Odvjetničko društvo Vukina & Partneri https://vukina.hr Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:52:07 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://vukina.hr/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/site_logo-36x36.png Odvjetničko društvo Vukina & Partneri https://vukina.hr 32 32 New Publication: Patent Litigation in Croatia https://vukina.hr/en/new-publication-patent-litigation-in-croatia/ Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:45:10 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=5549

New Publication: Patent Litigation in Croatia


We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest contribution to Lexology In-Depth, titled “Patent Litigation – Croatia”, authored by our partners, Sanja Vukina and Mislav Vukina.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Croatian patent litigation procedures, substantive legal standards, recent developments, and practical considerations for rights holders operating in Croatia. It also highlights emerging judicial trends and offers insights into the expected evolution of patent enforcement mechanisms.

You may access the full article via Lexology: Lexology In-Depth -Patent Litigation- Croatia

For any questions regarding patent disputes, enforcement strategies, or regulatory matters in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors, our team remains at your disposal.



]]> The 94th Council of the European Patent Institute meeting https://vukina.hr/en/the-94th-council-of-the-european-patent-institute-meeting-2/ Wed, 31 May 2023 08:42:29 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=4864

The 94th Council of the European Patent Institute meeting


Attorney at law Sanja Vukina was elected for the sixth time in a row as a member of the Council of the European Patent Institute as a representative of the patent attorneys of the Republic of Croatia, for the 2023 to 2026 term.

The European Patent Institute is an institute of professional representatives before the European Patent Office representing all European Patent Attorneys. The European Patent Institute primarily deals with the development and implications of patent law, where it is at the forefront of patent law development and regularly issues legal opinions and highly specialized advice in the field of patent law.

The 94th Council meeting, where the validity of the election of members was confirmed, was held on May 2 and 3, 2023 in Malmö.



]]> Nuqleus https://vukina.hr/en/nuqleus/ Tue, 16 May 2023 06:01:59 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=4845

Nuqleus


On May 3rd 2023, attorneys at law Fran Vukina and Mislav Vukina attended the pitches of the Nuqlues teams.

The Nuqleus program is a research and academic entrepreneurship program of the Nikola Tesla Innovation Center (ICENT) and it is primarily oriented towards innovations created in the context of scientific research. Through the program, students, researchers, and scientists are educated on the commercialization of the results of scientific research.

Attorneys at law Fran Vukina and Mislav Vukina participate in the Nuqleus program as mentors and within the they program provide legal support to the Nikola Tesla Innovation Center (ICENT) established in 2015 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb.

For more information on each individual Nuqleus team, visit https://nuqleus.io/blog/.



]]> The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 https://vukina.hr/en/the-legal-500-emea-2023-2/ Wed, 10 May 2023 08:18:11 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=4830

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023


Legal 500 (Legalease) has published a list of the best attorneys at law and law firms, and the Law Firm Vukina & Partneri d.o.o. has been listed of and commercial, corporate, M&A and intellectual property categories.

Law firm Vukina & Partners Ltd. is recognized as a company with many years of experience and in-depth knowledge in the IP field and as a company that can provide legal support at the highest level in various areas of law.

It was highlighted that partner Sanja Vukina and lawyer Mislav Vukina, as IP team leaders, “show a deep knowledge of the protection of IP”, while for the corporate team, attorney at law Fran Vukina, attorney at law Mislav Vukina and attorney at law Martin Labaš it was emphasized that “they are capable of providing top-tier-level law services especially in the areas of finance, energy, commercial and corporate law. “

Legal 500 (Legalease) is a legal directory that for 33 years has been conducting a comprehensive research program analyzing the capabilities of attorneys at law and law firms around the world in more than 150 areas of law, based, among other things, on client feedback.

We would like to thank all our clients for their trust and continued recognition of our efforts and work over the past 30 years. It is our pleasure to work with you.



