Practice Areas
Healthcare & Pharmaceutics
Peçi & Papagjoni is one of the first and leading firms to provide legal services and advice for corporate clients operating in the healthcare and pharmaceutics sectors. We have assisted our clients to complete complex and sensitive transactions, including M&A. The firm offers competent advice and solutions in issues such as licensing & accreditation, patient’s rights, medical malpractice, quality and security, environmental impact, regulation of transplants and stem cells etc. The legislative framework regulating the sector is very dynamic and the legal landscape develops rapidly. We follow these developments closely and the firm is very well positioned to provide up to date information and legal opinions on all regulatory issues.
Legislative Framework and EU Approximation
The firm has a long-standing experience in advising central governments in Albania and Kosovo on improving the legislative framework and the process of EU Approximation of Legislation. Our attorneys often act as international experts in EU funded projects on Legislative Framework and EU Approximation of Legislation. They have contributed to the drafting of guidelines and manuals on legislative techniques and the process of EU Approximation of Legislation. We pay special attention to sensitive topics, such as corruption proofing of legislation, the preparation of Tables of Compliance of national legislation with EU Acquis, legal certainty etc. Through this experience we are also well positioned to advise commercial clients on the impact of the EU Acquis on the Albanian and Kosovar legislation in all sectors of industry.
Regulatory & Compliance
Regulatory frameworks across sectors are very dynamic and transparency is becoming a very important component thereof. The costs of non-compliance with primary and secondary legislation are significant and businesses have a growing interest to adapt to the pressure of regulatory frameworks and regulatory authorities. We have an extensive knowledge of local regulatory frameworks across many sectors and have established good cooperation with regulatory bodies in Albania. The ability to provide counsel in cross-border complex transactions has become crucial. We therefore cooperate often with other firms in various jurisdictions to help our clients to deal effectively and creatively with regulatory and compliance issues. Our clients seek from us guidance to understand the impact of regulatory regimes on their transactions and day-to-day operations. We help our clients to build pioneering and proactive strategies to protect and safeguard their assets and reputation and save unnecessary costs of non-compliance.
Civil Aviation Security
The EU acquis on Civil Aviation Security has evolved since 2002 when the European Commission established common rules aimed at protecting persons and goods from unlawful interference with civil aircraft. The EU acquis has had a crucial impact in the development of the legislative framework of Albania in the field of Civil Aviation Security. We advise our clients on the common rules and standards on aviation security and procedures to monitor the implementation of the common rules and standards. In particular, we offer legal advice in areas such as screening of passengers, cabin baggage and hold baggage, airport security (access control and surveillance), screening of cargo mail, screening of airport supplies, staff recruitment and training, accidents, incidents and other types of distress.
Energy & Renewables:
The Albanian energy market model is steadily taking shape and investors are directed more and more towards renewables. The firm is closely following these developments and has built up extensive experience in advising international investors and companies. We have tackled many issues for our clients by providing thorough legal opinions on the Albanian legislation on energy and renewables. We guide or clients in regulatory aspects of transmission and distribution grids, metering systems, import and export of energy, balancing, licensing, end users and suppliers. Our attorneys are skilled in representing and advising clients in complaints proceedings before the Regulatory Agency and courts if needed.
Corporate/ M&A
Peçi & Papagjoni is positioned as one of the most serious and reliable firms in Albania in the field of Corporate and M&A. The firm has significant experience in the market and has advised its clients since 1995. Our clientele includes some of the largest international and local companies operating in Albania. Our clients profit from the knowledge that the firm has built up over the years in complex local and cross-border transactions in industries such as: healthcare and pharmaceutics, telecommunication, energy and renewables, banking, finance, aquaculture, media, gaming, sports, stevedoring and carriage of goods, transport and construction. We advise our clients on all commercial contracts, due diligence, establishment of companies, corporate governance, employment issues, licensing, leasing and acquisition of property, distribution and supply, intellectual property, privacy and data protection. The firm has a solid experience and track record in supporting clients in Mergers and Acquisitions in all stages of the process, starting from the preparation of the bids, due diligence, negotiations of the agreement to the sealing of the transaction.
