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Martin Magal

Partner

Martin is recognised as one of Slovakia’s most accomplished private-practice lawyers.

He advises clients on a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and restructurings. At the same time, Martin heads the firm’s dispute resolution practice in Slovakia and in the wider CEE region. He has acted on many landmark M&A transactions involving Slovak target companies and investors across many sectors and industries, including financial institutions, media, telecoms, energy, technology and construction. He has litigated cases at all levels of the Slovak judiciary (including acting before the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court), in civil, administrative, anti-trust and arbitration-related litigations. Martin is also one of Slovakia’s leading arbitration practitioners.

He acts as counsel and arbitrator in international commercial arbitration cases under various arbitration rules, including ICC, UNCITRAL, DIS, VIAC, Swiss Rules and the rules of the Czech Agricultural and Industrial Chamber. Martin’s arbitration expertise is widely recognised through his numerous appointments, including as the principal drafter of an extensive amendment to the Slovak Arbitration Act, as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the International Advisory Board of the Vienna International Arbitration Centre and a board member of the Permanent Arbitration Court of the Slovak Bar Association.

Experience

Representative matters

ENEL on the sale of its 66% stake in Slovenské elektrárne to EPH in two phases, the first of which involved creating a temporary joint venture between ENEL and EPH. 

Slovak Telekom on the initial public offering of stakes and global depository receipts in the amount of EUR850m. 

Slovenské elektrárne in international arbitration before the Vienna International Arbitration Centre regarding a EUR588m claim against the Ministry of the Economy and various state entities regarding the termination of the client’s long-term management agreement for the Gabčíkovo Hydro Power Plant. 

VÚB (Intesa Sanpaolo) on the acquisition of consumer finance group Quatro/Triangel, leasing company BOF, and also financial intermediary Fincentrum (aborted).

Published Work

  • “Slovakia – Overview of Arbitration Legislation”, Global Arbitration Review, The European, Middle Eastern and African Arbitration Review, 2016, p. 117 – 121, co-authored with Juraj Gyárfáš and Martina Kasemová 
  • “Slovakia: New legislation for Central European tiger”, Global Arbitration Review, 2015, Volume 10 – Issue 1, co-authored with Juraj Gyárfáš and Michal Porubský 
  • “Has Arbitration Taken a Turn for the Better?” in Global Arbitration Review, European, Middle Eastern and African Arbitration Review 2015, p. 137-141, co-authored with Juraj Gyárfáš and Martina Kasemová 
  • “Slovakia: One Jump Forward, Three Steps Back” in Global Arbitration Review, The European, Middle Eastern and African Arbitration Review 2014, p. 128 – 132, co-authored with Juraj Gyárfáš 

Speaking Engagements

  • Judge, The GAR Live debate, Global Arbitration Review/2nd Annual GAR Live Vienna, 19/10/2018
  • Panel Moderator, How Recent CEE Political Trends and Developments are Likely to Affect Foreign Investment and Law Firm Business, CEE Legal Matters/Dealer’s Choice Conference, 06/06/2018 
  • Guest Speaker, Is the Winning Party in an Arbitration Proceeding Always Entitled to the Reimbursement of Costs?, American Chamber of Commerce/Arbitration Conference, 26/04/2018 
  • Moderator, Arbitration World Café/Vienna Arbitration Days 2017, 25/02/2017 

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Member of the International Advisory Board, Vienna
  • International Arbitral Centre Board member, The Permanent Arbitration Court of the Slovak Bar Association
Recognition
Martin is truly a top-class lawyer providing an excellent service and, more importantly, support. Martin is very attentive to the client's needs and leaves no stone unturned.
Chambers and Partners Europe 2023
He's really good to work with, very efficient, to the point and doesn't lose words. He's focused on finding a solution to problems.
Chambers and Partners Europe 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as advokat, Slovakia, 2001

Academic

Mgr, Law, Comenius University in Bratislava, 1998

LLM, University of Cambridge, 1999

Course, European Law, European University Institute, 1994

Course, Private International Law, 1997

Languages

Czech, English, Slovak
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.