]]> JCA Lawyers- JCA International https://vukina.hr/en/jca-lawyers-jca-international-2/ Wed, 10 May 2023 08:06:31 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=4819

JCA Lawyers- JCA International


Law firm Vukina & Partners Ltd. was admitted as a member to the JCA Lawyers – JCA International network of law firms at the members’ meeting held in Paris in 2023.

JCA International was founded in 1995 with the aim of creating a network of European commercial law firms. The network currently consists of 25 members, with membership limited to one law firm per state. Members cover the whole of Europe with contacts with other law firms around the world and provide their clients with services of a comparable high-quality standard in terms of cross-border transactions.

Together with a network of trusted partners, the Law Firm Vukina & Partners Ltd. will remain dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support to clients in the Republic of Croatia and abroad.



]]> HOW TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS ON THE MARKET OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF COMPETENT CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES – NATIONAL APPLICATION AND UNION APPLICATION) https://vukina.hr/en/4334-2/ Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:44:08 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=4334

HOW TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS ON THE MARKET OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF COMPETENT CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES – NATIONAL APPLICATION AND UNION APPLICATION)


I. Introduction

Trade in counterfeit, pirated and other goods and products that infringe intellectual property rights (trade marks, geographical indications, patents, designs, copyrights and other related rights) (hereinafter “counterfeit goods”) has multiple effects on business enterprises that sell original goods in the Republic of Croatia and other EU member states.[1] Counterfeit goods reduce the demand for original goods, reduce revenues of legitimate producers, importers, exporters, distributors and sellers (retailers and wholesalers), create illegal competitive advantage for business enterprises free riding on benefits derived from investments (research and development (R&D), trade mark or name goodwill, investment in marketing, etc.) made by legitimate producers, importers, exporters, distributors and sellers.[2] Also, the production, import, export, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods may damage the reputation of trade marks concerned and undermine confidence in the quality of goods because counterfeit goods are defective and/or harmful.[3] This issue is particularly dangerous for small- and medium-sized business enterprises.[4] In addition, counterfeit goods cause significant damage not only to business enterprises that produce, import, export, distribute or sell original goods, but also to economic development, competitiveness of the Croatian and EU markets, as well as the health and safety of consumers in general.[5]

The protection of business enterprises from the production, import, export, distribution or sale of counterfeit goods is primarily carried out by protecting their intellectual property rights on their goods (hereinafter: “intellectual property rights holder”), through criminal, misdemeanour or civil proceedings. In order to strengthen the enforcement of these rights, a comprehensive European plan to prevent the circulation of counterfeit goods has been established, which, inter alia, enables customs measures to be taken in respect of goods suspected of infringing intellectual property rights.[6] The ultimate goal is to prevent the entry of counterfeit goods on the market of the Republic of Croatia and the EU, without impeding legitimate trade between countries.[7]

By acceding to the European Union, the Republic of Croatia became part of the customs territory of the European Union, and due to its geographical position it also became an important entry point of goods released for free circulation in Member States of the European Union.

According to the Report on the EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights: Results at the EU border, 2018[8], customs authorities made over 69 000 detentions in 2018, consisting of a total of 26.7 million articles. The retail value of detained goods in the EU is estimated at more than EUR 738 million.[9]

Overall, China is the main country of origin for counterfeit goods arriving in the EU. For certain product categories, other countries are the main countries of origin, in particular: Northern Macedonia for alcoholic beverages; Turkey for other beverages, perfumes and cosmetics; Hong Kong, China for watches, mobile phones and accessories, ink cartridges and toners, CDs/DVDs and labels, tags and stickers; India for computer equipment; Cambodia for cigarettes; and Bosnia and Herzegovina for packaging material.[10]

Among the detained goods, cigarettes accounted for 15.6 % of the overall amount of detained articles, followed by toys (14.2 %), packaging material (9.4 %), labels, tags and stickers (8.9 %) and clothing (8.6 %).[11] Products potentially dangerous to the health and safety of consumers (i.e. suspected trade mark infringements concerning food and beverages, body care articles, medicines, electrical household goods and toys) accounted for 36.8 % of the total amount of detained articles.[12]

