Cyprus > Banking and finance > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Elias Neocleous & Co LLC frequently advises local and overseas banks on complex transactions and also routinely receives referrals from major international law firms. It advised AIM-listed Globalworth Real Estate Investments and its Cypriot subsidiaries on an increase in syndicated credit facilities. It also acted for certain international financial institutions (led by Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) on the local law aspects of a $1bn project financing for stage two of the Shah Deniz gas development in Azerbaijan. Costas Stamatiou heads the team, which is ‘responsive’ and gives ‘concise advice’. Elias Neocleous, Panos Labropoulos and the ‘very quick’ Philippos Aristotelous also have excellent reputations.

Antis Triantafyllides & Sons is ‘strong in the market’, notably with Stelios Triantafyllides having considerable experience of international secured financing transactions. Legal consultant James West and senior managing associate Marios Hadjigavriel are ‘always available to discuss issues’.

FIRMS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC

Limassol Nicosia

The banking and finance team at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is ranked in the top tier for Cyprus, duly acknowledged for delivering outstanding legal services to its clients. With a 52-year experience in the legal market and the international culture, the lawyers and legal consultants of the Firm successfully handle challenging cross-border corporate finance transactions and banking projects.

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Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office’s ‘solid’ team regularly acts for local and international clients on financial regulatory matters, syndicated lending transactions and ship finance. Demosthenes Mavrellis continues to advise clients on restructuring of loan portfolios backed by prime properties in the Limassol district. Christos Mavrellis, Chrysses Demetriades and Chris Georghiades are recommended.

George Y Yiangou LLC frequently acts in high-end financings and is advising Sberbank of Russia on a $340m credit facility to fund the construction of three Arctic shuttle tankers for Novy Port. The team also advised a large German bank on amendments to an existing facility agreement prompted by the borrower’s restructuring. Practice head Chris Yiangou and international projects manager Lory Cirstea are the key figures.

Harneys is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional matters and recently advised Songa Group on over $2bn of financing for its drilling rigs. The team also acted for Advent International to finance the acquisition of a large stake in a consumer products business. Other clients include Deutsche Bank. Pavlos Aristodemou is ‘excellent’ and Nancy Erotocritou is another name to note.

Dr K Chrysostomides & Co LLC is ‘fully up to speed on all aspects of cross-border finance’, as well as related litigation. The ‘very experienced’ team represents various banks, including Morgan Stanley and new client Israel Discount Bank. Pavlos Symeonides has ‘a commercial way of thinking’ and Elena Ioannides is ‘knowledgeable and responsive’. Chryso Pitsilli-Dekatris and Kypros Chrysostomides are also recommended.

Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC’s team gives ‘well-balanced advice’ and has extensive experience of domestic and cross-border loan and security transactions, where it is regularly instructed by international law firms. The practice is Cypriot counsel to Silk Road, a Chinese state-owned investment fund. Lambros Soteriou and Tonia Antoniou are ‘very thorough and commercial’, and ‘knowledgeable’ associate Lorena Charalambous is also recommended.

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC’s ‘reliable team always seeks to achieve the best outcome for its client’. It has been advising a major Russian bank on an amendment of a $7bn facility agreement and is also advising a global investment bank on various issues. ‘Very efficient’ practice head Stavros Pavlou is recommended along with Lia Iordanou Theodoulou and Stella Strati, who provides ‘prompt and comprehensive advice’.

Chryssafinis & Polyviou LLC represents various financial institutions in a range of financings and refinancings. Polyvios Polyviou and Stella Kammitsi are the key figures.

Ioannides Demetriou LLC is recommended for its work on syndicated financings and other complex banking mandates. Pambos Ioannides and Christina Ioannidou are the names to note.

Mouaimis & Mouaimis LLC’s ‘solution-driven’ team has been involved in a number of major bond issues and recently acted as Cyprus counsel on some key international, bilateral and syndicated financings. The team regularly works with leading international law firms and attracts mandates from international banks, as well as groups of investors. The ‘extremely thorough’ Panayotis Mouaimis heads the practice.

The ‘really efficient’ team at AGP Law Firm | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC has vast experience of advising clients before the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and routinely advises foreign banks on large credit facilities. George Paphitis is recommended along with Angelos Paphitis, who is ‘very detail-oriented and helpful’.

Athos Demetriou Associates LLC often receives referral work from international law firms, including Allen & Overy Poland, as well as mandates direct from clients such as Safecharge. The team has been advising a financial services company on a $38m debt refinancing. Athos Demetriou is the key contact.

Clerides, Anastassiou, Neophytou LLC’s ‘experienced’ team continues to attract work from its large corporate clients, international law firms and institutional investors. It has been advising Bluehouse Capital on the Cypriot aspects of financing the acquisition of an office complex in Poland. The ‘thorough’ Effie Anastassiou heads the seven-strong practice.

Kinanis LLC Lawyers’ Limited Company recently assisted a group with obtaining a credit facility from The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Christos Kinanis is the key contact.

Stelios Americanos & Co LLC’s recent work includes advising Russian investment bank VTB Capital as lender of a $3.2bn financing. Stelios Americanos is well regarded.

Andreas Coucounis & Co LLC is skilled at advising its corporate clients on refinancing agreements with creditors overseas. Dimitria Coucouni Andreou is the name to note.

Christos Patsalides at Christos Patsalides L.L.C. provides ‘timely and practical advice’.

Costas Tsirides & Co LLC’s ‘responsive’ team includes the ‘very capable’ Alexandros Tsirides.

Koushos Korfiotis Papacharalambous LLC has an impressive roster of clients such as Citibank International. Loizos Papacharalambous is the key contact.

Michael Damianos & Co LLC regularly acts for banks and handles referrals from international law firms.

Nasos Kyriakides at Nasos A. Kyriakides & Partners LLC provides ‘quick and reliable advice’ on financing.

Papadopoulos, Lycourgos & Co LLC recently advised a group of Cypriot companies on a large debt restructuring. Doros Lycourgos is recommended.

Despo Andreou at Pyrgou Vakis Law Firm has ‘excellent knowledge of the banking sector’. Melina Pyrgou remains ‘calm at all times’.

Marios Panayiotou is the key contact at ‘progressive firm’ Tornaritis Law Firm.