We have extensive experience across all areas of commercial contracts. Our lawyers combine sector and technical expertise with the ability to craft innovative contractual solutions. Our professionals are ranked among the best specialists in the field and are regularly invited to take part in legislative work groups. They frequently lecture at national and foreign law schools, and participate in prominent industry initiatives.
Commercial & Compliance
Key projects in the field
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Key contact
Dr. Jaunius Gumbis
Partner
Head of the Industry & Regulatory practice
+370 52681830
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Dovilė Greblikienė
Partner
Head of the Industry & Regulatory practice
+370 52681875
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Key projects in the field
We assisted Omaze (together with Walt Disney Studios) to launch a new promotional program into the Lithuanian market
Omaze is a world-renowned innovative platform which raises money for charities by offering opportunities to win personal experiences with the world’s biggest celebrities, e.g. George Clooney/Lady Gaga etc. Omaze works with the leading entertainment companies – Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilms and Bad Robot.
We provided the client with a comprehensive overview of regulatory obligations, legal requirements triggering such regulatory obligations under the national laws and emphasised possible risks regarding the project.
We provided the client with a comprehensive overview of regulatory obligations, legal requirements triggering such regulatory obligations under the national laws and emphasised possible risks regarding the project.
Our team advise leading tobacco manufactures on complex regulatory matters
We have been regularly advising tobacco manufacturers on intellectual property and regulatory issues and commercial matters. We have represented our clients in courts, before regulatory authorities and have advised on major legislative proposals on tobacco regulation and the implementation of Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in Lithuania in relation to plain packaging of tobacco products.
It is an innovative project which requires immense expertise combined with a thorough understanding of this particular industry sector. The legislative proposal for plain packaging of tobacco products and new TPD implementation into national laws is also recent in the whole of the EU. Our team were required to evaluate the proposed legislation in the light of the Constitution and other legislation, particularly the constitutional principle of the inviolability of property and freedom on economic activity.
It is an innovative project which requires immense expertise combined with a thorough understanding of this particular industry sector. The legislative proposal for plain packaging of tobacco products and new TPD implementation into national laws is also recent in the whole of the EU. Our team were required to evaluate the proposed legislation in the light of the Constitution and other legislation, particularly the constitutional principle of the inviolability of property and freedom on economic activity.
Our firm is an official legal partner of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation
Basketball is the most popular sport in Lithuania and the legal partnership with the Lithuanian Basketball Association provides our firm with outstanding opportunities. We advise the client on all day-to-day contentious and non-contentious legal matters, including various commercial law issues. We also assist the Lithuanian Basketball Federation with issues concerning advertising, personal rights, broadcasting rights, consumer protection, and intellectual property rights. Our experts actively engage in activities of the Ethics, Disciplinary and Appeal Commissions of the Federation.
We consulted famous basketball player Robertas Javtokas
We represented Robertas Javtokas, a famous Lithuanian basketball player and member of national basketball team. We consulted the player on recovery of debt under a sports' contract with his former club in Russia.
We successfully represented Siemens in a 14.5 million euro dispute between the joint venture partners
We have helped our client win the case concerning penalties amounting to approx. EUR 14.5 million for the allegedly unlawful termination of a joint venture agreement. Finally the Supreme Court of Lithuania quashed the judgments of the Vilnius Regional Court and the Court of Appeal of Lithuania whereby these courts ordered Siemens to pay huge penalties.
Our firm represents Axpo Nordic, one of the European leaders in the electricity trade
Axpo Nordic is one of the biggest European traders in electricity and the first foreign company active in the electricity market of Lithuania. The company is rapidly increasing the scope of its commercial activities related both to physical and financial trade in electricity in all three Baltic States.
We represent Axpo Nordic providing legal advice and assistance. Our services cover authorisations for trade in electricity in the Baltic States, preparation of the contractual arrangements for trade, including drafting of the master agreement and negotiations on separate bilateral deals, consultations on legal and regulatory matters, assistance related to cross-border flows of electricity, pricing, taxation, customs, and relations with the regulatory authorities.
We represent Axpo Nordic providing legal advice and assistance. Our services cover authorisations for trade in electricity in the Baltic States, preparation of the contractual arrangements for trade, including drafting of the master agreement and negotiations on separate bilateral deals, consultations on legal and regulatory matters, assistance related to cross-border flows of electricity, pricing, taxation, customs, and relations with the regulatory authorities.
Our expert was chosen to lead a team in an EU financed IPA project in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The project was aimed at transposition of the EU electricity legislation to the legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another aim was its effective implementation towards the opening of the electricity market in this country. The work of the team covered preparation and consideration of proposals for all level electricity legislation, unbundling of the system operators, strengthening of the regulatory authority, organisation of the sector activities, cross-border exchanges, security of supply, international cooperation, and other relevant issues in the sector.
