The Legal 500

Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC is a dominant force in dispute resolution, with a strong domestic client portfolio that includes Bank of Cyprus, Alpha Bank and Minerva Insurance, as well as international clients. The team saw an increase in high-value shareholder disputes in 2011. Key individuals include practice head Panayiotis Neocleous, who has ‘excellent industry knowledge’; Antonis Glykis, an expert in professional indemnity and motor insurance claims; and Costas Stamatiou.

Demetris Araouzos is ‘the go-to partner for litigation’ at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office. George Christodoulou, who specialises in general commercial and civil litigation, is also recommended.

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC recently successfully represented defendants in the dismissal of various interim orders, and acted in a high-value shareholder arbitration. Practice head Stavros Pavlou is ‘exceptionally tenacious, and a lateral thinker par excellence’.

Antis Triantafyllides & Sons fields an efficient disputes practice. Name partner Antis Triantafyllides is the only Cypriot member of the ICC Court of Arbitration.

Stella Polyviou leads Chryssafinis & Polyviou LLC’s litigation department, which focuses on insurance and commercial law matters, although the firm also has strength in the banking and financial services sector.

Ioannides Demetriou LLC provides ‘first-class service in all respects’. The practice has a particularly strong reputation in arbitration, and Andrew Demetriou is an expert arbitrator. Pambos Ioannides successfully represented Ocean Tankers in an arbitration case against the Cyprus government that saw the company awarded over €8m for sums due under a supply contract.

Dr K Chrysostomides & Co LLC’s ‘timely, professional and extremely knowledgeable’ team is particularly strong in banking litigation, and recently secured an anti-suit interim injunction in favour of Société Générale. Hellenic Petroleum Cyprus, Marfin Popular Bank and Bank of Cyprus are also key clients. ‘Tireless worker’ George Mountis and Georgia Georgiou are recommended.

Nicosia office head Menelaos Kyprianou remains the driving force behind the disputes practice at Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC. The group was instructed by Bristol-Myers Squibb to act in a dispute regarding marketing authorisation and licensing of its products in Cyprus, and also by Diesel in a dispute with a former distributor. It also receives referrals from international law firms.

Papadopoulos, Lycourgos & Co LLC recently handled a number of multimillion-euro disputes, including successfully setting aside a €19.5m counterclaim against its clients. Practice head Dimitris Papadopoulos is representing a group of companies in enforcing a €1.2bn multi-jurisdictional action.

Andreas Coucounis & Co experienced an increase in debt recovery cases in 2011, and also obtained a favourable judgement in a shareholder dispute. Tasos Coucounis heads the group, which acts for Bank of Cyprus, Marfin Popular Bank and Hellenic Bank.

G. Leontiou LLC has ‘genuine litigation experience’. It is defending a Cypriot company in the Supreme Court of Cyprus, and is also acting for the same client in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in a $185m misappropriation of assets claim. Practice head and ‘excellent courtroom tactician’ Gregoris Leontiou has ‘an acute commercial brain’. ‘Exceptional’ associates Maria Makridou and George Vrikis are also recommended.

George Z. Georgiou & Associates LLC is particularly skilled in labour law disputes. A recent highlight saw the group issuing parallel breach of contract and discrimination claims against an international defendant. Name partner George Z Georgiou, a qualified arbitrator, is recommended.

Kinanis LLC’s ‘very strong and effective team’ provides ‘in-depth knowledge and invaluable advice’ in banking litigation and debt recovery matters. Clients include Marfin Popular Bank, Hellenic Bank, Société Générale and the Bank of Cyprus. Practice head Despo Andreou is recommended.

Kyriacos Th Michaelides & Co Law Office is a disputes specialist, with key areas including corporate, banking, financial services and construction cases.

L. Papaphilippou & Co’s ten-lawyer litigation team has expertise in banking, corporate, commercial, insurance and white-collar crime cases. Name partner Loukis Papaphilippou is the main contact.

Markides, Markides & Co’s small size belies its litigation capabilities. It handles civil litigation, public law matters, and has a strong IP focus. Alecos Markides is recommended.

Montanios & Montanios enjoys a strong reputation in shipping disputes. Eric Montanios is the key figure.

Papacharalambous & Angelides LLC has a strong track record in debt finance cases, having acted for clients such as Société Générale, Ellinas Finance, Laiki Cyprialife and Bank of Cyprus. The group provides ‘highly skilled services and prompt assessments’. Practice head Andreas Papacharalambous represented a Cyprus-based investment firm in a €9m appeal before the Supreme Court, while the ‘particularly good’ Loizos Papacharalambous successfully settled a personal injury case for €400,000.

A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC Law Office’s recent wins include defeating an interim order and defending a €1bn claim against its clients. The firm also successfully acted for the claimant in a $700,000 breach of contract claim.

Antonis Andreou & Co’s founding partner Antonis Andreou is ‘a skilled litigator’, and is recommended.

C.D. Messios LLC has developed a reputation in construction and property disputes, and is growing its profile in the financial services sector. Founding partner Constantinos Messios advised investors in a €15m property dispute relating to a development in receivership. Messios has ‘the necessary experience to handle anything’.

At Christodoulos G. Vassiliades & Co LLC, Christodoulos Clerides’ litigation team continues to act for the Attorney General’s office in various civil actions. It also successfully represented the interests of a shareholder in a liquidation petition against a Cyprus holding company.

Georgiades & Mylonas Advocates & Legal Consultants is notable for its personal injury and medical negligence practice. Yiannos Georgiades is ‘an extremely knowledgeable and capable litigator’, and Anastasios Mylonas is ‘a serious, in-depth legal adviser’.

Georgiades & Pelides’ litigation practice is adept in IP, debt recovery and construction claims. Nicos Georgiades is recommended.

Larnaca-based Harris Kyriakides LLC acts for entities across a number of sectors including automotive, banking, insurance, oil and construction. Michalis Kyriakides is the main contact.

‘Quality outfit’ Soteris Pittas & Co L.L.C provides ‘prompt advice on complex topics and tenaciously pursues the client’s interests’. Led by the ‘vastly experienced’ Soteris Pittas, the firm successfully obtained interim injunctions for Bank of America in a claim relating to stolen funds. Several international law firms provide a diet of referrals.

Stelios Americanos & Co has built up experience in the real estate and property sectors, and it recently acted for Russian real estate group Europark in an ownership rights dispute.

Tassos Papadopoulos & Associates is highly recommended by clients, with Marios Eliades in particular receiving praise.