Company formation and administration: The unit registers companies in Cyprus and foreign jurisdictions. The unit, through the firm’s specialised management service company, offers corporate management and administration services in respect of such companies. The unit is sufficiently manned by experienced lawyers, accountants and professional support staff which allows all corporate management and administration needs to be taken care of.
Leading individuals
Pavlina Constantinides:Â pavlina.constantinides@demetriades.com
Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office > Nicosia, Cyprus > Firm Profile
Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office Offices
Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office
PO BOX 28331 (GALAXIAS CENTRE)
MAKARIOS AVE & AYIAS ELENIS STREET
LEFKOSIA
Cyprus
PO BOX 28331 (GALAXIAS CENTRE)
MAKARIOS AVE & AYIAS ELENIS STREET
LEFKOSIA
Cyprus
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office > The Legal 500 Rankings
Cyprus > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Demosthenes Mavrellis and Michaela Hadjihambi co-head a large team at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office. The client base includes some of the biggest companies on the island, as well as many significant multinational groups operating in and out of Cyprus. The group is vastly experienced in handling corporate acquisitions, re-organisations and mergers, and has been kept busy advising equity funds on their investments into Cyprus. The department is also noted for having one of the largest units on the island for registering companies both in Cyprus and in other jurisdictions. Managing partner Agis Agapiou and senior consultant Chris Georghiades are key names in the practice.Practice head(s):
Demosthenes Mavrellis; Michaela Hadjihambi
Other key lawyers:
Chrysses Demetriades; Chris Georghiades; Agis Agapiou
Testimonials
‘Extremely responsive, experienced, efficient, hands on/practical approach, analytical but also able to see the bigger picture.’
‘Responsiveness to requests and quick turn around times, in particular, Michaela Hadjihambi and Chrysses Demetriades.’
‘Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office commercial and corporate practice shows great care for its clients, provides accurate replies promptly and sufficiently uses all necessary resources to provide the best possible services to its clients.’
‘Michaela Hadjihambi is an excellent lawyer, with attention to detail and business acumen.’
‘The team is very detailed and agile and is able to address the particularities of each project successfully.’
‘The individuals that we have worked with are very knowledgeable and have a business-oriented mindset that makes them able to address the particularities of each project successfully.’
‘They are always trying to understand the case, the business and circumstances before they express an opinion and they combine the legal with the business effectively.’
‘High professional standards and can accept an argument. Easy to talk to and ready to explain.’
Key clients
Amathus Public Ltd
Olympia Group
KANIKA
Nest Investments (Holdings) Ltd
NBG Pangaea (now Prodea Investments)
Eurogate Cyprus
Columbia Marlow
Muskita
Lanitis Group
TP AEOLIAN DYNAMICS LIMITED
Kitserve
Trust International Insurance Company (Cyprus) Limited
Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited
Interorient Navigation
Work highlights
- Advised Criteo S.A. in its acquisition of ad-trading platform Iponweb.
- Advised Bank of Cyprus in relation to the financing of MyMall.
- Advised Thome Group in connection with its merger with OSM Maritime Group.
Cyprus > Dispute resolution Tier 1
The team at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office is adept at advising on a broad spread of dispute resolution. Led by Demetris Araouzos, the department often acts on complex international and domestic matters, often for leading Cypriot corporations, in commercial and civil litigation, and is also recognised for its capabilities in contentious administrative matters. The group's varied workload includes advising on freezing injunctions and other interim procedures, which often relate to high-value arbitrations or foreign court proceedings, as well as enforcements and recognition of foreign arbitral awards and court decisions. In addition, the team is often instructed to act in appeals before the Supreme Court. Katia Kakoulli has extensive experience in corporate litigation, and often works with major international firms on arbitrations.Practice head(s):
Demetris Araouzos
Other key lawyers:
Katia Kakoulli; Yiannis Christodoulou; Charis Agapiou; Costas Georgiades
Testimonials
‘Always available to assist. Knowledgeable and effective in identifying and implementing solutions.’
‘Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office has a very strong dispute resolution practice that is excellent to collaborate with, efficient and precise in every part of the work.’