Our firm's senior associate acted as the EU appointed team leader. The team consisted of energy law and engineering experts from Belgium, BiH, Croatia, Hungary and Macedonia. Our firm’s experts prepared drafts and proposals for all level electricity legislation and coordinated them with the respective authorities and reported to the European Union along with the Energy Community Secretariat.
The project was the first and so far the only IPA project in the European Community which was both on-time and duly implemented.
Our firm's senior associate acted as the EU appointed team leader. The team consisted of energy law and engineering experts from Belgium, BiH, Croatia, Hungary and Macedonia. Our firm’s experts prepared drafts and proposals for all level electricity legislation and coordinated them with the respective authorities and reported to the European Union along with the Energy Community Secretariat.
The project was the first and so far the only IPA project in the European Community which was both on-time and duly implemented.
Our firm advised Baltpool on various matters related to the operation of the Lithuanian power and natural gas exchange
Baltpool is a Lithuanian company licensed for the operation of power and natural gas exchange. Our team advised Baltpool on various legal matters related to Lithuanian power exchange, including licensing, other regulatory issues, contractual matters and relations with the transmission system operator. We acted as their main legal advisor for establishment of the trade platform for natural resources.
Legal assistance provided for Baltpool by our firm is unique in the Baltic region. Lithuania was the first country in the region to establish its own fully functioning power exchange, which stimulated liberalization of the electricity market and increased competition among electricity traders. Our country was also the first to launch the natural gas exchange, which should help to resolve price issues caused by the former monopoly of the natural gas supply.
Legal assistance provided for Baltpool by our firm is unique in the Baltic region. Lithuania was the first country in the region to establish its own fully functioning power exchange, which stimulated liberalization of the electricity market and increased competition among electricity traders. Our country was also the first to launch the natural gas exchange, which should help to resolve price issues caused by the former monopoly of the natural gas supply.
Our experts advised European Commission on legal aspects of energy, mobility and transport policies
Our team together with other consultants were working in a group of experts who provided European Commission with legal, economic and technical assistance in the field of energy. The services provided by this group were related to European Commission tender for “Multiple framework contract for the provision of services of legal, economical and technical assistance in the field of energy and mobility and transport policies”.
Our firm advised IKEA on matters of intellectual property and advertising
We intensively advised IKEA on issues of intellectual property and both regulatory and commercial matters related to the client’s entry into the Baltic market. Our experts advised on complex copyright issues and represented IKEA in the disputes with national institutions of intellectual property. We also consulted our client on legal matters relating to their advertising strategy.
Our team took part in a number of major industrial property projects in Lithuania
We provided legal advise on a number of important industrial projects in Lithuanian in 2012. The following are the most prominent.
Our team consulted Juodeliai, one of the largest wood processing companies in the Baltics, on the entire process of developing the most advanced sawmill in the Baltics. We were employed in project structuring, drafting all project agreements and ensuing negotiations. In addition we advised the client on bank loan matters, design, construction process and other related issues.
We also helped Skuba, official representative of Renault Trucks, to acquire a former industrial complex for development of a used-trucks service and sales centre.
Our team worked with Nordic Sugar Kėdainiai, subsidiary of Nordic Sugar the leading sugar producer in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Here we advised on the sale of the factory and land for development into a new industrial property.
Our team consulted Juodeliai, one of the largest wood processing companies in the Baltics, on the entire process of developing the most advanced sawmill in the Baltics. We were employed in project structuring, drafting all project agreements and ensuing negotiations. In addition we advised the client on bank loan matters, design, construction process and other related issues.
We also helped Skuba, official representative of Renault Trucks, to acquire a former industrial complex for development of a used-trucks service and sales centre.
Our team worked with Nordic Sugar Kėdainiai, subsidiary of Nordic Sugar the leading sugar producer in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Here we advised on the sale of the factory and land for development into a new industrial property.
Our firm advised Klaipėdos Nafta, a Government controlled corporate enterprise, on the overall matters in development of the only Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Baltics
LNG terminal is a strategic priority project included in the National Energy Strategy of Lithuania, Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan, and ENTSO-G Ten Year Network Development Plan. The LNG terminal will ensure alternative gas supply as required under EU laws; reduce Lithuanian dependence on imported gas from Russia and open access to the international gas markets. The LNG terminal is a complex project containing 3 major parts: a floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU), Port infrastructure and Pipeline.
Our team was selected as a legal counsel for comprehensive legal assistance in development of the LNG terminal project. Our assignments included wide-scaled consultations on international and EU energy regulation, drafting proposals for the related primary and secondary legislation in Lithuania, transposing best international regulatory practices, assistance in shaping the transaction itself, as well as consultations in project-related investment and commercial transaction.
