We’re all waiting to see how this measure will work out in practice.“

    Taking a wider angle, Dimova-Ivanoska reports that “a lot of companies have been hit hard by the crisis. Many people lost their jobs in the past few months, and a lot of businesses are working with limited capacity or have completely closed for the time being.“ Still, she says, she expects lay-off rates to drop, with more and more firms applying for the stimulus. “I think that the situation will be stabilized, come August/September,“ she says optimistically, “even though it will take a lot of time to get back to pre-crisis levels.“

    Finally, Dimova-Ivanoska reports that online retail is booming right now. “Telecommunication companies, media companies, cable companies – they’re doing great right now, a lot of work is coming their way,“ she says. “Also, companies that produce medical devices and protection, disinfection materials, and the like have soared, as expected.“ She says that this switch to a more “online way of doing business“ constitutes a strong silver lining of the crisis. “Economic transactions, education, G2B, and G2C communication – these were all long overdue for an online overhaul. We can only hope that this trend continues post-crisis and that authorities invest in putting and keeping these systems in place.“

    Editor’s note: On May 18, CEE Legal Matters learned that the state of emergency in Northern Macedonia had been extended until May 30.

  • Polenak advises EBRD on First Investment Since Covid-19 Outbreak

    The Polenak Law Firm has advised the EBRD in a new EUR 2.5 million loan to Ohridska Banka AD Skopje under the Green Economy Financing Facility program, which is supported by the EU, Austria, and Western Balkans Investment Framework.

    According to Polenak, the funds provided to Ohridska Banka by the EBRD “will help the country withstand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its economy by supporting private homeowners’ investments in green technologies and materials for their homes, as well as investment in boilers, windows, and lighting. The country’s building stock is in urgent need of refurbishment and the introduction of insulation, for example, is expected to lower bills and improve comfort.”

    Andi Aranitasi, EBRD Head of North Macedonia, said: “The signing of this loan today shows that the EBRD is standing by its partner banks and is ready to support them under all circumstances. We note that demand for energy efficiency loans continues in this time of crisis and we are available to serve clients in support of North Macedonia’s transition to a green economy.”

    The EBRD is a major institutional investor in North Macedonia, and to date it has invested EUR 2 billion in 131 projects in the country.

    The Polenak team was led by Partner Tatjana Shishkovska and included Associate Ana Petrovska-Belopeta.

    Ohridska Banka AD Skopje did not use an external legal counsel.

  • Polenak Advises GOFI SA on Sale of Eurolink Osiguruvanje AD Skopje to GRAWE

    Polenak has advised Switzerland’s GOFI SA on its EUR 17.5 million sale of 100% of Eurolink Osiguruvanje AD Skopje to GRAWE.

    Eurolink Osiguruvanje AD Skopje, which was established in 2002, is a North Macedonian non-life insurance company. Polenak describes the firm as “the market leader in voluntary health insurance, accident insurance, travel aid and general liability insurance, and strongly holds the second position in overall non-life insurance.”

    GRAWE is Austria-based insurance group, with subsidiaries in Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Macedonia, and Montenegro.

    Polenak’s team was led by Managing Partner Kristijan Polenak, assisted by Junior Partner Tatjana Shishkovska.

     

  • The Buzz in North Macedonia: Interview with Gjorgji Georgievski of ODI Law

    “The Parliament was disbanded in February and we’re reaching peak election campaign time,“ begins Gjorgji Georgievski, Partner at ODI Law in North Macedonia. “Election day is April 12, and the heat is on.“ Georgievski believes that the election between the ruling Social Democrats and the right-wing opposition VMRO-DPMNE party is going be tight.

    “It is very, very difficult to predict what will happen with these elections,“ Georgievski says, reporting that VMRO-DPMNE, which was the ruling party before the Social Democrats, has lost the faith of the people, while the ruling party, “hasn’t really implemented any meaningful reforms in the past four years.“ According to him, whichever party wins, it will do so by a narrow margin. “VMRO-DPMNE won 51 seats in the previous parliamentary elections – to Social Democrats’ 49 – but they failed to strike a coalition deal. These elections are likely to have a similar outcome, in terms of seat distribution,“ he says, adding that as a result, the elections will most likely not bring about much change.

