Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC > Limassol, Cyprus > Firm Profile

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC
PATRICIAN CHAMBERS
332 AGIOU ANDREOU STR.
3035 LIMASSOL
Cyprus

Cyprus > Banking and finance Tier 1

The team at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC ‘consistently delivers pragmatic, on point, commercial and responsive support’; it is frequently involved in local and international loan restructurings, financing projects and handles multi-jurisdictional corporate finance work. Clients include major banking and financial institutions, international law firms and in-house counsel of large groups of companies. Names to note include Lia Iordanou Theodoulou who ‘can be safely relied on to get the project across the finish line on time’. The ‘enormously respectedStavros Pavlou is also well-regarded, along with the ‘commercially focused and technically brilliant’ Stella Strati . Other core areas of expertise include advising on virtual currencies and crypto-assets as well as various regulatory matters. The team is lauded for its ‘hands on approach and practical advice’.

Practice head(s):

Stavros Pavlou; Lia Iordanou Theodoulou

Other key lawyers:

Stella Strati; Angeliki Epaminonda; Angelos Onisiforou

Testimonials

‘PPA is a highly skilled team of excellent lawyers. PPA lawyers demonstrate exceptionally client-oriented approach. For us, most important is availability and speed. Partners are available for matters that are important for us, even though the question might be not very complex’.

‘Client focused and available. Excellent team work, High level of professionalism and customisation, Stella Strati (Partner) – very competent and fully involved to any tasks (initiated by our firm), extremely professional in her area’.

‘Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is a law firm comprised of high level professionals. The legal advisors are exceptional with excellent service’.

‘Angeliki Epaminonda, Partner and Angelos Onisiforou, Senior Associate stand out due to the high level of professionalism and in-depth knowledge of the banking sector and industry. Both individuals are committed to providing excellent service to their clients and are knowledgeable’.

‘The firm is advising us on ISDA and related agreements. We consider the firm the best in Cyprus in this area of law. Angeliki Epaminonda, Angelos Onisiforou’.

‘The team consists of great professionals who can quickly handle even the most complex tasks. The team is very responsive and highly appreciated by clients. Lia Iordanou is impressive: very organised and quick’.

‘Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is our preferred “go to” firm in Cyprus and we also see them regularly called upon by leading financial institutions and the global elite law firms (including US, UK and Europe headquartered law firms) when their clients need market leading Cypriot law support’.

‘We consider Patrikios Pavlou to be at the very top of the legal market in Cyprus and they enjoy the necessary depth of resources to timely deliver sophisticated cross-border projects. Patrikios Pavlou is a clear market front-runner in the Cyprus legal market and brings extensive experience and unparalleled market knowledge to bear on the complex cross-border transactions’.

Key clients

Baker Botts

Securities Lending Association

International Capital Markets Association

Freshfields

Deutsche Bank AG

Eurobank

Norton Rose Fulbright

Citibank Europe Plc

Linklaters

Work highlights

  • Engaged to handle the possible sale of the shares held by a Cyprus public group company, with assets and secured obligations valued over $200m and with the borrower group companies located in several jurisdictions, to prospective purchasers and to provide specialised advice on complicated legal issues, including the EU restrictive measures (sanctions) relating to the transaction.
  • Advised a foreign bank on the possibility of enforcing security held by it over shares of Cyprus companies following a default of a $80m facility.
  • Acted as the Cypriot legal advisors of a licensed international investment banking and advisory firm based in London and produced a detailed legal memo covering extensive analysis on the enforceability of Industry Standard Documents.

Cyprus > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Headed byStavros Pavlou and Lia Iordanou Theodoulou  the agile team at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is recognised for its skill at handling important cross-border M&A. It also excels in advising on complex restructurings and re-domiciliations, both in and out of Cyprus, in addition to trust formations, company liquidations, IP matters and complex governance issues. The firm has significant sector expertise in areas such as real estate and retail, as well as pharmaceuticals and telecommunications. The group enjoys a steady workflow too from some major international law firms. Stella Strati  is another key member of the group who advises local and international companies on a variety of cross-border deals and security issues. Angeliki Epaminonda  has considerable experience in matters such as corporate governance and corporate restructuring, as well as on multi-jurisdictional deals.

Practice head(s):

Stavros Pavlou; Lia Iordanou Theodoulou

Other key lawyers:

Stella Strati; Angeliki Epaminonda

Testimonials

‘Brilliant team, who are capable of dealing with any aspect of law’.

‘Stella Strati is very knowledgeable and quick to respond. She understands the client’s needs perfectly and it is always a pleasure to work with her’.

‘The fastest and most impeccable law firm of Cyprus. Always above any expectations. Angeliki Epaminonda makes the difference. Very diligent and helpful’.

