News
Employment Law20.12.2021 News
Coalition agreement & labour law: working hours
The new coalition agreement of the forthcoming government of SPD, Bündnis90/DieGrünen and FDP has been officially approved by the signatures of the “traffic light” parties. In a series of articles over the next few days, we are informing you of the statements contained in the coalition agreement on labour law and the concrete effects of the plans. Today’s topic: innovations with respect to working hours.
17.12.2021 Newsletter
Coalition agreement & labour law: time for the family
On 24 November 2021, the new coalition agreement of the forthcoming government of SPD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen and FDP was published. In the form of a short series of articles, we would like to inform you of the statements contained in the coalition agreement on labour law and the concrete effects of the plans. Today’s topic: time for the family.
Employment Law16.12.2021 Newsletter
Coalition agreement & labour law: company co-determination
On 24 November 2021, the new coalition agreement of the forthcoming government of SPD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen and FDP was published. In the form of a short series of articles, we would like to inform you of the statements contained in the coalition agreement on labour law and the concrete effects of the plans. Today’s topic: the further development of company co-determination.
16.12.2021Hamburg / Cologne / Frankfurt am Main News
Oppenhoff appoints new partners
Oppenhoff appoints new partners from within its own ranks with effect as of 1 January 2022.
13.12.2021 Newsletter
Focus on Labor Law – 4th Quarter 2021
This new Labour Law Focus contains an overview of the most important statements on labour law in the coalition agreement, as well as the amendments to the German Company Pensions Act [Betriebsrentengesetz - BetrAVG] and the German Social Code Book IV [Sozialgesetzbuch IV - SGB IV] that are definitely entering into force on 1 January 2022 and 1 April 2022, as well as our usual overview of the most important decisions of the labour courts.
Employment Law10.12.2021 Newsletter
Coalition agreement & labour law: company integration management
On 24 November 2021, the new coalition agreement of the forthcoming government of SPD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen and FDP was published. In the form of a short series of posts over the next few days, we are presenting you with the statements contained in the coalition agreement on labour law and the concrete effects of the plans. Today’s topic: company integration management [Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement - BEM]
Retail and Consumer GoodsCorporate Law / Mergers & Acquisitions / Intellectual Property Law / Employment Law / IT Law and Data Protection10.12.2021 News
Oppenhoff advises SellerX on the acquisition of KW-Commerce
Oppenhoff advised SellerX, Europe’s top aggregator of e-commerce businesses, in the takeover of KW-Commerce GmbH, one of the largest private label sellers on amazon worldwide. Following the completion of the transaction the two founders of KW-Commerce will join the SellerX senior leadership team.
10.12.2021 Newsletter
The new lobby register for more transparency - who does it affect and what needs to be done?
The lobby register is coming! The German Bundestag is introducing it on 1 January 2022, after which all lobbyists vis-à-vis the Bundestag and the Federal Government will have to register without delay. What exactly is a lobby and who does it affect? Could my company also be affected?
Employment Law09.12.2021 Newsletter
Home office: claim against the statutory accident insurance
The statutory accident insurance covers the “journey” to work in the home office. This was already the case before the new version of § 8 German Social Code Book VII [Sozialgesetzbuch VII - SGB VII], according to the Federal Social Court [Bundessozialgericht - BSG] yesterday (ruling of 8 December 2021 - docket No. B 2 U 4/21 R).
Employment Law08.12.2021 Newsletter
Coalition agreement & labour law: fixed-term employment relationships:
On 24 November 2021, the new coalition agreement of the forthcoming government of SPD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen and FDP was published. In the form of a short series, we would like to inform you of the statements contained in the coalition agreement on labour law issues and the concrete effects of the plans. Today’s topic: fixed-term employment relationships.
07.12.2021 Newsletter
Coalition Agreement: soon codetermined? The “traffic light” coalition paves the way for an extension of corporate codetermination
On 7 December 2021, the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and the FDP signed the Coalition Agreement entitled “Dare more progress – an alliance for freedom, justice and sustainability”. The 178-page programme of the future government envisages numerous amendments to cor-porate and commercial law, amongst other things a significant extension of the statutory obli-gation of enterprises to establish a supervisory board that comprises employee representatives (corporate codetermination).
Private Equity01.12.2021 Newsletter
Coalition agreement: How are start-ups and venture capital financing to be promoted?
Almost two months were spent exploring options and negotiating. On 24 November 2021, the party leaders of the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP presented their coalition agreement entitled "Dare more progress". It is going to usher in a "decade of innovations". A modern funding policy is to make Germany Europe's No. 1 start-up nation. What can we expect from the new Federal Government's "comprehensive start-up strategy"?
30.11.2021 Newsletter
Coalition negotiations: what are the plans of the new coalition?