‘Katia Kakoulli is a very intelligent, skilled lawyer and a charming person. Yiannis Christodoulou is another stand-out partner. He possesses profound experience, an analytical mindset, and is known for his thorough and well-organised approach.’
‘Their services are of high quality and they hold a perfect track record related to dispute resolution in the field of banking law (which is an increasingly complex field in Cyprus).’
‘ In our opinion, they have the expertise to handle complex and urgent issues and they have the experience in a wide variety of claims and disputes. Charis Agapiouis is playing a pivotal role in managing, overcoming and resolving several legal issues. ’
‘I value the high level of the team and their ability to adapt to urgent matters. They understand our needs and our expectations and have a practical and effective approach. They define clear strategies with exceptional advocacy skills.’Â
‘Demetris Araouzos – I am really impressed by his excellent technical knowledge and experience in liaising with complex issues. I also appreciate his responsiveness and availability. It is extraordinarily easy to work with him.’
‘Depth knowledge of the law, responsiveness, attention to detail, people, collaboration, dynamic presence. Katia Kakoulli and Costas Georgiades are excellent professionals with in depth knowledge and attention to detail.’
Cyprus > Maritime and admiralty Tier 1
The ‘very competent’ team at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office is ‘friendly, knowledgeable and keen to help’. The practice regularly acts for some of the world's largest ship management and ship owning companies, as well as prominent banks and financial institutions. Michael McBride and Marion Madella co-head the department, which is active in ship finance matters, sale and purchase agreements, maritime insurance matters, regulatory compliance issues, vessel registrations and chartering. Senior associate Nikoleta Kleovoulou is singled out for her expertise in the space.Practice head(s):
Michael McBride; Marion Madella
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very experienced. Their advice is concise. They accurately assess the degree of legal risk in a given situation.’
‘A top law firm in Cyprus.’
‘The firm offers an all round service ranging from shipping to corporate to finance to litigation etc. and thus can assist in complex projects where the expertise from various sections of the company may be required.’Â
‘Long experience in their fields and knowledge of their clients’ business, thus enabling them to give firm advice with a commercial touch.’
‘First-class ship finance practice, with strength and depth. Marion Madella is very experienced and very knowledgeable of Cyprus law. Efficient and diligent, with no nonsense. Always reliable.’
‘Very experienced team. Nikoleta Kleovoulou is very efficient and responsive.’
‘The service received from Chrysses Demetriades is always first class; they are deeply knowledgeable about the law and practices of the shipping pegistry and offer pragmatic and commercial solutions to any given problem. Further, they are always responsive.’Â
‘Nikoleta Kleovoulou is exceptional. She is technically brilliant and is able to provide clear, concise advice on a range of complex matters.’
Work highlights
- Assisted multiple banks with all Cypriot legal aspects of a financing transaction for a EUR1,740,792,336.24 loan facility.
- Advised a bank on all Cypriot legal aspects concerning a financing transaction for a $900,000,000 loan facility.
- Assisted a bank with all Cypriot legal aspects regarding a financing transaction for EUR410,000,000 loan facilities and amendment agreements.
Cyprus > Real estate and construction Tier 1
At Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office, the real estate and construction group is included within the firm's wider corporate, commercial and M&A department. Led by Constantinos Mavrellis, the team has been involved in large-scale infrastructure, construction and real estate development projects in Cyprus. The practice has established capabilities in advising on the creation of investment holding structures, funds and joint ventures for investing in large real estate projects in international real estate markets. The client base includes large Cypriot real estate development companies and investment funds, prominent real estate investors and leading contractors. Senior associate Maria Socratous is a key name to note.Practice head(s):
Constantinos Mavrellis
Other key lawyers:
Maria Socratous; Louiza Demosthenous; Christos Mavrellis
Testimonials
‘Chrysses Demetriades & Co LLC is a large firm that manages to provide its expertise and knowledge with a boutique firm level of service and approach. We are always impressed with their level of commitment and immediacy of response.’
‘A versatile and knowledgeable team. They care for the final result.’
‘The team is always responsive and shows a good understanding of the technical issues while remaining practical and commercial throughout.’