In 2018, 82.9 % of the detention procedures were started by competent customs authorities, the goods were destroyed after the owner of the goods and the intellectual property rights holder agreed on destruction.[13] In 3.9 % of the detentions, a court case was initiated to determine the infringement and, in 2.8 % of cases, the goods were dealt with as part of criminal proceedings.[14] Furthermore 77 % of the detained articles were destroyed or were subject to court proceedings.[15] However, 22 % of the detained articles were released because the intellectual property rights holder did not respond to the notification by customs authorities (8 %), or the articles were eventually found to be original goods (14 %), or no infringement was established (0.3 %).[16]

In order to protect themselves from the consequences of the production, import, export, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods, business enterprises have the opportunity to inform and/or initiate certain proceedings before the competent authorities (Customs Administration, the police, State Attorney’s Office) in order to initiate investigations, misdemeanour and criminal proceedings. Also, business enterprises may file individual lawsuits against producers, importers, exporters, distributors or sellers of counterfeit goods in order to protect their rights and claim compensation for damages.

As the competent customs authorities have a limited amount of information at their disposal, it is possible for counterfeit goods to proceed through customs control and supervision unnoticed. Therefore, the identification and detection of counterfeit goods intended for free circulation in the Republic of Croatia or the EU is provided for and facilitated by submitting the necessary requests and notifications to the competent customs authorities.

In this article we aim to provide an overview of the regulation of the so-called national and Union applications, by way of which the competent customs authorities are supplied with prior information necessary in order to protect business enterprises from counterfeit goods, as well as customs proceedings relating to counterfeit goods initiated by submitting the above-mentioned applications and the measures which the customs authority may take ex officio in respect of counterfeit goods.

II. Which intellectual property (IP) rights are protected? Which goods may be subject to enforcement action?

Provisions regulating the customs authorities’ action in relation to intellectual property rights infringements are laid out in the Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 (the “Regulation (EU) 608/2013”).

In accordance with the Regulation (EU) 608/2013, action is to be taken when infringement of the following intellectual property rights is suspected:

  • EU, national or international trade mark;
  • geographical indication;
  • registered community, unregistered community, international and national design;
  • copyright or any related right;
  • patent;
  • supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products;
  • supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products;
  • plant variety right;
  • topography of semiconductor product;
  • utility model;
  • trade name.[17]

It should also be noted that the customs authorities’ actions provided for in the Regulation (EU) 608/2013 may be undertaken only with regard to goods which are liable to customs supervision or control. Those are particularly the goods:

  • declared for release for free circulation, export or re-export,
  • entering or leaving the customs territory of the Union,
  • placed under a suspensive procedure or in a free zone or free warehouse.[18]

However, the Regulation (EU) 608/2013 does not apply to goods carried by passengers in their personal luggage, provided that they are for their personal use and there are no indications that commercial traffic is involved. [19]

Furthermore, since illegal parallel trade, i.e. goods manufactured with the consent of the right-holder but placed on the market for the first time in the EEA without his consent, and overruns, i.e. goods manufactured by a person duly authorised by a right-holder to manufacture a certain quantity of goods, but manufactured in excess of the quantities agreed, are considered to be manufactured as genuine goods, they are also excluded from the scope of Regulation (EU) 608/2013.[20]

III. National application and Union application

Intellectual property rights holders can submit a national or Union application to the competent customs authority. By submitting a national application, the applicant requests the customs authorities of a Member State to take action on the territory of that Member State.[21] Union application means an application lodged in one Member State requiring the customs authorities of that Member State and one or more other Member States to take action in their respective Member State.[22] Union application may only be submitted with respect to intellectual property rights based on Union law producing effects throughout the Union.[23]

The list of persons and entities entitled to submit a national or Union application is laid down in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 608/2013, as follows[24]:

Persons and entities National application Union application
Intellectual property rights holders X X
Intellectual property collective rights management bodies X X
Professional defence bodies X X
Groups of producers of products with a geographical indication provided for in Union law or representatives of such groups and operators entitled to use a geographical indication as well as inspection bodies or authorities competent for such a geographical indication X X
Persons or entities authorised to use intellectual property rights, which have been authorised formally by the right-holder to initiate proceedings in order to determine whether the intellectual property right has been infringed X
Groups of producers of products with a geographical

indication provided for in National law or representatives of such groups and operators entitled to use a geographical indication, as well as inspection bodies or authorities competent for such a geographical indication

 X
Holders of exclusive licenses covering the entire territory of two or more Member States, formally authorised in those Member States by the right-holder to initiate proceedings in order to determine whether the intellectual

property right has been infringed

 X X

Applications are to be submitted to customs departments designated by each Member State.[25] If the application is to be submitted to Croatian customs authority, it should be submitted to the Central Office of the Croatian Customs Administration (Sector for Customs Systems), on a prescribed form.[26]

Having in mind that the proper functioning of the customs enforcement procedure depends on the quality of information provided to the customs authorities[27], the applicant is required to provide information listed in the application form, including the following:

–           details concerning the applicant,

–           documents providing evidence that the applicant is entitled to submit the application,

–           the intellectual property right or rights to be enforced,

–           specific and technical data on the authentic goods, including markings such as bar-coding and images where appropriate,

–           the information needed to enable the customs authorities to readily identify the goods in question,

–           information relevant to the customs authorities’ analysis and assessment of the risk of infringement of the intellectual property rights concerned, such as the authorised distributors.[28]

Upon receiving the complete application, the competent customs department notifies the applicant of its decision granting or rejecting the application within 30 working days.[29] In the event of rejection, the customs department provides reasons for its decision and information on the appeal procedure.[30]

If the application is granted, pursuant to Art. 2 (13) of Regulation (EU) 608/2013, the applicant is further referred to as the “holder of the decision”.[31] The decision granting a national application or Union application takes effect in the Member State in which the national application or Union application was submitted from the day following the date of adoption, while the decision granting a Union application takes effect in all other Member States where action by the customs authorities is requested on the day following the date on which the customs authorities are notified thereof.[32]

The period during which the customs authorities are to take action may not exceed one year from the day following the date of adoption of the decision.[33] However, that period may be extended for a further one-year period at the request of the holder of the decision, submitted to the competent customs department at least 30 working days before the expiry of the period to be extended.[34]

IV. Taking action ex-officio

The customs authorities may also suspend the release of non-perishable goods or detain them even if no application was submitted, in case that they identify goods suspected of infringing an intellectual property right.[35] However, if they do not identify any person or entity entitled to submit an application concerning the alleged infringement of intellectual property rights within one working day from the suspension of the release or the detention of the goods or if they do not receive a national application or Union application, or where they reject such an application, the customs authorities will release the goods or put an end to their detention immediately after completion of all customs formalities.[36]

V. What happens if goods suspected of infringing intellectual property right are detected?

In the event that the customs authorities identify goods suspected of infringing an intellectual property right covered by a decision granting the application, they are to:

  1. suspend the release of the goods or detain them and,
  2. notify within one working day:
  • the person lodging a customs declaration or comparable declaration/notification[37] (the “declarant”), or
  • the person who is the owner of the goods suspected of infringing an IP right or who has a similar right of disposal, or physical control, over such goods (the “holder of the goods”), as well as
  • the holder of the decision.[38]

Upon receiving the notification of suspension or detainment of goods, the holder of the decision and the declarant or the holder of the goods are given the opportunity to inspect the goods in question, and the customs authorities may take samples that are representative of the goods.[39] Such samples may be provided to the holder of the decision and strictly for the purposes of analysis and the subsequent procedure in relation to counterfeit goods.[40] It must be noted that any analysis of those samples is carried out under the sole responsibility of the holder of the decision.[41]

VI. Will the detected goods be destroyed? Should any further proceeding be initiated?

Goods suspected of infringing an intellectual property right may be destroyed under customs control, without determining whether an intellectual property right has been infringed, if:

