Cheap Company Formation on an Assembly Line?

In recent years, so-called “consultancy firms” operating without legal qualifications have become increasingly common, promising inexpensive and hassle-free company formation services in Germany. Their services typically consist of providing registered office facilities and/or interpreting services to their clients. Although this may sound like self-promotion, we would caution anyone considering such services. Establishing a company is […]
Kartellrecht, insbesondere E-Commerce

One of the particularly interesting decisions of 2017 was undoubtedly the order of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (OLG Düsseldorf) of 5 April 2017 in the so-called “Asics” case. According to the court, in selective distribution systems a general prohibition imposed on dealers against using price comparison systems infringes antitrust law and is therefore […]
Franchiserecht und AGB

Franchisors generally use uniform franchise agreements for the purposes of maintaining a consistent distribution system and ensuring equal treatment of franchisees. These agreements therefore constitute standard terms and conditions within the meaning of section 305(1) sentence 1 of the German Civil Code (BGB). To the extent that they are not individually negotiated by the parties, […]
Beurkundung nach ungarischem Recht von Deutschland aus

Unlike in most German federal states, lawyers in Hungary generally perform extensive functions comparable to those of notaries. In the course of doing business in Hungary, you will therefore sooner or later require either a document countersigned by a Hungarian lawyer (ügyvédi ellenjegyzés) or a notarised public instrument (közokirat). The good news is that you […]
Grundbesitzer in Ungarn, die Parteien von „Taschenverträgen“ sind, fürchten bis zu fünf Jahre Haft und Enteignung. Gibt es eine Lösung?

Until the end of April 2014, EU nationals were, as a rule, also prohibited from acquiring arable land in Hungary, owing to a temporary derogation under EU law. For this reason, foreign purchasers — most often from Austria — frequently entered into so-called “pocket contracts” with Hungarian sellers. In most cases, the parties signed an […]
Persönliche Haftung der Geschäftsführer bei der Insolvenz einer deutschen „GmbH“, gilt auch bei der deutschen „AG“

In the insolvency of a German customer, a supplier and creditor is always faced with the problem that, in the customer’s insolvency proceedings, the supplier will often have to accept a reduction of its claim that varies from case to case and will usually have to be satisfied with an insolvency quota. The supplier’s shortfall […]
Personal Liability of a German GmbH Managing Director in the Event of Insolvency (also applicable to an AG)

A situation frequently encountered by Hungarian suppliers (who later become creditors in insolvency proceedings) is that, after they have performed their contractual obligations, their German business partner files for insolvency. The creditor is then often left with no option but to accept the distribution quota determined by the German insolvency administrator. As a result, substantial […]
Besonderheiten im Zivilprozess in Handelssachen bei Beteiligung einer ausländischen Partei, 10/2017

The seminar presentation by NZP lawyer Nagy, held as part of the continuing legal education programme of the Munich Bar Association, is aimed at certified specialists in international business law as well as in commercial and corporate law, and at in-house counsel. It addresses the practically relevant specific features of private international law and international […]
Verbilligter Erwerb von Aktien vom Arbeitgeber als Arbeitslohn

If an employee is granted the discounted acquisition of shares from the employer or from a third party in return for their work, this constitutes income from employment under Section 19(1) sentence 1 no. 1 in conjunction with Section 8(1) of the German Income Tax Act (EStG), to the extent that the employer sells the […]
Der Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende in Zeiten moderner Corporate Governance

As the number of legal obligations continues to grow and lawmakers and courts further tighten management liability, the work of supervisory boards is increasingly coming into focus. A substantially higher requirements profile and significantly increased liability risks particularly affect chairs of supervisory boards and supervisory board members with special areas of responsibility. I. Introduction German […]