    “One of the final things the previous Parliament did was enact a new data protection act, which mirrors the GDPR,” Georgievski says, noting that the new act provides for harsher maximum financial punishments – up to 4% of the company’s yearly turnover, just like the GDPR. “The new act has been in play since February 24 with a transitional period of 18 months so that businesses can adjust.“

    “What didn’t make it past Parliament, and is very important, is the new payment systems framework,“ Georgievski states. The new framework would harmonize the law of North Macedonia with that of the EU – in particular the Payment Services Directive 2. “It would enable the country to have a FinTech market, would liberalize payments, and would introduce open banking,“ he says. “The new Parliament – whichever party wins – will likely pass this first thing.”

    However, what may change, depending on who wins the elections, is the legal status of medical cannabis in the country. “This was a very hot topic in North Macedonia over the past few years,“ Georgievski says, reporting that there are “45-50 companies registered to do business in this area, along with many more that are ready to invest.“ The problem for many of these companies is that they lack a Good Manufacturing Practice certificate. “Without the GMP these companies are precluded from exporting or selling their stock – which leaves a lot of unusable cannabis laying around, so some of these producers teamed up and started organizing protests trying to pressure the Government to pass new legislation which would enable them to export cannabis like a flower.“ Georgievski reports that the Government failed to enact a law before the Parliament disbanded, making the outcome of the elections especially important. “If the Social Democrats win and form a coalition, this act will pass for sure, but if VMRO-DPMNE wins, they may feel differently about the issue.“ Georgievski reports that the cannabis industry holds great potential for North Macedonia and could lead to “staggering growth of the economy.“

  • “Little Schengen” Project in a Nutshell – What Does It Mean For Your Business?

    “Little Schengen” Project in a Nutshell – What Does It Mean For Your Business?

    If the Western Balkan countries are in your business spotlight, you must have heard about the “Little Schengen” project that was discussed between the governments of Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia, and the signing of the consequent Declaration on Establishment of Free Movement of People, Goods and Services on October 10, 2019 between the leaders of these countries (“Little Schengen Declaration”). Although it may be argued that the “Little Schengen” project comes as an answer to the fact that the “Big Schengen” is still out of the reach for these Balkan countries, closer economic cooperation between the Western Balkan countries is a trend that’s being going on for a while. In particular, four months prior to the signing of the Little Schengen Declaration, North Macedonia and Serbia signed an agreement to establish joint controls at the border crossing point of the road between North Macedonia and Serbia (the “Bilateral Agreement”).

    The main idea behind both the Little Schengen Declaration and the Bilateral Agreement is to lift barriers on the movement of goods, services, and people between the Western Balkan countries. So, politics aside, what does it mean for your business?

    The Little Schengen Declaration stipulates cooperation, mainly, in: (1) the free movement of goods: (i.e., enhancing border crossing point procedures and infrastructure, and mutually recognizing of documentation accompanying goods); (2) the free movement of people and freedom to provide services (i.e.: (i) allowing the movement of people with possession of ID card starting in 2020; (ii) ensuring unique stay and working permits; (iii) regulating social security and employment requirements; (iv) recognizing professional qualifications and mobility; and (v) strengthening cross border cooperation); and the free movement of capital to increase investments across the region.

    The Little Schengen Project should mean cheaper products and services, with less paperwork, which should contribute to greater economic cooperation. In addition, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania would be presented as a single market to foreign investors. If the “Little Schengen” is seen as a customs union, it would be a positive step for the region’s reintegration. This would facilitate increased business (at lower costs) between neighboring countries, which would have a positive impact on economic growth.

    For its part, the Bilateral Agreement increases the possibilities for further strengthening and improving mutually beneficial and well-balanced long-term economic cooperation between Serbia and North Macedonia. The parties agreed to establish joint controls at the Presevo-Tabanovce border crossing point. These joint controls started at the end of August 2019. Based on this positive experience, North Macedonia initiated a similar form of cooperation with Albania as well.

    In concept, the joint controls will act as a one-stop-shop and simplify customs procedures, with the control of vehicles and goods carried out in one place. The main benefits of the implementation of joint controls as a one-stop-shop include: (i) decreasing the border crossing time and reducing unnecessary delays (thus accelerating freight traffic); (ii) providing a higher degree of coordination of border controls (reducing the likelihood of customs fraud by allowing for a direct inspection of documents as part of goods control and enforcement of border formalities); (iii) lowering costs for companies (the quicker flow of goods will reduce the costs of cross-border trade, which will significantly cheapen freight transport and provide greater competitiveness for importers and exporters); and (iv) minimizing the opportunities for smuggling and fraud (companies would not be able to present different values for goods, since the value of goods exported from Serbia or abroad would have to be the same in the documents for North Macedonia).

