The Legal 500

‘Particularly suited to international work’, Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC often collaborates with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, Clifford Chance and Sidley Austin LLP on cross-border deals. It recently advised amazon.com on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of the Book Depository International, and Harvard Management on a proposed joint venture in the dry bulk shipping sector. Recommended individuals include practice head Elias Neocleous, who is ‘a practical problem-solver’; Andreas Neocleous, ‘a wise man with decades of experience’; the ‘highly skilled’ Kyriacos Georgiades; Olga Mikhailova, who is ‘rational in her applications’; and Panos Labropoulos, for his ‘exceptional ability’.

Antis Triantafyllides & Sons has an excellent reputation for domestic and international corporate work. Stelios Triantafyllides is highly regarded.

Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office advises local and domestic clients on IPOs, secondary offerings, cross-border mergers, corporate restructurings and joint ventures, as well as distribution agreements and other commercial matters. Christos Mavrellis leads the seven-partner team.

Aristodemou Loizides Yiolitis LLC’s corporate team is ‘extremely responsive, very hardworking and client oriented’. Nancy Erotocritou, recently promoted to partner, acted in the cross-border merger of ITR Investment Partners and Sonda Spolka Akcyin. Erotocritou is recommended, as are ‘visionary strategist’ Pavlos Aristodemou and practice head Demetris Loizides.

Chryssafinis & Polyviou LLC is well versed in domestic and international corporate work, and handles matters ranging from company incorporation and registration to administration and day-to-day support. Stella Kammitsi heads the group.

Ioannides Demetriou LLC provides comprehensive corporate and commercial advice to domestic and international clients, a service that is ‘impressive in all respects’. The firm represents Hermes Airports, and was recently selected to act as legal adviser to Cyprus’ Department of Energy to negotiate and conclude the first contract between the government and a US oil group for offshore exploration and drilling. Name partner Pambos Ioannides is ‘one of the best corporate lawyers’ in Cyprus.

Dr K Chrysostomides & Co LLC fields a ‘well-established’ team that provides ‘a timely, professional service’. Practice head Chryso Pitsilli-Dekatris advised EMED Mining on its $32.5m IPO, which closed in Canada with a concurrent UK private placement.

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC’s corporate team ‘targets the problem with a fresh mind and comes up with workable, efficient solutions’. It is adept in cross-border work and has a strong following in Russia and other CIS countries. It recently advised a Chinese multinational in setting up a corporate structure to acquire several photovoltaic power plants. Stavros Pavlou and Lia Iordanou Theodoulou are recommended.

Andreas Coucounis & Co demonstrates ‘good understanding of clients’ objectives’. The ‘knowledgeable and efficient’ Dimitria Coucouni-Andreou acted for the sellers in the divestment of a substantial share in the Maybourne Hotel Group. Tasos Coucounis is also recommended.

Christodoulos G. Vassiliades & Co LLC has the ‘ability to get to the core of the matter without wasting time on marginal issues’. Practice head Christodoulos Vassiliades is the ‘driving force’ of the corporate team, and is ably supported by the ‘keenly knowledgeable’ Louisa Massonidou.

Clerides, Anastassiou, Neophytou LLC provides ‘appropriate and skilful’ advice and an ‘extremely good level of service’. It is advising Adama Holding during its takeover by the Immofinanz Group. Practice head Effie Anastasiou is ‘very thorough and provides accurate legal advice’.

George Y Yiangou & Co acted as local counsel on a multimillion-dollar joint venture, and undertook complex due diligence pertaining to an acquisition of a majority stake in a Cypriot company. The ‘always responsive’ Chris Yiangou and the ‘proactive’ Lory Cirstea are recommended.

Georgiades & Pelides’ corporate practice has clients spanning the banking, financial, telecoms and insurance sectors, among which is the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm is also particularly strong in IPO and other capital markets matters. Marcos Georgiades is recommended.

Kinanis LLC’s corporate group remains busy with instructions ranging from joint venture and share acquisitions to group restructurings, and is frequently instructed by international firms to act as local counsel. Christos Kinanis has ‘deep knowledge’, and gives ‘appropriate and well-balanced advice’. Natalie Petrides and Andri Michael are also recommended.

L. Papaphilippou & Co’s remit covers company formations and reorganisations, corporate governance, capital raising and public tenders. Clients include the Swatch Group and Johnson & Johnson. Leandros Papaphilippou is the main contact.

Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC was instructed by OCM Capital Markets to draft all terms and conditions for the company’s online trading website, and to advise it on employee stock-option agreements. Lambros Soteriou is recommended for his ‘top-quality expertise and broad knowledge of corporate law’.

Mouaimis & Mouaimis Advocates has a strong corporate focus, and is praised for its ‘level of personal service’ and ‘comprehensive advice, which often anticipates unforeseen issues’. The team recently advised on a global depositary receipts issuance. Practice head Panayotis Mouaimis is ‘an excellent attorney’.

Pamboridis LLC recently acted as Cyprus counsel to the issuer both on the securitisation of a NOK125m bond issue and on group restructuring. It also advised a grain producer on its €85m sale. George Pamboridis and Yiota Kythreotou-Theodorou are recommended.

Doros Lycourgos heads the corporate practice at Papadopoulos, Lycourgos & Co LLC, which acted for a Russian media group on a €24m acquisition and is advising a Russian gas supplier on the $3bn restructuring of a group of companies.

Stelios Americanos & Co regularly handles cross-border joint ventures and M&A, and provides ‘reliable, accurate advice’. It recently represented Immofinanz Group on the acquisition of Adama Holding. Stelios Americanos is highly recommended.

At Antonis Paschalides & Co, team head Carlos Paschalides is singled out for his ‘outstanding legal training and experience’. He recently advised Future B on establishing a €296m energy production project. Other clients include Immofinanz Group and Bioland Holdings.

Boutique firm Apostolou & Co. LLC advises international clients on local corporate issues. George Apostolou is recommended.

C.D. Messios LLC’s Constantinos Messios shows ‘personal character and strength of knowledge in the field’. He leads a team that is ‘continually growing in experience and ability’.

Harris Kyriakides LLC represents clients from the travel, technology, pharmaceuticals, energy and financial services sectors. The team, led by the highly recommended Michalis Kyriakides, recently advised on several M&A transactions for CIS-based companies.

Scordis, Papapetrou & Co LLC recently absorbed Adamos K Adamides & Co, giving the firm a Limassol presence in addition to its existing office in Nicosia. The firm has a solid international client base with strong links to Russia and other CIS countries.