‘The core strengths of the team are deep understanding of corporate and banking laws, pragmatic approach to commercial issues and strong litigation capabilities. I deem Patrikios Pavlou to be one of two or three best law firms in Cyprus’.

‘Stavros Pavlou – combines strong corporate and commercial law expertise with an excellent litigation capability. I regard Stavros as one of the leading authorities on Cypriot company law’.

‘Lia Iordanou – one of the most experienced corporate and banking law practitioners in Cyprus. Extremely responsive and proactive on transactions.’

‘Very efficient, comfortable and professional cooperation. Highest level of support and qualification. Absolutely recommended to everyone’.

‘The perfect combination of the local knowledge and experience with international legal and professional standards. They are international lawyers who support you in international matters, being located in Cyprus’.

Key clients

Deutsche Bank AG

Baker Botts LLP

HNWIs

Latham & Watkins LLP

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

HT&P Law Firm

LSR Group

Work highlights

  • Advising a Cyprus Alternative Investment Fund, with an investment portfolio of assets worth approximately $400bn on various corporate law matters.
  • Engaged by a long-standing financial institution client based abroad, to provide advice and assistance in the sale of the assets, worth over $1.5bn, of its subsidiary companies to third party purchasers.
  • Providing structuring advice on the appointment of a Cyprus company as the trustee to a Jersey law trust and advising on all relative matters including applicable laws, procedures, powers and duties of appointment, regulatory and tax aspects.

Cyprus > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC fields a ‘very efficient and responsive’ team. Team heads are Stavros Pavlou, who is described as a ‘true master of strategic thinking’, and the ‘enormously experienced’, Chrysostomos Nicolaou . Clients come from various industry sectors and include public and private companies, multinational corporations, banks, financial institutions and entrepreneurs, as well as a host of individual clients from Cyprus and abroad. The team is adept at handing all forms of dispute resolution, including the arbitration and mediation of domestic and international disputes, and is home to Stella Louka Pavlou who excels in banking litigation. Eleana Christofi  has a broad range of expertise including advising on injunctive relief measures and shareholder disputes.  The team is also praised for its ‘amazing attention to detail’. Theodoros Symeonides is now a judge.

Practice head(s):

Stavros Pavlou; Chrysostomos Nicolaou

Other key lawyers:

Eleana Christofi; Stella Louka Pavlou

Testimonials

‘We would like to point out that the personal contribution/engagement of Mrs Stella Louka Pavlou is playing an essential role in managing overcoming and resolving numerous legal issues. Her more than 20 years’ experience and dedication but also the firm’s continuous support make it different from competitors’.

‘Stavros Pavlou definitely – one of the best litigators in the trade and probably the best in Cyprus. Quick reaction, always ready for new approaches to the problems, excellent legal skills and knowledge, extremely high moral principles’.

‘Chrysostomos Nicolaou – extremely experienced, efficient and knowledgeable litigator. Perfect in all the details and peculiarities of Cypriot judicial system. Also, of extremely high moral standards‘.

‘Stavros Pavlou is peerless and the best litigator on the island. He is top dog – book him before the other side get to him’.

‘Stavros Pavlou heads one of the leading firms in Cyprus and enjoys an immense reputation as a leading litigator in that region. Stavros is a lawyer of immense talent and expertise and is a renowned litigator at the very centre of Cypriot international litigation.’

‘We worked with Eleana Christofi, she seems to be extremely professional, always reply back on e-mail very quickly and was available for all additional questions that we had’.

‘The team has a unique combination of business knowledge, legal expertise, common sense and practical problem-solving skills, which are of paramount importance in dispute resolution’.

‘Stavros Pavlou is the ideal arbitrator; shrewd, knowledgeable, practical and efficient, irrespective of the amounts at stake’.

Key clients

Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd

Alpha Bank Greece

Bank of Cyprus PLC

Several HNWI

Several companies undergoing liquidations

Grant Thornton UK LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP

Lalive Law

Aksela

Eterna Law

Beogradska Banka D.D.

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP

Work highlights

  • Representing a minority shareholder, seeking remedies and damages for the losses suffered by the company, in a derivative action against inter alia the majority shareholders, who conspired to defraud the company along with the investors of the project involving the construction and sale of a large shopping mall in Romania.
  • Representing the defendants, which include a leading international financial institution, in a $160m litigation relating to the alleged fraudulent way of enforcing securities (pledge agreements).
  • Representing a foreign citizen and a Cypriot company in a EUR45m dispute regarding the mandatory buyout of minority shareholders of one of the world’s largest producers of potash.

