Category: News

Global competition, the looming threat of conflict, rapid technological advancements, challenges associated with foreign investments, and the growing demand for a sustainable and innovative economic landscape all underscore the pressing need to look ahead and identify solutions that will secure long-term economic growth.

The conference featured insightful presentations from Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Piret Mürk-Dubout, a member of the management board of AS Tallink Grupp, Peeter Koppel, Investment Director at Redgate Wealth, Mihkel Nestor, Economic Analyst at SEB, Kusti Salm, CEO of Frankenburg Technologies, Mart Ustav, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Icosagen AS, Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Board at Tallinna Sadam, Märt-Erik Martens, Co-founder and CEO of Gelatex Technologies, Aare Tark, Senior Partner at the law firm TARK, and Priit Hõbemägi, Editor-in-Chief of Postimees.

To view the photo gallery from the conference, click HERE.

PRESENTATIONS (in Estonian only)

AARE TARK

KRISTEN MICHAL

PIRET MÜRK-DUBOUT

PEETER KOPPEL
MIHKEL NESTOR

KUSTI SALM

MART USTAV
VALDO KALM
MÄRT-ERIK MARTENS

The Tallinn Administrative Court has ruled in favour of our client in a pivotal case concerning the right to acquire multiple firearms for self-defence. Our client had applied to the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) for a permit to purchase two rifled-barrel pistols for personal and property protection.

However, the PPA partially denied the request, arguing that the client had not sufficiently justified how possessing two firearms would enhance their protection.

Tauno Tark, a partner at the law firm TARK, challenged the decision by filing a complaint with the Tallinn Administrative Court. The complaint sought the partial annulment of the PPA’s decision and requested that the PPA be required to issue a permit for the second rifled-barrel pistol.

The court ruled that the Firearms Act does not prohibit the issuance of multiple firearm acquisition permits, provided that the applicant meets all legal requirements and no disqualifying circumstances exist. Furthermore, the court emphasised that the PPA’s refusal was not based on any specific provision of the Firearms Act or the Administrative Procedure Act and that the decision contained significant errors in judgment.

As a result, the court upheld the complaint, annulled the PPA’s decision regarding the second firearm permit, and ordered the PPA to reconsider the application.

This ruling sets an important legal precedent, reaffirming citizens’ rights in firearm acquisition and curbing the unjustified discretionary power of authorities in areas not explicitly regulated by law.

On March 8, BBC Radio 4 “Profile” series covered the life and career of Kaja Kallas. Journalist Mark Coles interviewed her friends, university colleagues and political allies to understand how she became the “Iron Lady of Europe”. Our partner Marit Savi also shared her thoughts and stories on the show, recalling their time together as young lawyers at Tark & ​​Co.

Listen to the 14-minute profile story “Kaja Kallas: the EU’s top diplomat standing by Kyiv” on the BBC website.

CasaPay’s new rental platform has just raised €750 000 in funding and is challenging the start-ups already established in the market.

Risto Klausen, co-founder of the successful international start-ups Bike-ID and Inzmo, has launched CasaPay, a unique real estate rental and payment platform in Europe, in partnership with If Insurance, which allows landlords to always receive full payment of all rent and utility bills and exempts tenants from paying a deposit.

TARK’s transaction team including Hannes Küün, Marit Savi and Tarvi Salu contributed to the legal analysis of the application and drafting of fundraising documents and negotiations thereof. CasaPay is created and invested in by experts with long experience in the Estonian real estate industry and the Finnish investment fund Icebreaker Fund II. Icebreaker Fund II is a venture capital fund managed by Icebreaker.vc.

Read more:

https://blogi.kinnisvara24.ee/bike-id-asutaja-kaivitas-uue-kinnisvara-uuriplatvormi-mis-kindlustab-omanikule-koik-maksed/

https://digipro.geenius.ee/rubriik/uudis/bike-id-asutaja-uus-uuriplatvorm-kaasas-raha-ja-heidab-kinda-turul-juba-kanda-kinnitanud-idule/

For several years now, law office TARK has participated as one of the representatives of Estonia in compiling the “World Justice Project Rule of Law Index”. The World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent organization that annually compiles an important publication – the Rule of Law Index. Based on the index, countries are ranked according to how the rule of law is experienced and perceived based on the experience of representatives from 140 countries.

An important contribution to the development, strengthening and promotion of the Estonian rule of law.

Although the rule of law seems to be the domain of lawyers, everyone is affected by everyday issues of safety, rights and justice, and government decisions. Therefore, all persons have an important role to play in the functioning of the rule of law.

