New “Assumption of Responsibility for Hosting” Form for Cyprus Visa Applications
The authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus have recently updated the “Assumption of Responsibility for Hosting” form used in visa applications submitted through Cyprus embassies and consulates abroad.
Abolition of the Stamp Duty Law as of 01/01/2026
The Stamp Duty Law (Law No. 19/1963) historically constituted a mechanism for the imposition of stamp duty on a wide range of documents in Cyprus. By virtue of Law No. 239(I)/2025, the Stamp Duty Laws were abolished as of 1 January 2026, with the result that new documents executed from 2026 onwards are no longer …
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Cybersecurity Attacks and Data Breaches: Regulatory and Legal Framework in Cyprus
In the digital age, cybersecurity breaches—commonly referred to as “hacking incidents”—have become increasingly disruptive, posing significant legal, financial, and reputational risks to organizations. These incidents can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, causing harm not only to the affected companies but also to individuals whose data may be compromised. It is therefore imperative for …
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Navigating the Potential Recovery of Hong Kong’s Luxury Real Estate Market in 2026
The Hong Kong luxury real estate market has, in recent years, contended with a confluence of formidable challenges, including a protracted period of elevated interest rates, pervasive global economic uncertainties, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and shifts in local demographic patterns. As the legal community and market participants cast their gaze towards 2026, a cautious yet discernible …
Publication of the “Report on the Appropriate Framework for the Inward Direct Investment Screening System” – Proposed Amendments to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Inward Direct Investment Screening System)
Introduction On January 7, 2026, the Subcommittee on Foreign Exchange and Other Transactions of the Council on Customs, Tariff, Foreign Exchange and Other Transactions published its “Report on the Appropriate Framework for the Inward Direct Investment Screening System” (the “Report”). When the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (the “FEFTA”) was amended in 2019 (effective …
Introduction of Mandatory Nationality Reporting Requirements in Real Estate–related Transactions
Introduction Based on the instructions issued by Prime Minister Takaichi at the Meeting of Relevant Cabinet Ministers on November 4, 2025, regarding “the appropriate use and management of national land, including the framework for rules on land acquisition,”[1] public comment procedures have been initiated to amend relevant cabinet and ministerial ordinances to introduce mandatory nationality …
Board leadership and institutional stability in the UAE
Periods of regional sensitivity inevitably draw attention to risk exposure and operational continuity. In such moments, however, the most effective response is neither reactive nor speculative. It is disciplined governance.
Why supply chain visibility matters for UAE businesses
The UAE has built much of its trading strength on efficiency. Years of investment in ports and free zones have made it easier to move goods between major markets, and that reliability has helped the country become a practical base for trading and distribution.
Cyprus Cabinet Approves Draft Phone Tapping Bill: A New Security Tool or a Step Too Far?
The Cyprus Cabinet has approved a draft bill allowing law enforcement and intelligence services to intercept telephone communications under specified circumstances, with the aim of strengthening criminal investigations and tackle organised crime. Now awaiting parliamentary approval, the proposal has raised significant questions regarding the balance between national security and individual privacy, as well as its …
CAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OUTPERFORM GOLD OR LAND?
At critical stages of growth, businesses look outward for capital, to scale operations, enter new markets, strengthen infrastructure or remain competitive. In those moments, management’s attention usually turns to financial performance, tangible assets and historical revenue. Intellectual Property is increasingly recognized as a significant driver of enterprise value, although its strategic importance is not always …
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