Cyprus > Tax Tier 1

Under the joint direction of Stavros Pavlou and Stella Strati , the experienced team at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is skilled at handling a broad range of tax disputes and at advising on setting up efficient tax planning structures. It has been busy advising on various cross-border transactions and is recommended for its work with international entities, large groups of companies and wealthy individuals on a broad range of issues. The group is adept at advising on the restructuring of shareholding structures and the execution of multi-million-pound financing transactions in complicated loan restructurings. Pavlou is also sought after for his work with entrepreneurs on tax planning matters and on the implementation of succession planning issues for their businesses and private estates, which often span multiple jurisdictions. Strati is particularly highly-regarded for her tax advice on M&A, corporate restructurings and reorganisations.

Practice head(s):

Stavros Pavlou; Stella Strati

Other key lawyers:

Angelos Onisiforou

Testimonials

‘Its specialisation and its respective success in achieving results, is the reason they are unique.’

‘The MD, Stavros Pavlou, has an incredible mind. His way of thinking and making connections contributes to the firm’s success’.

‘We have also worked closely with Angelos Onisiforou (Senior Associate) whom we have found to be an exceptionally hardworking individual, and who will work all hours of the day and night to review common law, legislation and bring this output to the team to decide on strategy. Angelos is a key addition to any team’.

‘Excellent knowledge of Cyprus and international tax matters. Stavros Pavlou’.

‘The thing that makes their team different from the others is their dedication to specific tasks and their motivation to do well on delivering the jobs. However, what makes them unique, is the years of experience in this field of work’.

‘What it makes them to be different from their competitors is their transparency in billing (Partners vs Associates) and their billing agreed with them complies the industries’ standards. The team dealing with are very professional and diversified to answer and satisfy different sectors responding back on agreed timeframes’.

Key clients

Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd

Iason Skouzos & Partners

Yiallourides & Partners

Chelco VAT Ltd

Work highlights

  • Implementing a scheme of arrangement for the local merger of two Cypriot companies in order to optimise the structure of the group and advising on various matters relating thereto including tax implications.
  • Advising the Cyprus holding company of an investment management firm based in London, on a number of tax law matters.
  • Advised a leading Cyprus company that operates in the online gaming industry in relation to the VAT treatment of penalty and early termination clauses.

Cyprus > Real estate and construction Tier 2

The ‘very efficient’ team at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC provides the ‘highest level of support’ and is ably co-led by Stavros Pavlou and Stella Strati . It is well-placed to provide the full range of real estate services from more simple property sale/lease contracts to the setting of Cyprus international trust structures with real estate assets and the handling of property litigation. The group is also recommended for its work in other areas, such as advising on agreements for real estate developments and handling debt to asset swaps.

Practice head(s):

Stavros Pavlou; Stella Strati

Other key lawyers:

Stylianos Trillides

Testimonials

‘The Team of Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC consists of gifted and creative consultants who consistently deliver high quality services. Their energy and enthusiasm for services is endless and they always ensure a solution focus and expertly designed outcome. The team is reliable, flexible and a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend them’.

‘Mr. Stylianos Trilides has represented our company in a wide variety of legal matters and he consistently stayed ahead of the ever changing legal landscape. I would highly recommend Mr. Trillides as an excellent attorney and zealous yet practical advocate a modern business requires’.

‘One of the most well-known firms in Cyprus with great history and great people. Their real estate, litigation and corporate practice are their most well known and are very capable in handling any engagements’.

‘Stylianos Trillides a senior associate in the firm, is my closest contact in the firm. Stylianos Trillides is definitely a rising star in the firm dealing with issues of real estate related transactions and banking and finance matters, an all-round superb lawyer’.

‘Very efficient, comfortable and professional cooperation. Highest level of support and qualification. Absolutely recommended to everyone’.

‘The perfect combination of the local knowledge and experience with international legal and professional standards. They are international lawyers, who support you in international matters, being located in Cyprus’.

‘The people are very helpful and always willing to listen and find solution in all matters related with the work and the various aspects of our business development’.

‘The persons who are working with us are always in good mood and willing to discuss and help even in aspects which are not in their field of expertise. They are always in line whenever we need them and they always do their best to keep us happy and satisfy’.

Key clients

Alpha Bank (Cyprus) Ltd

Private clients

Local and foreign investors

Local and foreign construction companies

Work highlights

  • Advising its client in the purchase of several properties, amounting to over EUR4m from a real estate developer in various construction projects and handling multiple claims on behalf of its client against the developer.
  • Handling the sale of a EUR2m property located on the Limassol beachfront to international investors and advising on the challenges faced due to the EU sanctions imposed.
  • Advising international investors on their second project in Cyprus relating to the construction and development of properties and advising in relation to applicable regulations and legislation relating to the operation of short-term lettings.

