The 4.3-kilometre stretch of the D4 highway was open on September 26. (source: TASR)
Litigation & Arbitration: 10 largest law firms
Advokátska kancelária RELEVANS
Allen & Overy
SOUKENÍK – ŠTRPKA
BBH
Dentons Europe CS LLP
RUŽIČKA AND PARTNERS
TaylorWessing e/n/w/c
IKRÉNYI & REHÁK
Malata, Pružinský, Hegedüš & Partners
Škubla & Partneri
Ranking created based on the following criteria (values for 2021): number of active deals with regard to their value (85% weight), salesrevenues (5% weight), number of attorneys (5% weight), number of associates practicing > 3 years (3% weight), number of associatespracticing < 3 years (2% weight).
Their lawyers dealt with major state contracts to build roads, lawsuits involving banks and the unfinished purchase of the National Football Stadium. Each of the 10 firms listed in this category in the current Largest Law Firms ranking, compiled by The Slovak Spectator and the Sme daily, was allowed to reference two deals that were interesting based on their value or content.
The delayed bypass
One of the largest arbitrations, which closed in late 2021 after two years, concerned construction of the D4 highway in Bratislava and the R7 express dual-carriageway, also known as the so-called zero bypass of the capital.
The dispute started after the state failed to issue building permits due to the property settlement of lands under the road. The delay lasted nine months, which led to the postponement of the launch of the bypass’s construction.
The concessionaire, the Zero Bypass Limited consortium, thus initiated an arbitration against the state, seeking €125-130 million. The ICC International Court of Arbitration, based in Vienna, decided in December 2021 that Slovakia should pay €38.5 million to the company.
The state, specifically the Transport Ministry, was represented by the Soukeník – Štrpka law firm as part of an international arbitration team. This included experts from Eversheds Sutherland as well.