  1. the holder of the decision confirms in writing to the customs authorities that, in his conviction, an intellectual property right has been infringed and agrees in writing to the destruction of goods; and
  2. both the holder of the decision and the declarant or the holder of the goods confirm in writing to the customs authorities their agreement to the destruction of the goods. [42]

All confirmations must be made within ten working days, or three working days in the case of perishable goods, of notification of the suspension of the release or the detention of the goods.[43]

Where the declarant or the holder of the goods has not confirmed his agreement to the destruction of the goods nor notified his opposition to the customs authorities, the customs authorities may deem the declarant or the holder of the goods to have confirmed his agreement to the destruction of those goods.[44]

If aforementioned conditions have not been met, the customs authorities shall grant the release of the goods or put an end to their detention.[45]

However, even if the customs authorities have not received within the time limit all the necessary confirmations from the holder of the decision or where the confirmation of their agreement to the destruction of goods from the declarant or the holder of the goods may not be deemed to have been given, the customs authorities shall not authorize the release of the goods or put an end to their detention if the holder of the decision has initiated a proceeding to establish the infringement of intellectual property rights within the abovementioned set deadlines.[46]

The destruction of the goods is carried out under customs control and under the responsibility of the holder of the decision.[47] Pursuant to Art. 52 (1) of the Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act (Official Gazette 40/2016, hereinafter: “Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act”), the cost of destruction is to be borne by the holder of the decision.[48] Samples may be taken by competent authorities prior to the destruction of the goods, which may be used for educational purposes.[49]

Finally, if the customs authorities have not been duly informed on the initiation of proceedings to determine whether an intellectual property right has been infringed, they will grant the release of the goods or put an end to their detention immediately after completion of all customs formalities.[50]

VII. Early release

Even if the customs authorities have been notified of the initiation of proceedings to determine whether a design, patent, utility model, topography of semiconductor product or plant variety has been infringed, the declarant or the holder of the goods may request the customs authorities to release the goods or put an end to their detention before the completion of those proceedings.[51]

Such request shall be granted if the following conditions are met:

  1. the declarant or the holder of the goods has provided a guarantee that is of an amount sufficient to protect the interests of the holder of the decision;
  2. the authority competent to determine whether an intellectual property right has been infringed has not authorised precautionary measures;
  3. all customs formalities have been completed.[52]

VIII. Liability and Costs

Pursuant to Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 608/2013, where requested by the customs authorities, the holder of the decision will have to reimburse the costs incurred by the customs authorities, from the moment of detention or suspension of the release of the goods, including storage and handling of the goods as well as the cost of the destruction of goods.[53]

In accordance with Article 51 of Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act, during the suspension of the release of goods or detention of goods, the responsibility and costs of storage, keeping, handling and maintenance of goods shall be borne by the declarant or the holder of the goods.[54]

If legal proceedings in order to determine whether an intellectual property right has been infringed are initiated, the responsibility and costs of storage, keeping, handling and maintenance of the goods shall pass on to the holder of the decision from the moment when the customs authorities are notified.[55] The holder of the decision has the right to claim reimbursement of all the costs incurred within the court proceedings initiated in order to determine the infringement of intellectual property rights.[56] In addition, the holder of the decision has the right to claim compensation for the damage thus caused.

In case of non-fulfillment of the obligation to bear the costs, the customs authority will revoke the national approval or suspend the action of the Customs Administration.[57] In such case, a new national application may be granted or the suspension of action lifted only after the holder of the decision reimburses all of the costs previously incurred.[58]

Where a procedure duly initiated pursuant to Regulation (EU) 608/2013 is suspended due to an act or omission on the part of the holder of the decision or where the goods in question are subsequently found not to infringe an intellectual property right, the holder of the decision shall be liable towards any holder of the goods or declarant, who has therefore suffered damages.[59]

End notes

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-controls/counterfeit-piracy-other-ipr-violations/a-serious-problem-everyone_en (accessed on 8 November 2020 at 11 AM)

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Council Resolution of 25 September 2008 on a comprehensive European anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy plan, OJ C 253 of 4 October 2008, page 3.

