News

FIDIC has launched three new agreements aimed at offering guidance and the relevant assistance to the Consulting Engineering industry on the appropriate methods for collaboration in services offered to their clients and connected parties globally. The Consulting Engineering sector has become a worldwide entity in both its business methods and ties. Systems of best practice are becoming increasingly vital, both domestically and abroad and FIDIC prepares tools and the necessary advice for its members and the consulting firms.   Firstly, the New Client/Consultant model service agreement (The White Book) is for the general use of most services offered by consulting engineers. These include pre-investment and feasibility studies, detailed design, construction administration and project management. This is suitable for both employer or contractor led design teams on any kind of design and build commissions. This agreement is equally suitable for use on both international and domestic projects. This edition of the...Read More

The first GAR (Global Arbitration Review) Live event was held in Vienna on 20th October 2017 in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. Boris Baklaja, one of our partners at BIT Law firm was in attendance at the conference program as an active participant. The Global Arbitration Review ground-breaking and interactive events and are designed to include the audience as an active part of the event itself. There are various topical discussions which are debated at these events and which this year included: the enforcement of arbitral awards in the CEE region, the effects of political change on the nature of arbitral disputes, and the hot topic “Is a party appointed arbitrator ever impartial?” which was included as part of the GAR live debate. These discussions were supplemented by a symposium session with set questions and the live debate. Some of the most prominent figures in international arbitration gather in major...Read More

The Criminal Law Reform Project (CLRP) implemented by the Bar Association of Serbia in partnership with regional Bar Associations, as well as the civil society organization Partners for Democratic Change Serbia and  supported over the last three years by the Balkans Regional Rule of Law Network (BRRLN)and USAID reached its completion in September last year in response to research undertaken by the regional rule of law network. The network conducted a comprehensive analysis of the strengths, independence and effectiveness of the defence bars in the Western Balkans. The results of the analysis highlighted five areas of high priority for strengthening defence advocacy in the region, which should further support rule of law in the area. The five defined areas for focus were Criminal Law Reform, Legal Aid and Ex Officio Appointment Systems, Training and Education within the profession, Bar Chamber Capacity and Media Relations and Public Awareness regarding role of...Read More

The  Law on the Amendments of the Law on Agricultural Land preventing foreign citizens from becoming owners of agricultural land of private ownership has been adopted as of this week. This was previously suggested in the text on the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the member states of the European Commission and the Republic of Serbia and includes the four-clause description of the factors leading to potential land ownership on Serbian territory, for EU persons. In the four years from the inception of this agreement, Serbia will gradually harmonize its legislation concerning the acquisition of ownership of immovable property in Serbia in order to provide citizens of EU member states with the same treatment as their citizens. The conditions for acquiring ownership of agricultural land for citizens of the European Union is now in accordance with the mentioned agreement and represents a matter that can only be regulated by law....Read More

ACES (Association of consulting engineers of Serbia), as a permanent member of the International FIDIC, its main goal is to represent the interests of FIDIC in the Republic of Serbia. ACES recognized a problem in the proper use of recommendations and principles stipulated releases FIDIC 1999 contract models, especially in Clause 20, which refers claims, disputes and arbitration. Although the large number of contracts based on FIDIC 1999 contract models are implemented, DAB (Dispute Adjudication Boards) were not appointed, although FIDIC 1999 edition of contracts stipulate appointment of both permanent and ad hoc DAB boards. By establishing national PRO list of ACES, based on model of “President’s list” of FIDIC and know-how and practical experiences of other countries, FIDIC members, to contracting parties will be given the opportunity to choose DAB members from PRO list of recommended professionals, as recommended by General Conditions of FIDIC 1999 edition. National PRO List...Read More

Arbitration represents an alternative dispute settlement mechanism, to resolving disputes before a court. The arbitration can be agreed between the parties in order to arbitrate a dispute arising out of a domestic and international commercial relations or any legal matter regarding the field of contractual relations, sport, employment or foreign investments. The arbitration agreement between the parties stands as a foundation of the arbitral tribunal’s jurisdiction to settle the dispute in accordance with the applicable law. The tribunal consists of arbitrators chosen by the parties or appointed by the institution that administers the proceedings. The corner stone of a successful arbitration lays in the independence and impartiality of arbitrators appointed to settle a dispute, providing a guarantees that the arbitral award would be an unbiased one. In Serbia there are two arbitration institutions. The Belgrade Arbitration Center (BAC) was established in 2013 as a permanent arbitral institution that administers domestic...Read More