    The implementation of these projects should have a positive impact on regional economic growth, although the projects are in their initial phase and many issues (especially involving legal aspects) which are necessary for the realization of the planned cooperation in practice remain unresolved. It is expected that the implementation of these kind of initiatives and business reforms will increase economic cooperation by providing better transport connectivity between the countries of the Western Balkans, which should result in greater economic development of the region.

    By Marija Filipovska, Partner, and Dusan Bosiljanov, Attorney at Law, CMS Skopje

    This Article was originally published in Issue 6.12 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.

  • Inside Insight: Jasmina Ginoska of Eurostandard Bank

    Inside Insight: Jasmina Ginoska of Eurostandard Bank

    An interview with the long-time Head of Legal at Eurostandard Bank in Macedonia

    CEELM: Can you walk us through your career?

    Jasmina: My 19 years of professional experience in legal matters started with the simple but important position of trainee attorney, during which time I prepared for the bar exam. I recall those two years with great pleasure, since what I learned then proved to be a solid base of expertise for today, including the insight that paying attention to every issue relevant to a legal matter is crucial for success, and if you are not enthusiastic about law, if you are not into legal matters, you won’t be able to go through the thousands of pages of documents and spend many hours in the office and be happy with the job. The next two years, as an associate attorney at Georgi Dimitrov Attorneys, I focused on business law, and then I decided to accept an invitation to become legal adviser to the International Council of Investors – a business and investment community gathered in an association of foreign investors – during which time I learned a great deal not only about the law, but also administrative and financial issues and project management. Five years later I made the change to the banking industry. I accepted an offer to become a legal officer at Eurostandard Bank, and was promoted after three years to Head of Legal Affairs, a role I have performed for the last eight years. In addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, I also hold two Master’s degrees, in International Relations and Political Science, which expanded my professional outlook as well.

    CEELM: What are the most significant changes you’ve seen in Balkan legal markets over your 19-year career?

    Jasmina: In general, the most important changes have taken place after the members of the European Council declared in 2003 that the future of the Balkan countries lies is in the European Union. This set the stage for the EU-integration process, which required the reform of the legal and regulatory climates, the attraction of foreign investment, and the building of new institutions.

    The inclusion of Balkan countries in the association and stabilization process and the granting of candidate status to them changed the legal market by implementing trade-related EU laws, reforming public administration and the judiciary, enhancing the business environment through a regulatory guillotine project, and reforming the tax regimes. 

    The Balkan countries have faced the long and hard process of adjusting to a market economy, and they started their transition later than most CEE countries, which affected the process of integrating into the EU. They have passed through the process of stabilization and reconstruction but continue to face the challenge of shifting to an environment of sustainable development. The fact remains that the rule of law is inevitably a prerequisite for running all businesses.

    CEELM: Tell us about Eurostandard Bank Skopje, and about the company’s legal department. How big is your team, and how is it structured?

    Jasmina: This year the bank turned 18 years old. It is a mid-sized bank, but it offers significant and fast access to its products and services thanks to its wide retail network, especially after it merged with Post Bank in 2014. This year is particularly important for Eurostandard Bank as the new management has announced its intention to turn it into one of the leading banks in the country. A new marketing campaign started in October with the introduction of a new MastercardPrePaid Contactless GIFT card. New products and services are focused on the younger population, aiming at smart spending and an enhanced quality of living.

    The bank’s Legal department is structured as part of the Bank Secretariat. It operates successfully with two lawyers responsible for various legal matters, such as litigation, contract management, debt collection and enforced payment, and support to credit lines and operations. Considering this wide range of activities – and especially considering the significant success we have achieved so far – it is obvious that its strength lies in the strong qualifications, proficiency, and sensible management of the small team. In these circumstances, success can result only by adhering to a strict schedule, providing clear terms and defined deadlines, and observing the need for both individual focus and efficient teamwork. Fortunately, the tension should lessen soon, as the need to increase the department size has been recognized. To realize this goal, the bank plans to do what is necessary to attract highly-qualified lawyers. 

    CEELM: Are there changes you would like to see in Macedonian law that would make things easier for the bank?