Contracts & Liabilities Law
Our attorneys have successfully advised national and international corporate clients and microfinance institutions or others in multimillion loan transactions involving national and international banks. Our contract department has a solid track record and experience in the preparation and overseeing of all types of contracts, agreements, deeds, mortgages, securities, financial collaterals, pledges, legal opinions, etc. We serve both corporations and individual clients in setting up, completing and executing contracts of all kinds. Our firm has experience in ADR (alternative dispute resolutions). Our attorneys strive to resolve contractual conflicts and liabilities in, where possible, out of court settlements, saving litigation costs and time from our clients. We advise our clients to build up negotiation strategies and lead and oversee the whole process of negotiations.
Property Rights & Inheritance
The firm has contributed through its attorneys in the shaping of the property rights legislation in Albania. Hence our profound knowledge of the primary and secondary law regarding property rights, especially real estate in Albania. We support our corporate and individual clients on broad and complex legal issues in Albania such as expropriation for strategic investments or public interest, purchase of agricultural land, property titles legal assessment, property registration, property overlapping, guidance and advice of all transactions related to real estate. We have advised and represented clients on issues related to inheritance and wills. Our attorneys have extensive experience in restitution and compensation of property expropriated during communism. In this context we represent clients in all court instances including the European Court of Human Rights.
Employment
The firm offers legal advice to its clients concerning day-to day business employment-related issues. Special attention is given to the management of risks arising from employment relationships, workplace safety and health, whistleblower’s protection, investments in voluntary pension funds, unfair competition, compliance with national and international employment legislation, dispute resolution through amicable settlements, and conflict management in the workplace. This encompasses collective workplace restructurings with a focus on minimizing material adverse effects, protecting the rights of employees, etc.
Litigation, International Arbitration & European Court of Human Rights
The firm takes pride in our attorneys’ exceptional professional and ethical standards in the resolution of both judicial and extrajudicial conflicts across civil, administrative, and criminal law proceedings, steadfastly dedicated to advancing the paramount interests of our clients. We represent our clients in litigation before Albanian courts. Our attorneys have profound knowledge of the European Convention of Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. They often act as trainers of (candidate) judges and prosecutors across Europe and publish on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. This positions our attorneys among the best and most competent litigators in Albania before the European Court of Human Rights. We have recently expanded our legal service portfolio encompassing litigation before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Competition & Antitrust
Our attorneys have assisted corporate clients regarding strategic planning against unfair and illegal competition in harbor and stevedoring services sector. We have helped our clients to draft complaints submitted to the Albanian Competition Authority and have followed up the complaints before the Authority and in courts.
Criminal Law and Human Rights
The firm brings decades of experience in the field of criminal law and human rights. Our attorneys have been involved in drafting criminal legislation and anti-corruption laws at a local and international level. They have served as public prosecutors in Albania and have developed training courses and teach criminal law and human rights across a range of universities and schools of magistrates throughout Europe. Our attorneys often serve as international experts in criminal law and human rights in projects funded by the EU, CoE and other donors in various countries in Southeast Europe. We are specialized in white collar criminal proceedings, international criminal law, anti-corruption, international jurisdictional relations in criminal matters with a special focus on extradition, European Arrest Warrants, transfer of prisoners, transfer of proceedings, prevention of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in police custody, civil confiscation of proceeds of crime, pre-trial detention, fair trial and right to privacy. Our attorneys have seasoned judgments to bear representation before Albanian courts and the European Court of Human Rights.
International Cooperation
The firm frequently assists directly international law firms with legal opinions concerning Albanian law. We have established cooperation with law firms in Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, UK and Kosovo, and often act jointly to provide integrated services to our clients with cross-border operations and transactions.
Tax
The firm offers a range of services on tax issues such as tax compliance, tax disputes, VAT, excise disputes. We provide proactive and innovative advice on tax issues during the process of M&A. The firm has successfully represented clients in tax disputes before tax authorities and courts in complex cases for sectors such as pharmaceutics, health care, technology and software, aquaculture, tourism, textile and clothing, wholesale import-export.