The motto of the new coalition agreement is "Dare to make more progress - an alliance for freedom, justice and sustainability". After about five weeks, the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and the FDP agreed on a joint coalition agreement on 24 November 2021. This paves the way for a change of government. Below, we are briefly summaris-ing important plans that are certain to have an impact on the German economy.
Retail and Consumer Goods30.11.2021 Newsletter
Not good prospects for (online) traders: tightening of competition and consumer protection law
The EU is committed to consumer protection. A fundamental change is also on the horizon in the German (online) retail sector. This is not great news for companies. In order to implement the so-called "Omnibus Directive" (EU/2019/2161), the Bundestag passed two laws to strengthen consumer protection on 10 August 2021 (German Federal Gazette [Bundesgesetzblatt - BGBl.] Part 1 No. 53).
30.11.2021 Publication
BGH hears case on Corona closures: Must renters pay full rent?
In the first lockdown, the authorities ordered the closure of some shops. For the first time, the BGH is dealing with the question of whether tenants nevertheless have to pay the full rent. Marc Alexander Häger and Marvin Rochner venture a prognosis.
Aerospace and Defence29.11.2021 Newsletter
German Federal Election 2021: What plans does the new coalition have on armaments and defence?
The SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP have been negotiating for about five weeks. On 24 November 2021, the ‘traffic light’ coalition jointly published its coalition agreement. Innovations are also envisaged in the armaments and defence sector. So what can we expect from the new government? We have summarised the most important points for you.
Corporate Law / Banking and Capital Markets Law, Financing26.11.2021 News
Oppenhoff advises MRH Trowe on debt financing from Bain Capital Credit
Oppenhoff advised MRH Trowe group, a leading industrial insurance broker in Germany, on its first international third party debt financing.
Energy and InfrastructureMergers & Acquisitions / Private Equity25.11.2021 News
Oppenhoff advises Transition Evergreen on the acquisition of C4 Energie Group
Oppenhoff has advised the French investor Transition Evergreen on the acquisition of C4 Energie Group, consisting of C4 Energie AG and 16 affiliated companies, from its founders.
23.11.2021 Newsletter
Competition Register: BMWi heralds final phase
The time has finally come: data can be transmitted electronically to the Competition Register. On 29 October 2021, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology [Bun-deswirtschaftsministerium – BMWi] gave its go-ahead in the German Federal Gazette [Bun-desanzeiger].
IT Law and Data Protection22.11.2021 Newsletter
Online Platforms: Does my website comply with the legal requirements?
Online platforms are subject to a number of regulatory requirements. New regulations not only come from Brussels, but also from Berlin. Besides general regulations for online platforms, there are numerous special regulations, e.g. for streaming platforms, social media. Read here which regulations are important for your website.
Automotive and Mobility, Retail and Consumer GoodsCompliance22.11.2021 Newsletter
Antitrust law as a spoiler for sustainability initiatives?
There is no alternative to sustainable management: The EU wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 with its "Green Deal". Sustainability initiatives are effective if they find the broadest possible acceptance in the respective industry. To achieve this, companies must work together and agree on uniform standards. This raises questions under antitrust law: How closely may competitors cooperate? When are the "red lines" crossed? Is it even permissible to forge a cartel for the good of the environment?
Employment Law18.11.2021 Newsletter
What the upcoming amendment of the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG) mean for employers
During the course of the COVID 19 pandemic, the legislator has enacted countless provisions providing a legal basis for measures to combat the pandemic. Several of these provisions are linked to an "epidemic situation of national importance". However, this ends with the expiry of 25 November 2021. Therefore, the Bundestag passed the new Infection Protection Act of the so-called “traffic light” parties, the approval of which will be discussed by the Bundesrat today, on 19 November 2021. Once it enters into force, the new regulations of the Infection Protection Act are to initially apply until 19 March 2022.
17.11.2021 News
Frequently recommended by in-house lawyers: Oppenhoff climbs to 4th place in Kanzleimonitor’s overall ranking
Oppenhoff has achieved 4th place in the overall ranking of the law firm monitor Kanzleimonitor 2021/2022. Oppenhoff has thus climbed three places since last year.
Retail and Consumer Goods16.11.2021 News
Supply bottlenecks: rights and claims of retailers and online traders
Global supply chains are groaning. Corona crisis, semiconductor bottleneck, container shortage, congestion at ports - all this has created supply shortages and is currently having a severe impact on trade. Disputes between producers, traders, transporters and end consumers are not uncommon. Our experts are taking a look at the current legal issues affecting trade.
Retail and Consumer Goods16.11.2021 Newsletter
Omnibus Directive: further notification obligations and easier termination options strengthen consumer protection
Shortly before the end of the last legislative period, the German legislator passed several consumer protection laws. Stationary traders, online traders and operators of online marketplaces must implement several changes. Simon Sawert explains where action is needed.