News
04.10.2021Frankfurt am Main News
Further growth in Frankfurt: lawyer and notary Hans-Joachim Otto joins Oppenhoff
Oppenhoff is strengthening its ranks with lawyer and notary Dr. h.c. Hans-Joachim Otto. Otto’s focus is the provision of legal advice on real estate and estate agency law in particular, as well as the notarisation of real estate transactions. Hans-Joachim Otto has joined Oppenhoff’s Frankfurt office on 1 October 2021.
Compliance01.10.2021 News
Group-wide whistleblowing system: not enough for the EU Commission
The disappointment is great: many global corporations have already established a central whistleblowing system and regarded this as sufficient with regard to the implementation of the EU Whistleblower Directive. This is not enough for the EU Commission. For companies, this means considerable additional effort in reorganising their whistleblowing systems.
Automotive and MobilityAntitrust Law and Merger Control01.10.2021 Newsletter
German Federal Court of Justice: Porsche may not prohibit authorised dealers from selling to tuning companies
According to a recently published ruling by the Federal Court of Justice [Bundesgerichtshof - BGH], car manufacturers may not prohibit their authorised dealers from selling new vehicles, spare parts and accessories to independent tuning companies. The BGH classifies such a restriction of customer groups as an impermissible restraint of competition.
Employment Law29.09.2021 Newsletter
Focus on Labor Law - 3th Quarter 2021
An exciting federal election lies behind us. Exploratory talks are now starting on the formation of a future governing coalition, which is expected to consist of at least three parties at federal level for the very first time. It is still uncertain which labour law programme the new government will introduce. We will keep you informed about the legislator’s activities as usual in our Labour Law Focus. Today, we can already inform you of the existing decisions of the labour courts of significance to daily HR practice.
Foreign Trade09.09.2021 Newsletter
Dual-Use Regulation: what companies need to know and how they can benefit
The Dual-Use Regulation comes into force today, 9 September 2021. Almost three months after its publication, there is still some uncertainty as to how exactly the regulations are now going to be applied. What do I, as an entrepreneur, have to consider and how can I possibly profit from the new regulations. Our expert Stefan Müller provides answers.
Automotive and Mobility07.09.2021 Newsletter
What's the latest on? The diesel scandal - An overview of the most recent decisions
In a summer that was dominated by bad news, the diesel scandal increasingly took a back seat in the news coverage. However, the matter did progress and “Dieselgate” decisions were pronounced. In July 2021, the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof - BGH) pronounced a series of decisions that further advance the legal processing of the matter - at least as far as the affected buyers are concerned.
Automotive and MobilityCorporate Law / Mergers & Acquisitions / Banking and Capital Markets Law, Financing / Tax Law30.08.2021 News
Oppenhoff advises PE investor ND Group on Series C financing round of the German BEV manufacturer Next.e.GO Mobile SE of EUR 49 million
Oppenhoff has advised nd industrial investments B.V. on the Series C financing round of Next.e.GO Mobile SE. As the majority shareholder of Next.e.GO Mobile SE, nd industrial investments B.V. led the Series C financing round. The new capital of EUR 49 million will be invested in the production of the e.GO Life platform, the development of additional models and also the unlocking the unique feature of e.GO Life, the battery swap. Both existing and new investors participated in the financing round.
23.08.2021 News
Oppenhoff forces Amazon to unblock a seller’s account on grounds of an abuse of a market-dominating position
Oppenhoff has obtained an interim injunction on behalf of its client mi.to pharm against the Luxembourg-based Amazon Services Europe S.à r.l. before the Regional Court of Hanover on grounds of an abuse of a market-dominating position.
Employment Law20.08.2021 Newsletter
Corona Protection Ordinance NRW: End of compulsory wearing of masks at the workplace?
As of today, wearing a mask at the workplace indoors can be waived in NRW - under certain conditions. The new federal-state resolutions of 10 August 2021 do not contain any concrete regulations in this regard. NRW was the first federal state to relax the obligation to wear a mask. It remains to be seen whether other federal states will follow suit.
20.08.2021 News
Oppenhoff nominated as Law Firm of the Year - further nominations at the JUVE Awards for Compliance and Media & Technology
Oppenhoff has been nominated for the "Law Firm of the Year" Award by the renowned industry publisher JU-VE. It has also been nominated in the categories Compliance and Media & Technology.
Employment Law / Banking and Capital Markets Law, Financing / European State Aid Law / Compliance / Corporate Law / Real Estate Law / Insolvency and Restructuring / IT Law and Data Protection / Antitrust Law and Merger Control / Mergers & Acquisitions / Tax Law / Public Procurement Law18.08.2021 Newsletter
Corona Task Force
The Corona crisis raises numerous legal questions. Our experts can answer them - and everyone is available to you. Below you will find important information, dates and consulting topics.
Employment Law13.08.2021 Newsletter
More legal certainty through a reform of status determination proceedings?
Status determination proceedings aim to provide legal certainty as to whether someone is self-employed or employed. This is primarily of relevance for the social security obligation. The wish for a reform of status determination proceedings according to § 7a German Social Code Book IV [Sozialgesetzbuch IV - SGB IV] has existed for some time. There was a need for more legal certainty and transparency, and a less lengthy procedure. The Bundestag had - largely unnoticed by the public - passed a corresponding bill on 20 May 2021. The changes are due to come into force on 1 April 2022. Jennifer Bold and Jörn Kuhn explain what changes we can expect and why parts of the reform have to be viewed critically.
