We are living in exceptional times in Finland. Our economy is struggling, and we desperately need to find ways to create growth. In addition, our relations with Russia have severely changed and the border between Finland and Russia is closed. We are facing challenges we were not expecting and have come to realise that Finland may no longer be the safe haven it used to be. When the world changes with tectonic force, as a small country we are not always the ones in control. Instead, we must react to global events in a right and timely manner and make the best possible decisions for our country.
22.12.2023
Towards the new
Sakari Lukinmaa
Our resolution and ability to stay cool under pressure are put to the test once again. Now is the time to decide how to shape Finnish society and economy so that we may leave them to future generations in a better condition. We must be able to renew and invest in the future, not least because it is good security policy.
While we cannot be overly optimistic about the coming year, it would be a mistake to succumb to pessimism. Inflation is slowing down, and economists predict that the general interest rates will start to decline. This will hopefully unlock and encourage investments. Furthermore, decreasing costs and increasing profitability and appetite for investments will boost the major energy transition.
December marks the end to Castrén & Snellman’s 135th anniversary, which has been a welcome respite amid the world’s turbulence. We, too, at C&S are tasked with finding ways to increase efficiency and to provide smarter and more sustainable solutions to our clients. AI and its many applications are important tools in achieving this.
Finland has a long history of overcoming challenges, and I have no doubt it can do so once again. Creating growth and productivity is down to all of us. We at Castrén & Snellman wish to be involved in shaping our society and to do our part by helping our clients succeed in the changing world.
I’d like to thank our clients, stakeholders and employees for the past year and wish you courage and success for 2024!
Latest insights
Article published 2.10.2025 – Environment, Energy & Green Transition
Fingrid extends restrictions on new energy storage facility connections in Southern Finland until 2029
Article published 12.9.2025 – Capital Markets & Public M&A
Surely the preparation of interim reports does not need to be an insider project in the future?
Article published 9.9.2025
Launching C&S MBA Highlights Programme
Article published 9.7.2025 – FDI Regulatory Service
Defence sector investments and acquisitions – key facts about the Finnish FDI regulation
Konsta Peussa & Marius af Schultén
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Latest references
DNB Bank ASA – Lease and development of premises
We advised DNB Bank ASA in its agreement with Fennia Mutual Insurance Company on the development and lease of the premises at Fabianinkatu 8, Helsinki. With the lease agreement, DNB Bank ASA will focus all its Finnish operations at the Fabian 8 office. The other tenants at the renewed premises will be DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB’s Finnish operations and DNB Auto Finance Oy. In connection with the long-term lease agreement, the parties also agreed on a major renovation project to completely refurbish the premises. The object of lease will be completed in the second half of 2027.
Case published 10.10.2025
Yellow Film Studios – Merger of Yellow Film Studios and REinvent Studios
We advised Yellow Film Studios, the largest independent film and television production company in the Nordics, in its strategic merger with Danish film industry sales and financing studio REinvent Studios. Together they form Reinvent Yellow, a unified hub for television and film production, sales, financing and innovation, combining over three decades of production experience and a vast catalogue of titles.
Case published 8.10.2025
International reinsurance companies – Ad hoc arbitration proceedings
We successfully represented a panel of reinsurance companies in an international ad hoc arbitration. The dispute arose out of a reinsurance treaty under the terms of which the reinsurers had reinsured a portfolio of risks underwritten by the cedent. The parties disagreed as to whether the reinsurance provided coverage for a certain loss that had occurred because of the market turmoil caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The case involved highly complex legal and contractual questions requiring special expertise on reinsurance law and practice. The arbitral tribunal rejected the counterparty’s claims for reinsurance compensation against our clients in full. The amount in dispute was approximately EUR 34 million.
Case published 16.9.2025
byFounders.vc – DataCrunch’s USD 64 million Series A funding round
We supported byFounders.vc as the Finnish counsel in their investment in DataCrunch Oy in a USD 64 million Series A funding round. DataCrunch provides scalable AI compute solutions from energy-efficient data centers in Iceland and Finland. byFounders.vc is the community-powered early-stage venture fund investing in globally ambitious teams connected to the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Case published 11.9.2025