Commission's proposed "green crimes" Directive
The Commission has brought forward a proposal that sets down criminal lawsanctions for breach of environmental legislation – the so-called “green crimes”Directive. Seeking to put an end to the divergence in how activity such as theillegal emission of hazardous substances is penalised throughout Europe, thedraft Directive obliges Member States to treat serious offences against theenvironment as criminal acts. It also specifies the type and levels ofpenalties, both for individuals and companies, that must be set down for certainconduct. For example, Member States must classify intentionally causing deaththrough discharges or emissions of material into the air, soil or water as acriminal act under domestic legislation, and sets down a maximum sentence of atleast five years. Other sanctions available include fines and, for legalpersons, judicial winding-up orders and disqualification from certainactivities. The Council and the European Parliament will examine this proposalin the coming months, both having equal decision-making power.
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KŠB "Scores" Major Infrastructure Win: The New Ball Sports Centre in České Budějovice
KŠB has advised on the execution of a construction contract for the Ball Sports Centre in České Budějovice, a major public infrastructure project set to become a new landmark for sport and community life in the region.
Suburbanization Trends and Sustainable Commuting: Will the Construction Act Amendment Change the Landscape?
The discussion surrounding the current proposal to amend the Construction Act (Parliamentary Print 67) has moved to the committee stage in the Chamber of Deputies following its first reading. The primary declared objective is the acceleration of construction, particularly regarding residential buildings. The shortage of affordable housing remains a pressing issue in major cities, both in the Czech Republic and abroad, giving rise to the pervasive trend of suburbanization. This raises the question: does the proposed amendment truly have the ambition to reverse this trend, and will an increase in housing construction alone suffice?
Success for KŠB’s Litigation Team
KŠB’s litigation team, led by Pavel Dejl and Hana Dejlová, has achieved a significant victory for a long-standing client in a dispute with the Czech Ministry of Justice concerning excessively lengthy court proceedings.