‘Constantinos Mavrellis is a very strong technical lawyer who has great commercial acumen and remains hands on on his files giving comfort that everything has been thoroughly reviewed.’
‘Louiza Demosthenous is always responsive and attentive and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Depth knowledge of the law, responsiveness, people, collaboration.’
‘Christos Mavrellis and Constantinos Mavrellis are excellent professionals with depth knowledge of local and foreign law with great attention to detail. They all respond immediately in any request of ours with justified positions and advices. ’
‘Constantinos Mavrellis- his in depth knowledge of the sector, coupled with his no- nonsense, realistic approach has assisted us in not only successfully completing a number of complicated transactions, but doing so in a very efficient and time-saving manner.’
Key clients
Imperio Group
Pafilia
Cybarco Limited
Prodea Investments
NKS Group
Ghelamco Group
Lanitis Group
Aristo Developers
StaDemos Group
Mymall Limassol
Muskita Hotels Limited
Leptos Group
Invel Real Estate
Mediterranean Hospitality Venture Limited
Amathina Luxury Hotels Limited
AMCAP AIF V.C.I.C. PLC
TP Mediterranean Adventures Ltd
Cyprus Tourism Development Company Ltd
G.M. Latour (Alaminos) Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Prodea Investments on the acquisition of Landmark Office Tower in Nicosia in a transaction worth over €70m.
- Advising Amathina Luxury Hotels Limited on the sale of high-end exclusive condos in the Amathus Residence.
- Advising the sellers on the acquisition of Mymall Limassol, Limassol’s largest retail mall in a transaction worth more than €80m.
Cyprus > Banking and finance Tier 2
Spearheaded by Demosthenes Mavrellis, the nimble team at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office fields expertise in syndicated lending, NPL recovery and securitisation matters, as well as advising on securities issuances and funds structuring. The group frequently represents leading local banks and other financial institutions in restructuring work, acquisition financings, and debt and asset swaps. Tech sector matters have been prominent in the department's workload, with the team advising on bitcoin mining matters. Michaela Hadjihambi is singled out for her contributions.Practice head(s):
Demosthenes Mavrellis
Â
Other key lawyers:
Michaela Hadjihambi; Christos Heracleous
Testimonials
‘Experienced team with good availability, commercial approach to issues, easy to work with.’
‘We have worked with Chrysses Demetriades on multiple occasions as local counsel in Cyprus and have had a consistent work product and experience with them. CDC were able to directly and adequately address all of the queries with appropriate management of client expectations. It was a pleasure working with them.’
‘Christos Heracleous is extremely responsive, in touch with market requirements and delivers consistently excellent and practical advice.’
‘This is a real boutique firm to combine such an essential knowledge of local and international capital markets, public company laws and experience with working with top international law firms, banks and underwriters. They fit our needs like a glove and we are very pleased with the quality of work undertaken by them for us.’
‘Demosthenes Mavrellis proves to be very efficient, knowledgeable and responsive to our needs. He possesses a vast array of capital markets and corporate expertise which makes him capable of answering more or less all our queries without a need to delegate them to anybody else which is quite convenient.’
‘Demosthenes’ team are very knowledgeable and efficient and it is a pleasure of working with them as well, especially with his right hand associate, Christos Heracleous, who is just brilliant too.’
Key clients
Bank of Cyprus PLC
Morgan Stanley LLC
Goldman Sachs Intl.
Piraeus Bank S.A
Alfa Bank S.A. (Athens)
Advent International
J.P. Morgan International
The Leptos Group
Howden Broking Group
Barclays Bank PLc
Nomura Singapore
BNP Paribas
Deutsche Bank
NBG PANGAEA REIC
Steering Committee of Lenders to Interpipe
HSBC Bank
Citigroup
Work highlights
- Advised BNP Paribas S.A., Axis Bank Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, Citibank N.A. and other lenders named in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement on the reorganisation of the financing of a Cypriot group of companies, up to a total commitments of EUR375m.
- Acted for various credit institutions in connection with a $750,000,000 notes issuance.