Legal regulation of LNG terminal was vague, requiring deep creative insights in order to provide business-based and investments-safe advice. All regulatory schemes had to be created from zero taking into account that Lithuania had only Russia as a main gas supplier for many years. The implementation of the EU Third Energy Package proceeded and the energy sector itself was concentrated to withstand attempts by Gazprom to prevent market diversification. Assisted by our experts, LNG terminal project had to go through many Gazprom initiated disturbances both locally and on an EU level. However, all of these issues were successfully solved and the LNG terminal was launched at the end of 2014.
Our team was selected as a legal counsel for comprehensive legal assistance in development of the LNG terminal project. Our assignments included wide-scaled consultations on international and EU energy regulation, drafting proposals for the related primary and secondary legislation in Lithuania, transposing best international regulatory practices, assistance in shaping the transaction itself, as well as consultations in project-related investment and commercial transaction.
Legal regulation of LNG terminal was vague, requiring deep creative insights in order to provide business-based and investments-safe advice. All regulatory schemes had to be created from zero taking into account that Lithuania had only Russia as a main gas supplier for many years. The implementation of the EU Third Energy Package proceeded and the energy sector itself was concentrated to withstand attempts by Gazprom to prevent market diversification. Assisted by our experts, LNG terminal project had to go through many Gazprom initiated disturbances both locally and on an EU level. However, all of these issues were successfully solved and the LNG terminal was launched at the end of 2014.
We helped to launch the first LNG terminal in the Baltics
Lithuania was involved in building the first LNG terminal in the Baltics; a project which was declared by the government as being of strategic economic importance. Our team helped the client to organize the project development and financing, assisted in legislative framework for operation, regulatory matters and contractual arrangements. We also advised on many other outstanding matters, including the construction of the Seaport infrastructure, connection to the natural gas transmission system and the operating costs of the LNG terminal.
We advised the operator of the Lithuanian electricity transmission system on the implementation of the EU Third Energy Package
Implementation of the European Union Third Energy Package has been a challenging mission in the Baltic States due to market concentration and absolute domination by Gazprom in the natural gas sector. The process required segregation of the energy sector into production, transmission, distribution and service units. The aim of the reform was to enhance the efficiency of the sector and increase national autonomy within the energy field.
Our team advised on the development of strategic energy infrastructure of the Baltic region
These strategic projects involved the development of new power connections and the strengthening of the electricity transmission grid which will allow all Baltic States to join the Western European Electricity System and increase the security of energy supply. They will also ensure the potential for energy exports and imports in Europe. The infrastructure included power connection projects with Sweden and Poland and the development of a liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in Klaipeda seaport.
We assisted our clients in negotiation and conclusion of complex agreements involving sophisticated technologies. We also contributed to the implementation of the projects by successfully defending their legality and urgency in the courts. Our input to the new case law will serve for the development of all infrastructural projects in Lithuania.
We assisted our clients in negotiation and conclusion of complex agreements involving sophisticated technologies. We also contributed to the implementation of the projects by successfully defending their legality and urgency in the courts. Our input to the new case law will serve for the development of all infrastructural projects in Lithuania.
Our firm helped to introduce the EU Third Energy Package legislation into Lithuanian law and consulted on its practical implementation
Implementation of the European Union Third Energy Package has been a challenging mission in the Baltic States due to market concentration and absolute domination by Gazprom in the natural gas sector. The process required segregation of the energy sector into production, transmission, distribution and service units. The aim of the reform was to enhance the efficiency of the sector and increase national autonomy in the energy field.
We assisted a Lithuanian oil company to prepare a unique project of carbon dioxide capture and storage and apply for NER300 support
Lithuanian and Danish company Minijos Nafta and Norwegian company Sargas joined forces for MoreCCS, a unique project for carbon dioxide capture and geological storage. Both companies prepared their applications for NER300 financial support and were each to implement separate parts of the project.
Our team was charged with leading and coordinating the whole joint project while preparing the Lithuanian and Norwegian joint application for EU and European Investment Bank support. We also prepared the project documentation, agreements between the parties, representation of the parties at the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment and the Government.
Our team was charged with leading and coordinating the whole joint project while preparing the Lithuanian and Norwegian joint application for EU and European Investment Bank support. We also prepared the project documentation, agreements between the parties, representation of the parties at the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment and the Government.
Our team represented Lithuania in the international Rail Baltica project
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have formed an international joint venture company for construction of a new European standard railway line which will connect these countries with the rest of EU. The Rail Baltica line will create an integral fast speed transport corridor from Finland (via ferry) through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Western Europe. Rail Baltica was designated as an EU-level priority project by the European Council. The project involves international cooperation on Government and ministerial levels.
We presented Lithuania in the inter-governmental negotiations and has been providing extensive advice on many aspects of the project, including international joint venture agreements, planned inter-governmental treaties, EU law, new legislation and others.