Employment Law12.08.2021 Newsletter
Vaccination bonus, vaccination register: is everything now unrestrictedly permissible for companies?
The Minister Presidents’ Conference [Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz] met on 10 August 2021. From 11 October 2021 onwards, free corona tests will no longer be offered to citizens. Companies have been urged to support vaccination. Our partner Jörn Kuhn explains what to look out for when vaccinating in the workplace environment and briefly highlights the key employment law points of yesterday's resolution.
InsuranceCorporate Law / Mergers & Acquisitions / IT Law and Data Protection / Employment Law / Real Estate Law / Banking and Capital Markets Law, Financing / Intellectual Property Law / Antitrust Law and Merger Control10.08.2021Cologne News
Oppenhoff advises VHV on the acquisition of InterEurope AG
Oppenhoff has advised VHV Holding AG on the acquisition of InterEurope AG from the private equity fund Elvaston Capital. InterEurope AG continues to exist as an independent enterprise within the VHV Group at the company’s headquarters in Düsseldorf. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
Employment Law05.08.2021 Newsletter
Returning from holiday in times of the pandemic - what employers need to know
The holiday season is in full swing and in the first federal states the summer school holidays are already drawing to a close. Many have ventured abroad for the first time in a year and a half - getting out and about at last!" However, in view of rising infection rates, quarantine could become necessary - perhaps taking holidaymakers by surprise. We provide an overview of things to be considered when employees return from holiday.
Automotive and Mobility05.08.2021 Newsletter
Data protection in the automotive industry
Increasing networking and automation in road traffic, large volumes of vehicle data: in this highly dynamic environment, new "data-driven" areas of business for innovative mobility services are currently emerging. Via interfaces, modern vehicles allow communication with other devices in the "Internet of Things" and often enable data collected in the car to be accessed by more than just the car manufacturers.
Dispute Resolution – Litigation – Arbitration Proceedings16.07.2021 Publication
LexGTDT Market Intelligence – Dispute Resolution 2021
Dr. Vanessa Pickenpack and Dr. Anna-Gesine Zimmermann have been interviewed on current topics of dispute resolution for this year’s issue of Lexology GTDT: Market Intelligence.
Compliance15.07.2021 Newsletter
Reimbursement of lawyers’ fees in case of compliance breaches
The German Federal Labour Court [Bundesarbeitsgericht - BAG] has recently commented on the prerequisites and limits of the reimbursement obligation in case of compliance measures.
12.07.2021 News
Oppenhoff appoints Lisa Schmitt as junior partner
Oppenhoff has elected Lisa Schmitt to junior partner with effect from 1 July 2021.
12.07.2021 Newsletter
Data transfers to third countries - new “travel rules”
Travel has long since ceased to be the sole preserve of people, goods and commodities. Data are also being sent off on their “travels” from A to B. The pandemic has caused passenger travel to be subject to numerous new regulations. New EU standard contractual clauses are also bringing reforms for the "travel" of data to third countries. We are introducing you to the most important new features and simultaneously providing you with the appropriate tool to easily compile the appropriate clauses.
Compliance09.07.2021 Newsletter
Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and compliance management systems
On 25 June 2021, the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act [Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz – LkSG], better known by the less unwieldy term "Supply Chain Act", was also approved by the Bundesrat. Thus, as of 1 January 2023, initially companies with their registered office or a branch office in Germany and over 3,000 domestic employees will be obliged to observe human rights and environmental due diligence obligations in their supply chains in an appropriate manner. From 1 January 2024 onwards, the obligation also extends to companies with over 1,000 employees.
07.07.2021 Newsletter
Update on the Transparency Register
The Transparency Register is becoming a full register. This results in new notification obligations for many companies - registration in another public register is now no longer sufficient to also fulfil the notification obligations to the Transparency Register. At the same time, many other privileges are being abolished, for example for listed stock corporations or for share deals. Affected companies should review their notification obligations in the near future. If there is no beneficial owner, the legal representatives have to be entered (fictitious beneficial owners).
Automotive and Mobility06.07.2021 Newsletter
Autonomous driving
Driverless vehicles on the road - in regulatory terms, the German legislators are clearing the way. The pending Act is an interim solution that is not convincing on all points. The goal is to achieve an international legal framework. Our expert Dr. Angela Busche ex-plains the new regulations and points out the omissions.
Retail and Consumer Goods06.07.2021 Newsletter
New BGB contract law - focus on goods with digital elements and digital services
Far-reaching changes to the German Civil Code will come into force on 1 January. Companies in the retail and consumer goods sectors in particular will be affected by this. Just under six months are left before their implementation. Additionally, all (in-house) lawyers should familiarise them-selves with the new definition of defects in sales law. Patrick Vapore and Jörn Kuhn have sum-marised the main changes.
Succession, Wealth and Foundations02.07.2021 Newsletter
Fundamental reform of the law on foundations adopted
The reform of foundations law is on its way: at last, there is going to be a uniform German law on foundations and several legal uncertainties that have existed to date will be eliminated. However, a central Foundations Register is also going to be introduced, which will bring this hitherto very non-transparent legal form much more into the public eye - this has both advantages and disadvantages. Founders and the executive bodies of foundations should use the time available until the law takes effect to check whether they need to act. Our experts have summarised the most important changes for you in our newsletter.