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is a leading, highly recommended and multi-awarded law firm based in Cyprus. With more than 60 years of experience in the local and international legal market, the firm is renowned for its involvement in some of the largest cross-border transactions and complex litigation and arbitration matters and for its exceptional client service in Cyprus and abroad.

Located in Limassol, one of the most attractive international business centres and rapidly developing cities in Europe, the firm is committed to providing its clients with top professional legal services, covering the full range of their business activities. A team of over 30 qualified professional associates and legal consultants advise multinational corporations, banks, financial institutions and HNWIs on their high-profile and complex matters in multiple practice areas:

  • Dispute resolution & ADR
  • Corporate, commercial and M&A
  • Banking and finance
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Capital markets
  • International tax planning
  • Real estate, trusts and asset protection
  • Ship registration and ship finance

Through a multi-disciplinary approach in delivering our services, together with our dedication to cross-border work, and our ongoing commitment to building long-lasting relationships, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC has managed to establish a strong presence in the international legal market.   The firm’s international profile comprises of strong alliances with reputable worldwide law firms, particularly in Europe, Asia, USA, Russia and the rest of the CIS countries, as well as membership of various professional organisations globally, enhancing further the team’s ability to swiftly and efficiently respond to its clients’ ever-changing requests.

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC offers comprehensive corporate services through Pagecorp Group, a group of companies associated through common ownership. With almost 30 years’ experience, the Group comprises of lawyers, legal consultants, company administrators, accountants and secretarial staff, who advise major organizations, start-ups and entrepreneurs on International Tax Planning, Cyprus International Trusts, Foreign Investment and Citizenship, and Accounting and Financial reporting, in order to establish their business in a low tax, transparent and regulated environment.

Since 1963, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC has been acting for leading organizations and individuals with persistent commitment to excellence. Our determination is reinforced through our extended partnerships with companies around the globe that share the same philosophy, culture and values: invest for the future. We are confident that through strong belief in our core values and responsible actions, we will continue to provide top quality legal services with diligence, integrity and professionalism.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Dispute Resolution and ADR, Corporate, Commercial and M&A, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, International Tax Planning, Real estate, Trusts and Asset Protection Stavros Pavlouspavlou@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Dispute resolution and ADR Chrysostomos Nicolaoucnicolaou@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Dispute resolution and ADR, Banking Litigation, Matrimonial & Family Law Stella Louka Pavlouslpavlou@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Corporate, Commercial and M&A, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets,Restructuring & Insolvency, Ship & Aircraft Finance Lia Iordanou Theodoulouliordanou@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Administrative & Constitutional, Matrimonial & Family Law Ioanna Stavrouliaistavroulia@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Corporate, Commercial and M&A, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets Restructuring & Insolvency, Real Estate, Trusts & Asset Protection, International Tax Planning, Corporate Management Services Stella Stratistella.strati@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Dispute Resolution & ADR, Corporate Litigation Eleana Christofiechristofi@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Corporate, Commercial and M&A, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Restructuring & Insolvency, Angeliki Epaminondaaepaminonda@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
Dispute Resolution Katerina Philippidoukphilippidou@pavlaw.com+357 25 871599
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Eleana Christofi photoMiss Eleana ChristofiEleana Christofi is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution Department of the…
Angeliki Epaminonda photoMiss Angeliki EpaminondaPartner
Lia Iordanou Theodoulou photoMrs Lia Iordanou TheodoulouLia Iordanou Theodoulou is the Partner-Head of Corporate Finance of the firm.…
Chrysostomos Nicolaou photoMr Chrysostomos NicolaouChrysostomos Nicolaou is the Partner – Head of Litigation Department of the…
Angelos Onisiforou photoMr Angelos OnisiforouPartner
Nasia Papakonstantinou photoMrs Nasia PapakonstantinouSenior Associate
Patrikios Pavlou photoMr Patrikios PavlouPatrikios Pavlou is the Senior Internal Consultant of the firm. His areas…
Stavros Pavlou photoMr Stavros PavlouStavros Pavlou is the Senior & Managing Partner of the firm. His…
Katerina Philippidou photoMrs Katerina PhilippidouPartner | Dispute Resolution
Ioanna Stavroulia photoMrs Ioanna StavrouliaIoanna Stavroulia is a Partner in the Litigation department. Her practice areas…
Stella Strati photoMrs Stella StratiStella Strati is a Partner in the Corporate Finance department of the…
Stylianos Trillides photoMr Stylianos TrillidesPartner
Number of lawyers : 30
English
French
Georgian
German
Greek
Italian
Russian
Slovak
Cyprus Bar Association
International Bar Association
Cyprus-Russian Business Association
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Russian Arbitration Association
International Tax Planning Association
Association of International Tax Consultants
International Law Association
LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration)
International Council for Commercial Arbitration
Mr : Stavros Pavlou