[7] Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003, OJ L 181, 29 June 2013, pages 15–34 (further: „Regulation (EU) No 608/2013”), recitals 1-2.

[8] Report on the EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights: Results at the EU border, 2018, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2019, available on: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/sites/taxation/files/2019-ipr-report.pdf, accessed on 26 May 2020 (hereinafter: „Report”).

[9] Ibid., page 6.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Regulation (EU) 608/2013, Art. 2 (1)

[18] Ibid., Art. 1 (1)

[19] ibid., recital 4, Art. 1 (4)

[20] Ibid., recital 6, Art. 1 (5)

[21] Ibid., Art. 2 (10)

[22] Ibid., Art. 2 (11)

[23] Ibid., Art. 4 (1)

[24] Customs enforcement of intellectual property rights in the EU, manual for the completion of applications for action and extension requests Regulation (EU) No. 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 June 2013 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 1352/2013 of 4 December 2013, August 2014.,

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/sites/taxation/files/resources/documents/customs/customs_controls/counterfeit_piracy/right_holders/manual-application-for-action_en.pdf, page 6 (accessed 8 November 2020 at 5:45 PM)

[25] Ibid. Art. 5

[26] Customs Service Act, Official Gazette 68/2013, 30/2014, 115/2016, 39/2019, 98/2019, Art. 11. (1.).

[27] Report, page 8.

[28] Regulation (EU) 608/2013, Art. 6 (3)

[29] Ibid., Art. 7 (2)

[30] Ibid., Art. 9 (1)

[31] Ibid., Art. 2 (13)

[32] Ibid., Art 10

[33] Ibid., Art. 11 (1)

[34] Ibid., Art. 12 (4)

[35] Ibid., Art. 18 (1)

[36] Ibid., Art. 18 (4)

[37] Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, OJ L 269, 10 October 2013, p. 1–101, Art. 5 (15)

[38] Regulation (EU) 608/2013, Art. 17

[39] Ibid., Art. 19

[40] Ibid., Art. 19

[41] Ibid., Art. 19

[42] Ibid., Art. 23 (1)

[43] Ibid., Art. 23 (1)

[44] Ibid., Art. 23

[45] Ibid., Art. 23 (5)

[46] Ibid., Art. 23 (1, 3)

[47] Ibid.

[48] Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act, Official Gazette 40/2016 (further: Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act), Art. 52 (1).

[49] Regulation (EU) 608/2013, Art. 23 (2)

[50] Ibid., Art. 23 (5)

[51] Ibid., Art. 24 (1)

[52] Ibid., Art. 24 (2)

[53] Ibid., Art. 29

[54] Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act, Art. 51 (1)

[55] Ibid., Art. 51 (2)

[56] Regulation (EU) 608/2013, Art. 29

[57] Implementation of Customs Legislation of the European Union Act, Art. 54 (1)

[58] Ibid., Art. 54

[59] Regulation (EU) 608/2013, Art. 28

For all further questions regarding the submission of a request to the competent customs authority, the initiation of appropriate court proceedings or other issues related to the protection of intellectual property rights, please contact us on our email: info@vukina.hr.

Date: 18 November 2020

Mislav Vukina,
Attorney at law

Josipa Kovačević,
Associate



]]> Law Reviews https://vukina.hr/en/law-reviews/ Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:45:27 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=4071

The Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Law Review


Sanja Vukina has contributed to the Croatian chapter in “The Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Law Review” (Sixth Edition, editor Alan Charles Raul), which has been published by Law Business Research in its “Law Reviews” series.

The “Law Reviews” series provides readers with a business-related overview regarding currently relevant legal issues, including analysis of important cases in each field of law. Additionally, the “Law Review” series acts as an essential information tool for practitioners, in-house counsels, governments and corporate officers facilitating them to apply different innovative and strategic solutions regarding particular legal issues.