    Jasmina: In general there is a need for clearer definition of the law and relevant regulations.

    Despite the fact that the banking industry is already heavily regulated, there is a room to enhance anti-money laundering and anti-bribery corruption measures in both the public and private sector that will facilitate the management of risk of financial crime. Also, in light of the increased reliance on external service providers, I would like to see the introduction of up-to-date principles and programs related to third party risk transfer and management.

    CEELM: What is your typical day at work like?

    Jasmina: Despite the outsourcing trends in litigation, in-house lawyers are challenged to efficiently solve any legal situation or issue that might occur on a daily basis, promptly and in compliance with regulatory standards and laws. This means that various issues might be on a daily menu, from providing legal advice and support to other departments (including top management) to creating good corporate and sustainable internal policies, tailored to the bank’s organizational needs and processes.

    Basically, members of the legal department are challenged on a daily basis to master the balance between the need to provide legal support to the credit department and the need to improve legal stability and minimize risk by offering legal assistance to each department at all levels in the bank. We also put special effort into managing contract risk, which so far has been very successful. Debt collection is a special aspect, as in the Balkans payment capability often varies, so that it can easily become either low or unstable, resulting in clients often becoming either debtors or defendants. Therefore we put significant effort into resolving any legal situation before it becomes mature, to avoid court or enforced payment, and that requires not only clear procedures of conduct, but also a strong business ethic, as well as professionalism and negotiating and persuasion skills.  

    The fulfilment of all these tasks, along with our management of various disputes and enforcement procedures, requires a dedicated and consistent daily effort, teamwork, and information exchange, which – along with the overall coordination, communication, and management – mark every single one of my days.  

    CEELM: Was it always your plan to go (and stay) in-house?

    Jasmina: I am convinced that trying different areas of practice and changing your professional environment allows you to feel the differences, to grow, to see other perspectives, to learn, and to push yourself forward.  I am also convinced that experiencing various sectors and an advanced education are crucial for successful career development. Driven by my pursuit of these goals, I have managed to upgrade my educational background and extend my area of proficiency above the minimum needed to act as an attorney, and exactly this approach influenced my career choices.

    From the other side, I strongly believe that my experience as an attorney significantly contributes to my success as an in-house lawyer. The shift to international surroundings and later the banking industry was motivated by the broadening and deepening of my experience. 

    This is why, beside the main focus on management and coordinating the overall legal service, including contracting, settling disputes, and litigation (which has been my main domain more than decade), I have also been appointed a member of various professional committees at the bank that needed my specific expertise, which itself is a confirmation that my professional background is recognized as desirable for success. 

    CEELM: What was your biggest single success or greatest achievement with Eurostandard Bank in terms of particular projects or challenges? What one thing are you proudest of?

    Jasmina: I am especially proud that, since my appointment as the person in charge of managing the increased legal risk which resulted from the merged litigation registers of Eurostandard Bank and Post Bank following their integration in 2014, there has been an 80% decrease in the number and value of court disputes. In addition, we have achieved positive outcome in more than 80% of legal disputes, significantly decreased the number of court procedures initiated against the bank, and lowered third party risk to its lowest point, all of which positively contributes to the bank’s reputation. 

    Also, the one thing that I am personally proudest of is that I was invited to deliver a lecture to students at the law faculty from which I myself graduated. This confirmed my efforts to become respected for my professional expertise – and inspired my ambition even more than the success itself.

    CEELM: What one person would you identify as being most important in mentoring you in your career – and what in particular did you learn from that position?

    Jasmina: Fortunately, there are several of them – people from whom I have learned not only to understand what is behind the legal paragraphs and contract clauses, but also how to explain rights and obligations, how to negotiate, how to communicate clearly, how to make effective decisions and perform duties with professional integrity and ethics.  Those are the attorneys I have worked for and my superiors, who gave me important legal insights and shared their experience without hesitation, and in this context I am particularly appreciative to my first employer, Attorney at Law Georgi Dimitrov. 

    CEELM: On the lighter side, what is your favorite book or movie about lawyers or lawyering? 

    Jasmina: In the realm of law, I am actually inspired by real characters – lawyers and law professors and their own examples and literature – which means that my favorite books and movies about lawyers are not about lawyers. They are actually about justice, integrity, and the charming persuasion of facts and truth – involving Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes.

    This Article was originally published in Issue 6.11 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.