- Acted for a consortium of banks in relation to the financing arrangements for a major mall in Cyprus.
Cyprus > Employment Tier 2
Cyprus > EU and competition Tier 2
The competition practice at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office is led by Polyvios Panayides, and the team is adept at advising on merger notification filings, data protection issues, and a broad range of antitrust matters before the CPC. The client base includes local and international corporations, and the group is noted for working with prominent international law firms on competition mandates. Shipping and ports, hospitality, real estate, insurance, energy and consumer goods are key sector strengths for the department. Associate Ioanna Kyriakidou is singled out for her contributions.Practice head(s):
Polyvios Panayides
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team of Chrysses Demetriades has great expertise, and provides thorough and informed advice.’
‘The individuals we work with have thorough knowledge.’
Work highlights
- Assisted a global provider of micro-irrigation systems with a multi-jurisdictional merger filing.
- Acted for a shipping company in an antitrust investigation by the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition, involving allegations of abuse of dominance.
Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office > Firm Profile
Chrysses Demetriades & Co. LLC is one of the leading law firms in Cyprus and enjoys a very high reputation both locally and internationally. It is classified as a top tier firm by various international journals.
It is incorporated as a Cypriot Legal Services Company with Limited Liability (DEPE) and is wholly owned by the Chrysses Demetriades & Co. Partnership that comprises of 20 partners. The firm has been in operation since founded by the late Chrysses Demetriades in 1948, however it has in its course incorporated firms such as MM Houri and PL Cacoyiannis, spanning back to 1918. It operates from its headquarters in Limassol and a fully functional office in Nicosia. The firm employs approximately 50 lawyers. It is not an exaggeration to say that the firm is in one way or the other, involved in the vast majority of major projects taking place on the island.
We have further advised public bodies such as the Water Board of Limassol and various Cypriot Municipalities on various administrative and Labour law matters as well as offering the services of our partners in bodies such as CIPA and the Board of a Public University.
Areas of practice: The three main areas in which the firm operates are generally corporate and banking, litigation and shipping.
Within this scope we offer a full range of services to the Cypriot government, large local and foreign banks and corporations and high-net-worth individuals. Recently the firm was hired by the government to help draft the Insolvency and Examinership legislation as well as the Casino Legal Framework.
We have further advised public bodies such as the Water Board of Limassol and various Cypriot municipalities on various administrative and labour law matters as well as offering the services of our partners in bodies such as CIPA and the Board of a Public University.
Corporate and commercial: The firm has a large corporate, tax and commercial department. It deals with a full range of complex company and corporate matters and provides integrated solutions for its clients, which are some of the largest public companies on the island, as well as many large multinational groups operating in or out of Cyprus. The unit provides advice and complete and integrated solutions to its entire client base (in Cyprus and abroad) on a wide range of complex corporate and commercial matters
Banking and corporate finance: Chrysses Demetriades & Co LLC has an exceptional track record in assisting clients in all aspects of finance work and guiding them through the industry’s ever-changing legal landscape. Our specialist banking lawyers are able to advise on the structuring, documentation and negotiation of all aspects of transactional work (including the taking and enforcement of security and the regulation of financial services).
The work undertaken by our banking and finance practice includes: acquisition finance, corporate restructuring and insolvency, general banking, project finance and trade finance
EU and competition: Our EU and competition team handles contentious and non-contentious competition law and EU law matters. The team includes specialised and experienced lawyers who have previously worked either as officials or have gained experience with DG Competition of the European Commission and other EU Commission DGs.
We have significant experience in dealing with all aspects of Cyprus and EU competition law across all industries and sectors including in relation to:
- Advice and advocacy in relation to investigations and hearings before the Cypriot Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) and European competition authorities on all aspects of anti-competitive behavior
- Preparing and handling merger control notifications before the CPC and the European Commission
- Preparation and handling of complaints before the CPC and the EU Commission for potential violations of EU and national Competition Law
- Appearing as advocates in proceedings before the Cypriot and EU courts against decisions of competition authorities and in actions for damages for competition violations.