In the Croatian chapter, Sanja Vukina provides an overview of recent Croatian legislative and regulatory developments regarding privacy, data protection and cybersecurity law, including also an insight regarding recent case law.

Read here the complete Croatian chapter published by Sanja Vukina: https://thelawreviews.co.uk/edition/the-privacy-data-protection-and-cybersecurity-law-review-edition-6/1210037/croatia.



]]> MEDIATION https://vukina.hr/en/mediation/ Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:10:16 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=3890

MEDIATION


One of our attorneys is a mediator registered at the Croatian Ministry of Justice, with basic training completed at the Croatian Mediation Association as well as additional training for mediators specialized for commercial disputes.
Therefore, in the mediation process, we can represent you:

as your attorneys
– we prepare our clients for the mediation process, participate in meetings, advise and help in finding optimal solutions by reaching agreements, all with minimal expenses and in short period of time;

or

as your mediators
– we guide the mediation process, recommend settlements and participate in their formulation

WHAT IS MEDIATION AND WHY CHOOSE IT?
Mediation is a process which can be conducted before the court, one of the mediation institutions or outside those institutions (so called ad hoc mediations). It is a form of conciliation where the parties resolve their disputes with the assistance of a certified mediator.
Mediation process can be initiated and conducted regardless if you have an ongoing dispute before the court or you only intend to file a claim. Furthermore, in business relations it is not necessary that you have foreseen mediation as means of dispute resolution in business cooperation agreements.

BENEFITS OF MEDIATION
– the process is volunatry, simple and confidential;
–  the process is usually brief and can extend to a maximum of 60 days (although the parties can agree to prolong it);
–  the parties are the final decision-makers, with the help of the mediator;
–  there in no risk of unfavourable court decisions (but, if the parties wish so, the process can end with a settlement which is equivalent to an enforceable court decision and represents the resolution of your dispute in the same manner as a court decision would);
–  especially appropriate for the resolution of long lasting court disputes;
–  possibility of an agreement about actions and services beyond specific dispute

THE ROLE OF AN ATTORNEY AT LAW IN MEDIATION
In the mediation process, you can be represented by your attorney at law in the same manner as in any other judicial or non-judicial process.

THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR
The mediator is an independent, confidential person who guides the process and participates in the formulation of the final agreement. With the exception of mediation led by the court, the parties are free to choose their own mediator. The mediator’s role is not to resolve the dispute by ruling but the parties themselves can bring the decision in form of a settlement.



]]> Law firm Vukina & Partners Ltd receives “Client choice” award https://vukina.hr/en/law-firm-vukina-partners-ltd-recieves-client-choice-award/ Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:25:34 +0000 https://vukina.hr/?p=3721

News


Attorney at Law Sanja Vukina is the winner of the Client Choice award for Croatia for the year 2017, being recognized by the clients as the best lawyer in the category Intellectual Property.

The Client Choice Awards were established in 2005 as part of the Globe Business Media Group, specialized in various areas of law, but with particular emphasis on intellectual property across the world. The Group has one of the largest online legal databases reaching more than 850,000 users, including 98% of Fortune 500 members.  The Client Choice Awards recognize law firms and partners globally who stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. The criteria for this recognition focus on an ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond the other players in the market. The winners of the Client Choice Awards are chosen on the basis of feedback given both by clients and other attorneys.

What clients said:

“Sanja is an outstanding lawyer; she is able to meet the needs of the client and support them effectively in their endeavours.”

“She exceeds expectations; she works out the best possible solutions that meet clients’ needs, providing extensive detail and preparing them carefully, all in a short period of time.”

“She is an expert in her field; she is well connected in IP, patent and trademark law and is an expert business lawyer.”

“She is very focused on client service; Sanja deals with our matters with great accuracy and seriousness.”

Sanja Vukina was recognized as a Client Choice winner in 2017:

https://www.clientchoice.com/sanja-vukina



]]>