Joy, peace, optimism
To our readers and authors, our wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will return in 2024.
![Joy, peace, optimism](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/45_new_auto_800x800.png)
Contractual advantage: Overview of the Polish competition authority’s actions on the agri-food market
Since 2017, Poland’s competition authority has initiated dozens of proceedings for practices unfairly exploiting contractual advantage. As a result, nearly 20 decisions have already been issued, and many notices have been issued to companies. The fines alone have amounted to some PLN 1.1 billion (although appeals against some decisions are pending). To date, the largest fine for unfair exploitation of contractual advantage is over PLN 723 million (assessed against Jerónimo Martins Polska SA in 2020). What practices is the regulator seeking to identify and punish?
![Contractual advantage: Overview of the Polish competition authority’s actions on the agri-food market](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/13_new_auto_800x800.png)
Wardyński & Partners helps organise competition for the Prof. Irena Wiszniewska-Białecka Prize
Submissions are open for the first edition of the Jerzy Wiszniewski Foundation’s competition for an outstanding scholarly work on trademark, competition or antitrust law.
![Wardyński & Partners helps organise competition for the Prof. Irena Wiszniewska-Białecka Prize](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/366_new_auto_800x800.png)
5th Future-Ready Lawyer report
Wolters Kluwer has published its fifth report on the changes, opportunities and challenges lawyers face around the world. This year’s survey included 700 lawyers working in law firms, legal departments and consulting companies in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. What are its implications?
![5th Future-Ready Lawyer report](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/291_new_auto_800x800.png)
What fee model to use in construction contracts?
The choice of a fee model is a key element of any contract for construction works. In market practice, several mechanisms are in place for determining the payment method, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. The chosen fee model should correspond to the specifics and scope of work and take into account the interests of both parties to the contract.
![What fee model to use in construction contracts?](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/277_new_auto_800x800.png)
Protecting the environment through criminal law: It is time for new provisions
According to estimates by Interpol and the United Nations Environment Programme, environmental crime is the fourth-largest area of criminality in the world. Offences against the environment are also a major source of income for organised crime. Countering these phenomena requires developing a common approach at the European level.
![Protecting the environment through criminal law: It is time for new provisions](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/326_new_auto_800x800.png)
News from Poland—Business & Law, Episode 43: E-Delivery: A revolution in businesses’ communication
In the newest episode of "News from Poland. Business and Law" Zuzanna Śladowska in a conversation with Konrad Grotowski, explains the revolution that is coming in how Polish firms will communicate with state, local administration and the courts.
![News from Poland—Business & Law, Episode 43: E-Delivery: A revolution in businesses’ communication](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/07/800x800_dlon_auto_800x800.png)
Mergers of companies: How to simplify the process by arranging the capital structure
Usually, a merger of companies in Poland requires a number of legal steps and preparation of extensive documentation. This can make mergers complicated and costly, in particular if companies with different shareholding structures are involved. But in some cases the regulations allow the parties to simplify the procedure by excluding certain obligations—if certain conditions are met regarding the capital structure of the companies.
![Mergers of companies: How to simplify the process by arranging the capital structure](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/295_new_auto_800x800.png)
Settlement of tax losses after a merger by takeover
Under current regulations in Poland, in post-merger accounting, tax losses of the acquired company cannot be recognised. However, it is possible to settle tax losses of the acquiring company, although this is not always the rule. In determining whether the acquiring company is entitled to settle tax losses, it is necessary to assess whether the company’s actual principal business after the takeover is wholly or partially different from that before the takeover. What, in essence, is covered by the notion of “actual principal business”? When should the principal business be considered to have changed “in part”?
![Settlement of tax losses after a merger by takeover](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/2621_new_auto_800x800.png)
Share exchange ratio in reverse mergers of companies
An element of any proposed merger of companies in Poland is determination of the ratio for exchange of shares of the companies participating in the merger and the amount of additional payments, if any, unless there is no exchange of shares. But sometimes the parties do not have to set a share exchange ratio in the merger process.
![Share exchange ratio in reverse mergers of companies](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/380_new_auto_800x800.png)
Administrative permits and corporate transformations: How to ensure business continuity?
For companies participating in a reorganisation to continue pursuing their owners’ objectives, permits, licences or other administrative decisions necessary for operation must be secured. Proper preparation for this process requires not only knowledge of the regulations under which the administrative decisions are issued, but also the agencies’ procedural practice.
![Administrative permits and corporate transformations: How to ensure business continuity?](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/379_new_auto_800x800.png)
Debt-to-equity conversions in practice
Converting a company’s liability into capital can be a way to “heal” its balance sheet. This can increase the company’s credibility with counterparties and reduce the risk of insolvency. Conversion can also generate tax benefits, for example by reducing interest expense to below the deductible limit.
![Debt-to-equity conversions in practice](/upload/thumb/wordpress/2017/03/369_new_auto_800x800.png)