- Providing advice in order to ensure effective compliance with national and European competition rules or other sectorial regulations
- Advice and assistance with state aid matters and complaints representation before the competition authorities in Cyprus (for both complainants and investigated entities)
Our EU and competition team also advises and acts in other specialist areas affected by EU law such as:
- Consumer protection and unfair commercial practices legislation through the provision of advice and defence in investigations and hearings before the Cypriot Consumer Protection Service
- Advising on EU internal market issues
- EU Russia Sanctions legislation through provision of advice and the handling of applications for licenses to the competent authorities
- Handling of infringement proceedings for violations of EU law before the European Commission for complainants or third parties
- Advocacy in proceedings before the Court of justice of the European Union including in actions for damages against the EU institutions
- Data protection through the provision of compliance advice and handling of investigations before the Cypriot Data Protection Commissioner
- European Environmental legislation such in relation to the Habitats Directive and related infringement proceedings before the EU Commission
Shipping and ship finance: Chrysses Demetriades & Co. LLC. has a long and committed presence in the shipping industry. With an experienced team of lawyers and paralegal staff, and a long-term exposure to shipping, the firm provides comprehensive legal services on shipping, in a professional, reliable and cost-effective manner. The shipping department is committed to providing high standards of legal services to the firm’s global shipping clientele. It is committed to keeping pace with the constant changes in the shipping industry, while investing in highly qualified manpower. The location of the firm’s headquarters in Limassol, Cyprus, provides the firm with easy access to the country’s main port, and to the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping (the Cyprus Flag Administration) which is based in Limassol. This enables the Shipping Department to respond promptly to emergencies, and facilitates in the completion of shipping transactions and related closings.
The firm holds a wealth of information and know-how on shipping legislation and ship registration of different countries, which proves useful when advising on cross-border transactions. The firm has been highly active in shipping since 1963, and has been involved with the drafting and revising of all of Cyprus shipping laws since then, and most recently Cyprus’ tonnage tax and piracy laws. It is often called upon to provide advice to foreign maritime authorities and professional bodies.
The ship finance section of the shipping and ship finance department of the firm represents most of the world’s largest banks, and other financial institutions, which are involved in the financing of ships, and multi-jurisdiction fleet of ships, advising them on the intricacies of finance transactions where Cyprus law, or a Cyprus flag vessel is involved. On a regular basis, it acts on behalf of a number of leading financing banks and financial institutions and major shipowners and ship managers world-wide.
Litigation and dispute resolution: Chrysses Demetriades & Co. LLC has the leading commercial litigation practice in Cyprus, representing clients involved in a wide range of complex national and international commercial disputes.
The firm has a distinguished alternative dispute resolution and international arbitration practice. In all matters, the firm’s practice is committed to providing clients with a swift and practical service that is focused on achieving our client’s objective in a cost-effective manner.
The department acts for a number of public authorities advising them on the extent of their powers and judicial review. Lawyers of the litigation department appear regularly before the Cyprus Supreme Court on behalf of applicants and respondents in judicial review actions.
Company formation and administration: The firm offers, through an affiliate, licensed by the Cyprus Bar Association, administrative and corporate services, such as company formation, secretarial, book keeping and relevant services, as well as immigration and naturalization services. The services are offered with the highest standards of compliance with the relevant legislation and international transparency standards. The unit registers companies in Cyprus and foreign jurisdictions. The unit is sufficiently manned by experienced lawyers, accountants and professional support staff which allows all corporate management and administration needs to be taken care of.
Corporate and commercial
Tier 1: Our firm has vast experience in the field of corporate acquisitions, re-organizations and mergers with a strong presence in the local market. Some of the notable projects that we have recently worked on include the deal regarding the previous privatization of the Cyprus Development Bank and the commercialisation of Limassol Port and the sale and purchase of a number of major corporations/ businesses located in Cyprus or abroad (but with a Cyprus element), including but not limited to, the sale of a interests in several hotels in Cyprus and Greece, the sale of a large property fund with assets in Cyprus, the sale of a major insurance company, the joint venture between two leading consumer electronics retailers etc. Moreover, we have advised various players in reorganization and restructurings relevant to the shipping industry, with our most noteworthy project being the successful merger of Columbia Shipmanagement Limited and Marlow Navigation Company Limited which resulted in the creation of one of the world’s largest shipmanagement companies whereby we were the legal advisors of both parties. In addition to that we have advised on the merger of Deep Sea Supply with Solstad Offshore and Farstad Shipping, becoming Solstad Farstad.