Law office TARK was chosen by the WJP as one of the representatives of Estonia in compiling the “Rule of Law Index 2024” because we have a vast experience in many fields of law. As far as the WJP is aware, many national governments are using this unique report to develop changes to their regulatory environment.

WJP was advised by partner Tauno Tark.

TARK advised Justkull on the sale of 100% shares in Solarpark Kuusalu OÜ to Elektrum Eesti, as a result of which Latvenergo´s group company Elektrum Eesti became the sole owner of Solarpark Kuusalu spreading over 22 hectares in Kuusalu municipality.

The Kuusalu solar park generates electricity with nearly 27,000 south-facing bi-facial panels with a total capacity of 17.4 MWp. The park’s annual solar electricity output to the grid is approximately 17 GWh.

Agnes Makk, Chairman of the Management Board of Elektrum Eesti, confirmed that Elektrum continues to expand solar and wind energy production opportunities in Estonia by purchasing already operating or under-construction plants and planning new energy parks.

According to the representative and owner of the seller, Erko Kundla, the development of the solar park has been a difficult and at the same time an exciting challenge.

TARK advised the client on matters related to the legal due diligence, drafting of the share purchase agreement and in negotiations with the seller and the bank that financed the construction of the solar park, as well as regarding completion of the transaction.

TARK’s transaction team included partners Hannes Küün, Marit Savi and also our lawyer Tarvi Salu. We are happy to support and help innovative and ecofriendly businesses.

Read more:

https://www.elektrum.ee/en/private/news/news/elektrum-acquires-kuusalu-solar-park-with-a-total-capacity-of-17-mw

The Legal 500, an international publishing company assessing law firms and lawyers global has published the results of its 2024 research. We proudly announce that TARK was again recognized in most categories and all our partners were also highlighted by name.

As many as three of our attorneys received the Leading Individuals award – managing partner Tanel Tark in the field of EU and Competition law, partners Marit Savi and Hannes Küün received the Leading Individuals award in the field of Commercial, Corporate and M&A.

The Legal500 awarded with the nomination of Next Generation Partner Tauno Tark in the field of Dispute Resolution and Tanel Küün in the fields of Real Estate and Construction and in Banking, Finance and Capital Markets.

In addition, the attorneys of TARK are highlighted and recommended as the best in their field in the following areas: Allar Aru – Real Estate and Construction and Banking, Finance and Capital Markets in Estonia, Aare Tark and Rahel Behrsin – Dispute Resolution, Tanel Tark– Banking, Finance and Capital Markets, Real Estate and Construction, Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Estonia, Hannes Küün – Banking, Finance and Capital Markets and Real Estate & Construction in Estonia.

We thank our clients and cooperation partners for appreciating our work!

For additional information, please see www.legal500.com.

For over 30 years, The Legal 500 has been ranking the quality of legal service providers by analyzing the capabilities of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions across the world. The rankings are based on a series of criteria, among others long-lasting experience in the field of legal services, reviews of experienced independent experts, and feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide.

Greentech startup Woola, which produces packaging material from sheep’s wool, raised €2.5 million under the lead of the Jaan Tallinn’s fund Metaplanet to expand its offering in the luxury goods market. Existing investors Future Ventures and Lemonade Stand also joined the investment round.

In June, 2023, Woola won the prestigious LVMH Innovation Award in the category “sustainability and green technology” and joined the group’s business accelerator La Maison des Startups.

TARK team, which included partner Hannes Küün and lawyer Tarvi Salu, was once again able to assist Woola in a new seed round. We are happy to support and help innovative and environmentally friendly entrepreneurship.

Read more:

https://investinestonia.com/woola-snaps-e2-5m-to-make-wool-packaging-a-new-norm/

Klaus, the AI-powered customer service platform, and Zendesk have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Klaus.

Klaus and Zendesk share a vision of AI-led, personalized CX, where businesses proactively meet and address customer needs. Zendesk, a developer of SaaS software for customer support, sales and other customer communications, has been one of Klaus’ largest partners to date.

Founded in 2018, Klaus has found traction with hundreds of global enterprise customers, among them household names such as Euronics, SoundCloud, Wolt and Epic Games.

Klaus’ investors include German-based venture capital fund Acton, Global Founders Capital, several founders and executives of Pipedrive, the prestigious Swedish fund Creandum and the Finnish fund Icebreaker.

The last few months have brought a lot of work for our best team – Hannes Küün, Tanel Küün, Marit Savi, Tanel Tark, Tarvi Salu and Katri Tšesnokov – they all have been involved in advising on the transaction.

Zendesk’s acquisition of Klaus is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2024 upon receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Read more:

https://www.klausapp.com/blog/a-message-from-the-founders/

https://www.zendesk.com/newsroom/articles/klaus-acquisition24/