The European Commission’s report on the e-commerce sector released in May (the Report) outlines the main trends and potential competition barriers in the online retail. Overall, the Commission did not deem necessary a review of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER). This means that despite the ongoing innovations in the e-commerce business models, at this […]

Hristov & Partners acted for G4S plc., the leading global integrated security group, as the vendor’s Bulgarian counsel, along with the global lead legal counsel, in the divestment of its Bulgarian subsidiary company to VIP Security. The transaction followed a strategic global-wide business review by G4S plc. including restructuring and exists from various non-core jurisdictions across the globe. Our […]

The national competition authority (CPC) has just published its annual activity report for the preceding 2016 year. In Bulgaria, CPC has controlling and enforcement powers in three major areas: antitrust and competition, public procurement procedures appeals and appeals relating to concession procedures. Here is some of the published statistical data in the area of competition […]

Data protection officers (“DPO”) will become key figures within organisations striving to ensure compliance with the stricter requirements of the GDPR as from May 2018. In the end of 2016, a conservative estimate by the International Association of Privacy Professionals suggested that 75,000 DPO positions will be created globally in response to the adoption of […]

Before the GDPR enters into force on 25 May 2018, companies processing personal data will have to reassess their approach to personal data processing. Under the current state of the law, a company acting as a personal data processor that has been found liable for unlawful personal data processing would be liable for a breach […]

On its entry into force, the GDPR would make reliance on data subjects’ consents inappropriate for many personal data processing activities. A practical tip to self-test current consents: if it seems difficult for a controller to obtain a valid consent, perhaps there is another legal ground that should apply. When implementing a GDPR compliance strategy, […]

One of the most common grounds for lawful processing of personal data is obtaining the data subject’s consent. As from 25 May 2018 when the GDPR shall enter into force, the requirements for obtaining lawfully such consent will be significantly amended. Despite being more burdensome for companies, the new requirements may serve as a competitive […]

One of the EU’s key objectives in adopting the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) is to contribute to the well-being of individuals by reinforcing their rights with respect to their own personal data. As from 25 May 2018, persons and companies acting as data controllers should comply with the reinforced data subjects’ rights under the […]

The newly revised EU legal framework in the field of personal data protection has already made the processing of personal data an increasingly important topic for businesses operating in the territories of EU member states. As from 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) will become directly applicable in all EU states. With […]

Hristov & Partners teamed up with the global law firm Dentons to advise Group Spadel, a European family-owned company specializing in the production of natural mineral water, spring water and natural fruit drinks, on the acquisition of a 93.29 percent stake in Devin AD, the market-leading producer of bottled water in Bulgaria, from private equity […]