The department constantly caters to the commercial needs of our clients in tailor made day to day advice related to each client’s business. This includes drafting of contracts such as hotel management contracts, complex trading agreements, shareholder’s agreements, online trading terms and conditions, contracts for the acquisition of loan portfolios, establishment of investment structures and vehicles etc. In this part of our commercial practice we have recently advised a fund manager in setting us an investment structure in Cyprus under which it has raised in excess of €150m to invest in various real estate project in Europe. In addition, we have assisted a promising start-up company in creating the documentation required for its online trading/ marketing platform. Most recently we have advised a London based fund in connection with the acquisition of an on-shore wind farm facility in Cyprus.
In addition, the department offers a wide range of legal advice to our retained clients operating in the fields of banking, insurance, investment holdings and advisory, trading, renewable energy, and manufacturing. Such advice ranges from regulatory, compliance to industry specific legal matters.
Finally, this department would take over any legal matter that relates to the inception of a business project to its realization and would also cater to our high-net-worth individual client needs.
Leading individuals
Chris Georghiades: Chris.Georghiades@demetriades.com
Agis Agapiou: Agis.Agapiou@demetriades.com
Demosthenes Mavrellis:Â Demosthenes.Mavrellis@demetriades.com
Michaela Hadjihambi:Â Michaela.Hadjihambi@demetriades.com
Banking and finance: Our banking and finance practice has consistently been hired by the leading local bank (Bank of Cyprus) and other financial institutions to advise on restructuring (Limassol Marina Limited), acquisition finance, debt for asset swaps (Lanitis Group) and other more complex financial transactions. It has been engaged in the most high profile Cypriot restructuring transactions following the 2013 banking crisis, advising banks and very large corporates (Leptos Group).
Over the years it has been known for developing quasi security structures through the use of corporate law techniques, tailor made for client needs, where simple enforcement of share pledges and share charges would not be desirable for various considerations. This innovative structure sets the firm apart and makes it popular with clients. Such structures were especially introduced in instances where the underlying assets were Indian shares, subject to various restrictions. (Advising the lenders of Advent International plc, as financial sponsor, on India’s first synthetic INR-denominated margin loan).
Most recently we have seen great activity in the Greek debt market, signifying the re-emergence of foreign direct investment into Greece following the protracted crisis. Following successful structures where Cypriot companies were used as holding vehicles for Greek debt issuers, we are seeing more and more interest for these cross border structures and would like to focus our practice to better serve Greek banks (Piraeus, Alfa Bank) and funds (Fortress) investing in Greece.
Moreover, we have advised Morgan Stanley as underwriters to the Headhunter Group Plc, which successfully floated in Nasdaq this year.
The office has recently advised a Steering Committee of Lenders on the $1.2bn debt restructuring of the leading producer of steel pipes in Europe.
Our firm prides itself in finding solutions to complex situations, due to the in depth understanding of Cypriot and international corporate law, resulting from the collective experience of the partners, who are very driven and focused.
Leading individuals
Demosthenes Mavrellis:Â Demosthenes.Mavrellis@demetriades.com
Chrysses Demetriades:Â Chrysses.Demetriades@demetriades.com
Michaela Hadjihambi:Â Michaela.Hadjihambi@demetriades.com
Constantinos Mavrellis:Â Constantinos.Mavrellis@demetriades.com
Charis Agapiou:Â charis.agapiou@demetriades.com
Dispute resolution:Â The dispute resolution practice of Chrysses Demetriades & Co.LLC is one of the largest in Cyprus and our members represent parties in a large number of high profile and complex court and arbitration cases spanning from high value corporate and commercial litigation to criminal and regulatory investigations.