We presented Lithuania in the inter-governmental negotiations and has been providing extensive advice on many aspects of the project, including international joint venture agreements, planned inter-governmental treaties, EU law, new legislation and others.
We participated in the first Lithuanian forced sale of the 2nd pillar pension funds
UAB Citadele investicijų valdymas had to liquidate its 2nd pillar pension funds before it could cease its activities in Lithuania. In order to transfer the remaining 2nd pillar pension fund clients to the active fund, managed by other company, special procedure was implemented by the regulator; Bank of Lithuania. UAB MP Pension Funds Baltic met the requirements and was offered to take over the remaining participants of one of the funds of UAB Citadele investicijų valdymas. In the course of the transaction certain shortfalls of the regulation were identified and our team helped to fix them and improve the rules regulating the forced transfer procedure.
We consulted the company in Kazakhstan on best practices of EU energy regulatory law
It was probably the first time when a Baltic law firm was chosen to provide services to a CIS country on EU energy regulatory law. We worked with the National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna, a Kazakh enterprise which owns energy companies, rail and postal services, the state uranium company, Air Astana and a number of other companies in Kazakhstan.
Our experts, in cooperation with a financial advisor, prepared a study on improving regulated industries in Kazakhstan. We have covered the legal part of the regulatory study, analysing the current regulation in Kazakhstan and providing the best European Union regulatory practices.
The project continued with the preparation of legislative proposals for all level legislation of the energy sector with the aim to introduce competition in this sector, to adjust the tariff regulation in the open market regime and to strengthen the independent regulatory authority.
Our experts, in cooperation with a financial advisor, prepared a study on improving regulated industries in Kazakhstan. We have covered the legal part of the regulatory study, analysing the current regulation in Kazakhstan and providing the best European Union regulatory practices.
The project continued with the preparation of legislative proposals for all level legislation of the energy sector with the aim to introduce competition in this sector, to adjust the tariff regulation in the open market regime and to strengthen the independent regulatory authority.
We advised the largest investors into the forestry and agricultural businesses in Lithuania
We advised and supported several companies investing in agricultural and forestry land in Lithuania. Our team worked on projects of land acquisition and lease, ecological farming, EU funding, planning and zoning and the use of natural resources. We also represented our client‘s interests in courts and with State and Municipal authorities.
We advised and represented Vilniaus energija in a complex dispute over public service obligation
Lithuanian legal acts, following EU directives, provide that the production of heat and electricity in combined heat and power plants is treated as a public service obligation. Therefore, the respective quota of electricity should be bought from such plants. Vilniaus energija, a Veolia Group company, manages one such plant and each year receives its quota. However, the authority had set a too small quota for this company.
Vilniaus energija began a complex administrative regulatory dispute related to public service obligation fulfilment with the case being led by our experts. It was the first dispute related to a wrongly set quota in Lithuania. We shaped the strategy of the dispute, interpreted complex financial formulas and principles of energy production, as well as coordinated all involved parties. The case was finished successfully and the authority has increased the quota for our client.
Vilniaus energija began a complex administrative regulatory dispute related to public service obligation fulfilment with the case being led by our experts. It was the first dispute related to a wrongly set quota in Lithuania. We shaped the strategy of the dispute, interpreted complex financial formulas and principles of energy production, as well as coordinated all involved parties. The case was finished successfully and the authority has increased the quota for our client.
We represented Veolia Group companies in multiple administrative cases related to the protection of investments
The amendments of the Lithuanian District Heating Law enacted at the end of 2011 changed the definition and regulation of the heating units and provided new requirements for their supervisors. Both Veolia Group companies, Vilniaus energija and Litesko, have invested approximately 39 million euros into the construction and renovation of heating units. The investments were previously included in the regulated heat price, but the law's amendments cancelled any means for return guarantees.
Our firm has directly led and managed 10 regulatory administrative cases which were related to the protection of the investments of Veolia Group companies. We assisted in shaping the strategy for the client against institutions and in the courts, along with leading all court cases and investigations.
Our firm has directly led and managed 10 regulatory administrative cases which were related to the protection of the investments of Veolia Group companies. We assisted in shaping the strategy for the client against institutions and in the courts, along with leading all court cases and investigations.
We advised and participated in one of the largest and most complex ever transactions in the Baltics concerning the construction of a new nuclear plant
We advised on the formation of a joint venture for the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania and worked on numerous matters related to the project. We advised on the launching and running of the tender for selection of the strategic investor into the project, also on land, environmental and planning issues, potential incentives and market risk mitigation schemes for strategic investors. We prepared energy and general regulatory reform, drafted and negotiated pre-concession and concession agreements. We structured the joint venture company, drafted and negotiated its shareholders’ agreement and advised on business modeling and structure. We also worked on many other agreements concerning the project. The draft concession agreement as well as major related bills were approved by the Parliament and signed into law by the President.