Dispute Resolution & ADR

  • Extensively advising and representing a well-known private investment group of companies in Russia, involved in the development of real estate and finance assets, in a dispute between the group of companies and a Russian commercial bank, claiming damages in the amount of EUR 600 million.
  • Representing a high-net worth individual based in Scotland in a cross-border dispute arising out of a joint venture for the exploitation of immovable property value of EUR 20 million in the Russian Federation.
  • Representing a Russian government-owned development bank in a litigation initiated in Cyprus against the bank and third parties for the amount of USD 119 million on the basis of alleged breaches of contractual obligations by third parties.

Corporate Law, Commercial Law, and M&A:

  • Advising a leading real-estate company of China, in relation to the acquisition of a large investment group operating in the Russian commercial real-estate market, owing properties of more than USD 4 billion.
  • Provided legal advice on the re-structuring of the shareholding of a group of companies, in preparation for its acquisition by a Strategic Investor, and the setting up of special purpose vehicles under Belize law and Cyprus law for the purposes of the acquisition amounting EUR 110 million.
  • Advising and assisting, along with a major Russian bank, a private equity investments international group, with headquarters in China, managing assets of more than EUR 1.5 million, with the establishment of an international investment group and with setting up of a Cyprus company to act as the investment manager to a fund to facilitate investments in Asia.

Banking & Finance, Capital Markets:

  • Advising a multinational investment and financial services provider on a new margin loan to a Cyprus borrower in the amount of USD 800 million secured inter alia by a pledge of shares of a foreign jurisdiction public listed company.
  • Acted as the advisors of a major Russian bank, in relation to a facility of more than USD 320 million provided by the bank to an Austrian energy company trading in oil and oil-related products within the EU market.
  • Advising an Asian development bank, proposing to provide a reputable supplier of quality fuel with a direct loan in the amount of up to USD 4.1 million.

International Tax Planning:

  • Advising a trustee of a Bermudan trust in relation to the re-domiciliation of the trustee and subsequently of the trust in the Republic of Cyprus for the purposes of taking advantage of the Cyprus International Trusts Law and the applicable tax regime. 
  • Providing specific tax and corporate advice to a Cyprus start-up company, in relation to the optimization of its corporate structure and the establishment of its business in the field of fiscal representation; the projects involves one of the world’s largest online marketplaces and services provider and multi-jurisdictional tax aspects within the EU.
  • Providing corporate and tax advice in relation to the cross-border re-organization of one of the largest insurance companies in the world, involving Cyprus entities and entities from five other European and international jurisdictions.

Real Estate, Trusts & Asset Protection:

  • Advising one of the leading property developers in the Eastern Mediterranean on the development, planning and licencing on their landmark projects, considered to be among the largest private real estate investment opportunities in Cyprus.
  • Advising one of the major banking institutions of Cyprus, in relation to all loan restructurings performed by them pursuant to an amendment of the Cyprus tax legislation, according to which certain loan restructurings are temporarily exempt from tax, where such restructurings include the transfer of immovable property to the creditor/financial institution in exchange for the repayment of debt.
  • Advising a number of high-net-worth individuals from Russia, Asia and other non-EU countries on the purchase of premium commercial and residential properties, which qualify for the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Programme.


For us, at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC, being responsible towards all stakeholders has always been a high priority and an essential corporate determinant for value creation. The firm has a long and deeply rooted tradition of being an active advocate of ethical, honest and responsible practices towards the community with whom it interacts. We are committed in providing top level legal services with the utmost ethical standards, acknowledging that our activities and actions reflect on our society and the environment in which we operate.

As one of the leading law firms in Cyprus, we are active promoters and supporters of local economic growth by:

  • applying environmental-friendly practices and minimizing our ecological impact, through recycling, using renewable energy sources and reusable materials, and investing to ‘greener’ supply chains;
  • protecting the rights and safety of our employees and respecting internationally declared human rights and employing local and foreign workers, considering, at the same time, diversity as a strength.  We value all perspectives, creative ideas and connections that arise from bringing people with different backgrounds together and we place value on such differences to further add to the strength of our legal and professional support team;
  • raising money for local charities and non-profit organizations and sponsoring local events; our donations have increased substantially and we seek to provide assistance to those who are in need;
  • implementing ethical marketing that respects our clients without eventual manipulations or false advertisement.

