News-Archive

With Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons notifying violations of Union law (Whistleblower Directive), the member states have agreed on a uniform protection of whistleblowers insofar as they expose violations of EU law. The Directive is to be implemented into national law by the end of this year.

Read more

In many companies in Germany, company doctors are all set to vaccinate employees against Covid-19. The official go-ahead for this is imminent and employers now have cause to hope for the "return" of their workers from home office and a normalisation of company procedures. At the same time, however, this gives rise to very important questions of labour law and data protection law, which we would like to answer for you below:

Read more

According to a recent ruling of the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) (judgement of 10 February 2021, file no. KZR 63/18), general terms and conditions that award the customer of a cartel participant lump-sum damages in the amount of 5 to 15 % are valid under certain conditions. This landmark ruling is not only relevant for ongoing cartel damages litigation. It also provides a blueprint for the permissible drafting of lump-sum cartel damages clauses in supply contracts and could thus make it much easier for cartel-affected companies to quantify damages in future civil proceedings.

Read more

Oppenhoff has advised TIMETOACT Software & Consulting GmbH and the two shareholders Felix Binsack and Hermann Ballé on the acquisition of a majority stake by the private equity investor Equistone Partners. TIMETOACT shareholders Felix Binsack and Hermann Ballé will remain operationally active as managing directors and hold a significant stake in the company.

Read more

The European Commission has imposed fines of €48 million on Deutsche Bahn (DB), Austrian Railways (ÖBB) and the National Company of Belgian Railways (SNCB) for cartel agreements in freight transport involving "blocktrains." All three companies have admitted their involvement in the cartel. Customers of the rail companies should check at an early stage whether they are entitled to damage claims for excessive freight costs against the three companies.

Read more

Are companies obliged to have their employees tested? Is the works council to be involved in the case of compulsory testing? Can companies oblige their employees to be vaccinated? Our labour law experts will answer these and other questions.

Read more

Oppenhoff has advised Trulo GmbH and its shareholders on the entry of Flavour Warehouse as an investor. Following the death of a Trulo shareholder, his heirs have now transferred their shares to Flavour Warehouse.

Read more

On 27 April 2020, the German Government approved the 17th Amendment of the German Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV). This entails a stricter regime of investment screening in Germany. The new rules entered into force on 1st May 2021. In order to ensure the smooth execution of already planned investments, it is essential for investors to prepare for the new procedures. We have summarised the most important points for you.

Read more

Oppenhoff has advised the global cosmetics chain SEPHORA on the leasing of office and retail space for its new German headquarters and a flagship store in the Schadow Arkaden in Düsseldorf.

Read more

Oppenhoff has advised AUCTUS on its investment in STRANET AG and Smaser AG via funds managed by AUCTUS.

Read more