High levels of market activity despite regional tensions and rising uncertainty relating to the war in Ukraine, an ever-more inclusive financial regulatory framework, and a blossoming energy sector are the hot topics in Latvia, according to TGS Baltic Partner Inese Hazenfusa.

Sorainen has advised Estonia's Fontes Palgakonsultatsioonid on its acquisition of the remuneration system development and remuneration survey business in Latvia and Lithuania from Fontes Vadibas Konsultacijas.

Cobalt has successfully represented Martins Jansons before the European Court of Human Rights in a case regarding his arbitrary eviction during a legal dispute over apartment tenancy.

TGS Baltic has advised the shareholders of wind and solar energy project development company CVE on the sale of 100% of its shares to Ignitis Renewables. Sorainen advised Ignitis Renewables on the acquisition.

Sorainen has advised Pet Baltija on its acquisition of Tesil Fibres. Reportedly, German firm Lupp + Partner advised Tesil Fibres on the sale.

Former Associate Partners Andris Lazdins, Sarmis Spilbergs, and Martins Gailis have become Equity Partners at Ellex Latvia.

Cobalt has advised FN-Serviss on a cross-border merger of its group of companies in which the company's Estonian subsidiary was acquired by its Latvian parent company.

In March 2022, the European Commission announced that the blending proportion of biofuels, as applied by member states, may be reduced so that less agricultural land is used for the production of biofuel feedstocks. It was clear by then that Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine would put pressure on the food and feed commodities markets.

Sorainen has advised PrivatBank on transferring its client portfolio and part of its assets and liabilities to Industra Bank.

The energy crisis has a pivotal role in Latvia’s political agenda, with the government focusing on investments in onshore and offshore energy projects and legislative packages to mitigate the crisis-related outcomes, according to Ellex Managing Partner Liga Merwin.

Walless has advised sales and distribution holding JNG Investments on its acquisition of wholesaler Balt-Hellin.

Sorainen has provided pro bono legal assistance to the Papardes Zieds association on launching its new website.

Sorainen has provided pro bono legal assistance to Aswell on setting up the terms and conditions for the corporate application users.

Cobalt has advised Coffee Address Holding on its EUR 5 million unsecured bond issuance. Eversheds Sutherland Bitans advised on collateral agent matters and undertook collateral agent functions for the term of the bonds. Signet Bank was the arranger of the issuance.

The first half of 2022 has not (yet) yielded such high profile deals as seen in 2021 (like Printful becoming the first Latvian “unicorn”) but there has been a steady trickle of transactions following the larger wave of 2021.

Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services, and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, to achieve environmental policy goals relating to climate change, sustainable consumption, etc., ensuring that tenderers abide with a minimum level of compliance with environmental legislation.

Cobalt has advised plywood producer Latvijas Finieris on the investment project for the expansion of its RSEZ SIA Verems production facility in the Rezekne district.

Cobalt has successfully ensured the dismissal of bodily harm charges filed against Latvian journalist Olga Dragileva.