The new Romanian Forest Code (Law no. 331/2024) introduces a comprehensive legal framework for civil liability concerning forest-related ecological damage. Aimed at countering illegal logging and forest degradation, the legislation enforces both preventive and reparatory mechanisms by holding forest administrators, public authorities, and forest rangers accountable for any damage caused or unreported. It incorporates the „polluter pays” princi...

The paper contrasts real estate investments with the alternative of placements into investment funds, presenting the main investment trends, opportunities and challenges – encountered in the author’s recent attorney practice – in light of the new legal provisions introduced in the field of investment funds. The paper focuses primarily on the implications of extensive legislative changes at the national and European levels that have come into eff...

Top researchers in the field of artificial intelligence, supported by policymakers from the states involved in this EU-level initiative, investigate the damage that advanced artificial intelligence systems could cause, while also analyzing the manner in which the liability of artificial intelligence developers whose models cause or are used to cause large-scale damage can be held. In this context, this study brings back into discussion, start...

The traditional linear economic model (‚extract – produce – consume – consume – dispose’/ ’take – make – waste’) has shaped the economic development for centuries, but its negative impact on the environment and natural resources has become increasingly evident. By intensively exploiting raw materials without adequate conservation or reuse measures, this model has led to an over- exploitation of natural reso...

Early warning is a tool that tells you that you need to act quickly because your business is in difficulty or even in a state of insolvency. The seeds of the state of financial difficulty are clearly and unquestionably found in the way the company carries out its activity and the prevention and collapse of an entity can be anticipated by the signals it gives. As a barometer or in other whistleblower terminology, this early warning method requ...

This paper analyses the scope of the VAT regime from the perspective of abusivepractices that may arise as a result of the application of tax legislation. Since, forthe parties to the main proceedings, the proceedings are, in so far as they areconcerned, a step in the action pending before the referring court, the decisionon costs is a matter for that court. Costs incurred in submitting observations tothe Court, ...

The concept of „law” in art. 53 of the Romanian Constitution is susceptible to several interpretations. The normative acts adopted by the Parliament as the sole legislative authority of the country represent laws stricto sensu, respecting both the formal and the material criterion of defi ning the concept of „law”, and the ordinances adopted by the Government, simple or emergency, represent laws lato sensu, respecting only the material criteri...

The crime of voter corruption is provided for in Art. 386 of the Criminal Code, as part of the title dedicated to electoral crimes, being the first time that the crime is criminalized in the Criminal Code. By including the crime of voter corruption in the Criminal Code and abandoning its regulation in separate normative acts applicable to different types of elections, the legislator succeeded in eliminating the previously existing overlaps an...

The paper examines the intricate relationship between political risk, legislative instability, and foreign investment in development projects. It highlights the necessity of stabilization clauses as a key mechanism to safeguard investors from unforeseen legislative changes that could adversely impact their operations. The paper aligns its discussions with the principles outlined in the Charter on the Economic Rights and Duties of States, advoca...

Directive (EU) no. 2023/2673 regarding distance financial services contracts (NDCD) significantly modernizes the European regulations on distance financial services contracts. The NDCD extends its scope to a wide range of financial services, including innovative ones, by providing a minimum level of consumer protection. The Directive imposes increased transparency requirements for pre-contractual information, strengthens the right of withdrawal...