With more than 55 years’ experience, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC knows how to be viable in the long-run and the importance of responsible actions.  Our socially responsible belief is only reinforced through our extended partnerships with companies around the globe that share the same philosophy, culture and values: invest for the future. We aim to achieve the same levels of expertise in the cases in which our lawyers are involved and in community work, as in further growing our portfolio of clients and associates. We are confident that through our strong belief in our core values and responsible actions, we will continue to provide top quality legal services with diligence, integrity and professionalism.

Stavros Pavlou, Senior and Managing Partner

Stavros Pavlou, Senior and Managing Partner of Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC discusses the law firm’s services and shares his views and experiences with clients.

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC from your competitors?

For more than 55 years, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC has been has been acting for leading organizations and individuals with persistent commitment to excellence. Since 1963, our firm has been focusing on value creation for our clients and operating with the same core principles: the development of the team’s expertise and the provision of high quality services with respect, integrity and professionalism. A team of over 30 qualified and talented professional associates and legal consultants advise multinational corporations, banks, financial institutions and HNWIs on their high-profile and complex matters, attentively listening to their requests and allowing them to see solutions they didn’t think were possible. The law firm evolved to be a multi-awarded and highly respected law firm in Cyprus also due to the in depth knowledge of its strengths, the confidence in taking large projects and the ability to plan, learn, coordinate and persevere. We aim to further grow our portfolio of clients and associates, expand our international profile and our long-standing client base and strengthen our prominent relationships with respectable international law firms and associations.

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is located in Limassol, Cyprus, one of the most attractive international business centres and rapidly growing economies in the EU, with a remarkable 3.8% GDP growth rate (Q4 2018). The Cypriot government undertook a set of measures which aim in attracting and protecting investors’ interests and therefore, the real estate, banking, construction, financial services, company registrations and immigration sectors are currently experiencing important growth. As a result, our firm receives continuous requests with regards to matters involving corporate restructurings, banking transactions and litigation, dispute resolution through arbitration, legal assistance on citizenship by investment programmes, property contracts and negotiations, and company formations.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

Continuous training, practice specialization, reorganisation and constant updating, selection and development of our IT systems, aim in advancing our reliability, productivity and responsiveness for optimum performance results. By securing an additional 660m² of office space, which aimed in accommodating the rising client requests in the banking, finance and corporate departments, the working environment and operational efficiency improved enormously. Additionally, the firm invests continuously in the training of its key professionals through courses, conferences and seminars, while I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and also the Honorary Secretary of the CIArb Cyprus Branch. This year, internal restructurings included the promotion of a Senior Associate to Partner, the promotion of 2 Advocates into Senior Associates and the additional recruitment of administrative and supportive staff to further improve our client service. Furthermore, the affiliated Pagecorp Group also undertook internal restructurings including a new General Manager and Data Protection Officer, to guarantee a strong presence in the Cyprus corporate services sector.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Absolutely! As a firm we believe that it is extremely important to keep pace with the latest technological developments in order to run our operations more effectively and efficiently, improve our services and clearly and precisely communicate with our clients. Our everyday activities involve the use of a wealth of legal information and databases aiming in the increase of accuracy, swift communication with clients and secure promotion of our services on our website and on social media, always conforming to the EU Data Protection Laws. Our experienced in-house IT team handles all of our online and offline technological operations, and mobile technology allows our teams to be in secure contact with clients even when out of office. Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC therefore, embraces the use of technology for the highest productivity and responsiveness, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and high quality of professional services.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

We consistently provide legal advice and offer transaction support and judicial protection to multinational organizations, banks, financial institutions, corporations and entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia, Russia and other CIS countries, and therefore the examples where clients added value to their business are numerous. These include the restructuring of many client groups and the renegotiation and optimisation of their credit facilities, ensuring their continued survival and profitability. In the Dispute Resolution field we have successfully defended clients from malicious attacks on their assets in many high profile cases.

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

More than ever, clients need personalised services, stability and a long-term approach to their requests. Since 1963, our firm developed into a trustworthy, results-oriented, professional, and well respected law firm that offers strategic advice, consistency and care towards clients’ matters. We have been watching the development of the local services industry, including legal services, from the beginning of the creation of the Republic of Cyprus showing appreciation to all our client relationships and evolving with regards to their needs. We are committed in providing top level legal services with the utmost ethical standards acknowledging that our actions reflect on our society and the environment in which we operate. We strongly believe that the firm will continue the significant expansion it has enjoyed since its foundation, and we will continue to develop the knowledge and skills of our people. We look forward to the future and the challenges it will bring and we are confident that with persistent commitment to our principles, we will continue to provide top quality legal services with diligence, integrity and professionalism for many years to come.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Our Top Tier Dispute Resolution practice is the largest and most experienced department of the firm. As one of the leading departments in Cyprus, it is renowned for delivering exceptional service to clients. Senior & Managing Partner, Stavros Pavlou is an Elite Leading Individual in Cyprus and praised for his “very deep knowledge of the law”.