We have notable expertise in corporate and commercial disputes, often with an international dimension, where we have achieved some of the highest value judgments ever awarded by the Cypriot courts. In international disputes we regularly cooperate with leading international law firms and London based barristers. Our relevant experience covers civil fraud cases, disputes involving HNWI, obtaining and resisting freezing and disclosure orders, jurisdictional challenges and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.
We have amongst others recently been involved in several high profile civil and criminal cases relating to the Cypriot Banking crisis and in several commercial and shareholders’ disputes concerning Cypriot companies holding valuable assets. We are also regularly involved in high value divorce and family law disputes.
We also handle administrative recourses concerning, amongst others, the tax treatment of several contracting and developing companies, town planning issues, licensing and subsidizing of renewable energy projects and public procurement, as well as civil cases against public authorities with respect to compulsory acquisitions, damage caused by town planning decisions, damage caused by administrative decisions that have been successfully challenged and more.
Our firm is also continuously instructed by some of the largest Cypriot banks in debt recovery cases in particular relating to corporate high value loans.
Leading individuals
Demetris Araouzos:Â Demetris.Araouzos@demetriades.com
Katia Kakoulli:Â Katia.Kakoulli@demetriades.com
Yiannis Christodoulou:Â Yiannis.Christodoulou@demetriades.com
Thomas Christodoulou:Â Thomas.Christodoulou@demetriades.com
Polyvios Panayides:Â Polyvios.Panayides@demetriades.com
Charis Agapiou:Â charis.agapiou@demetriades.com
EU and competition: Our EU and competition team has significant experience in handling contentious and non-contentious competition law and EU law matters. The team includes specialised and experienced lawyers who have previously worked either as officials or have gained experience with DG Competition of the European Commission and other EU Commission DGs.
Most notably we have experience in dealing with all aspects of Cyprus and EU competition law across all industries and sectors including in relation to:
- Advice and advocacy in relation to investigations and hearings before the Cypriot Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) and European competition authorities on all aspects of anti-competitive behavior
- Preparing and handling merger control notifications before the CPC and the European Commission
- Preparation and handling of complaints before the CPC and the EU Commission for potential violations of EU and national competition law
- Appearing as advocates in proceedings before the Cypriot and EU courts against decisions of competition authorities and in actions for damages for competition violations.
- Advice and assistance with state aid matters and complaints representation before the competition authorities in Cyprus (for both complainants and investigated entities)
Our EU and competition team also advises and acts in other specialist areas affected by EU law such as:
- Consumer protection and unfair commercial practices legislation
- Advising on EU Internal market issues
- EU Russia Sanctions legislation
- Handling of Infringement Proceedings for violations of EU law before the European Commission
- Data Protection through the provision of compliance advice and handling of investigations before the Cypriot Data Protection Commissioner
- European Environmental legislation
Leading individuals
Polyvios Panayides:Â Polyvios.Panayides@demetriades.com
Shipping and ship finance: Our clientele comprises of some of the world’s largest ship owning and ship management companies, advising them on a wide range of issues. The firm currently represents ship owners who control, approximately, 60% of the Cyprus merchant fleet.
It also represents most of the world’s largest banks, and other financial institutions, which are involved in the financing of ships, and multi-jurisdiction fleet of ships, advising them on the intricacies of finance transactions where Cyprus law, or a Cyprus flag vessel is involved.
Leading individuals
Michael McBride:Â michael.mcbride@demetriades.com
Marion Madella:Â marion.madella@demetriades.com
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Partner | Chris Georghiades | Chris.Georghiades@demetriades.com | |
| Senior Partner Corporate | Agapios Agapiou | Agis.Agapiou@demetriades.com | |
| Senior Partner Shipping | Michael McBride | michael.mcbride@demetriades.com | |
| Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Demetris Araouzos | Demetris.Araouzos@demetriades.com | |
| Company Formation & Administration | Pavlina Constantinides | pavlina.constantinides@demetriades.com | |
| Corporate & Commercial | Demosthenes Mavrellis | Demosthenes.Mavrellis@demetriades.com |
Languages
Greek English Russian- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Maritime and admiralty
- Real estate and construction
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance
- Employment
- EU and competition