With a 56-year experience in the local and international legal market, the team successfully handles cases in conventional and alternative forms of litigation, including arbitration of international and domestic disputes, and mediation. The department’s transnational capabilities are substantial since lawyers have arbitrated commercial disputes in arbitration courts on a global level, including the London Court of International Arbitration, the Stockholm Arbitration Court, the Austrian Arbitration Centre, etc.

Headed by four partners, the dispute resolution team handles a wide range of claims and disputes, both locally and internationally, in respect of general civil, corporate and criminal litigation as well as administrative recourses to the Supreme Court of Cyprus including:

  • Corporate and shareholders’ disputes
  • Banking and finance disputes
  • Negligence, incl. medical malpractice
  • Bankruptcy, insolvency and receivership
  • Landlord and tenant disputes
  • Employment disputes
  • Matrimonial law
  • Defamation, libel and slander claims
  • Breach of contracts
  • Personal injury claims
  • Road traffic accidents
  • Insurance claims
  • Admiralty claims

A sample of recent cases and projects handled includes the following:

  • Representing companies which own an oil refinery in the Russian Federation, in shareholders’ disputes for the amount of USD 200 million for alleged breaches of shareholders’ agreement, misrepresentation and fraud.
  • Handling over 50 cases, with an approximate total aggregate amount of USD 3 billion, relating to the registration, recognition and enforcement of Russian judgments and arbitral awards obtained by one of the leading and largest banks of Russia against various companies and individuals.
  • For four and a half years, we have been representing a leading Russian bank in significant arbitration proceedings before a Cypriot tribunal, in a USD 40 million claim relating to the performance of certain bank guarantees; the Final Award has recently been received in the favour of our client pursuant to which the multimillion-claim of the claimants is dismissed.
  • Representing high-net worth individuals in a multi-million dispute arising out of a joint venture for the construction of residential properties in Moscow.
  • Advising before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) on the enforcement of a Sale and Purchase Agreement for the sale of issued share capital through complex corporate structures (claim amount USD 800 million).
  • Representing one of Cyprus’s biggest banks in relation to a recent amendment on Immovable Property (Transfer and Mortgage) Law No. 9/1965. We promoted applications/appeals with the District Courts, requesting that several provisions of article 44 of the Law, as amended, are unconstitutional; the Court agreed and declared certain articles of the Law unconstitutional, as breaching articles 23 and 26 of the Constitution.
  • Advising India’s largest real estate construction company, which is also a key player in real estate investments, on matters relating to the enforcement and execution of an LCIA Arbitration Award; worth approximately GBP 350 million.
  • Representing a major Russian financial institution on the recovery of over USD 1.5 billion in assets, by a leading Russian group of companies, through liquidation and other out of Court enforcement measures in order to ensure asset recoveries for debt repayment.
  • Representing a large Russian bank in litigation proceedings in Cyprus, initiated against the bank and third parties (amount USD 119 million) on the basis of alleged breaches of contractual obligations by third parties for which, allegedly, the bank is responsible in tort under Russian law, as being their ultimate mother company.

CORPORATE & M&A

The corporate and M&A team at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is ranked in the top tier for Cyprus for providing professional, high-quality consultancy services to clients. The team effectively handles complicated cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, and assists large groups of companies and prestigious international law firms on Cyprus corporate law issues.

Clients of the corporate and M&A department include public and private companies and major international groups of companies operating in various industry sectors such as oil & gas, energy, metals production, automobile and engineering, IT, construction, financial services, aviation, transport and other.

Headed by three partners, the corporate team provides professional legal advice and guidance to clients in the following areas:

  • Company formation and company administration
  • Partnership formation and dissolution
  • Corporate management, with full domiciliation services
  • Corporate reorganization, reconstruction, restructuring and optimization of business structures
  • Company liquidation and winding up
  • Shareholder agreements and corporate governance
  • Loan, agency and distributorship agreements
  • Lease and hire-purchase agreements
  • Share sale and purchase agreements
  • Local and cross border mergers, acquisitions and amalgamations
  • Joint ventures and cross border transactions
  • International tax planning
  • Legal and corporate due diligence
  • Corporate finance, with a particular focus on takeovers, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions
  • Trust Settlement and trust administration

A sample of recent cases and projects handled includes the following:

  • Advising one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry on its proposed acquisition (value of USD 975 million) of a Cyprus holding company and its subsidiaries.
  • Engaged for the 4th consecutive year by a major corporate shareholder, wishing to sell a further 25% stake in a Cyprus holding company; the project involved several complicated share transfers and sale of loans in the form of shareholder financings (value EUR 420 million).
  • Provided a complex legal memorandum to a major media and advertising services provider on the liquidation of one of its member companies, a Cyprus investment management company, which was also involved in litigation proceedings in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, USA.
  • Providing detailed analysis of corporate governance matters in relation to two Cyprus holding companies, part of a very complicated legal structure with ultimate beneficial owners of various nationalities, BVI shareholders, shares held on trust by funds and Russian subsidiaries involved in the production and sale of steel, pipes and gas tanks.
  • Advising a major Russian bank in relation to a complicated reorganization of an international corporate group operating in the oilfield sector, including Russian, Jersey and Cyprus companies.
  • Engaged by a high calibre Greek entrepreneur to provide detailed legal assistance with the setting up of a Cyprus company involved in the online travel industry. Furthermore, we comprehensively assisted with all company incorporation procedures and we also provided serviced office space to accommodate his initial operational needs.
  • Acted as the legal advisor to one of the largest Russian companies offering railway infrastructure construction services, on whether the entry into a particular pledge agreement, which constituted part to a larger financing transaction, would potentially be in breach of the Cyprus Companies Law provisions relating to the prohibition of the cross holding of shares.
  • Having gained extensive expertise, we have successfully handled and completed numerous re-domiciliation procedures from Jersey, Panama and the BVI to Cyprus.
  • Extensively reviewed and advised on the proposed website documentation such as sales paths, e-mail templates and the travel insurance policy relating to the provision of insurance by one of the world’s leading insurance companies.

BANKING AND FINANCE

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 extensive 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.

The Firm’s clients include public and private companies, large multinational corporations that have their regional hub in Cyprus, entrepreneurs as well as a host of individual clients from Cyprus and abroad. In the banking and finance sector, the Firm provides ongoing advice to a large number of local and international banks and financial institutions.

Over the last years, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC has been receiving increasing banking and finance work and thus, the department has expanded to meet the clients’ requests effectively and timely. Headed by three partners, the team provides professional legal advice and guidance to clients in the following areas:

  • Corporate finance
  • Structured finance
  • Project finance
  • Acquisition finance
  • Equity and debt finance
  • Ship finance
  • Equity investment
  • Restructurings and reorganisations
  • Derivative and securities lending transactions
  • Repurchase agreements [REPOs]
  • General banking
  • Recovery of loans
  • Lease and hire-purchase agreements
  • Letters of credit and bank guarantees
  • Offerings and listings in international stock exchanges

A sample of recent cases and projects handled includes the following:

    • Advised for 6 consecutive years, a major Russian Bank on several facility agreements, amounting up to USD 7 billion to an international chemical group.
    • Advising a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm in relation to a number of issues concerning the Financial Collateral Arrangement Law and providing a legal opinion on financial collateral assistance matters arising out of certain Master Confirmations for pre-paid share forward transactions for shares issued by the largest international crude oil tanker company worldwide.
    • Advising one of the largest banks in Russia on a financing project of over USD 1 billion regarding a trade and exhibition centre in Moscow, Russian Federation.
    • Advising a leading Switzerland-based multinational financial services group in relation to the entry into a collar transaction with a Cyprus company (value of EUR 200 million) with regards to shares in an integrated global energy company based in Spain.
    • Advising a major Russian bank in relation to a EUR 700 million facility agreement for the largest scale high-tech project in the Russian mining industry.
    • Engaged by an Asian development bank to advice from a Cyprus law perspective on the provision of a loan amounting USD 4.1 million for a construction of petroleum facilities in Tajikistan.
    • Advising on the financing of a 75-metre yacht amounting USD 50 million provided by a large Swiss Bank.
  • Represented one of the world’s most preeminent financial service firms in relation to a cross currency swap transaction, supplementing an ISDA Master Agreement, with one of the biggest investment firms in Cyprus.
  • Providing legal advice to a German global banking and financial services company on the transfer of a Cypriot secured property it held by way of Cyprus pledges in respect of two facility agreements of USD 265 million to a new security agent.
  • Advising a major Russian bank on the financing aspect of a major restructuring of the largest industrial construction group in Russia in order to fund the purchase price of the deal in the aggregate amount of approximately EUR ½ billion.
  • Advised the corporate and investment banking division of the leading financial institution of the US in relation to a transaction of the amendment and restatement of a USD 250 million facility agreement due to the change of the custodian of shares of a DIFC entity.

Angelos Onisiforou and Stylianos Trillides have been promoted to Partners

We are thrilled to announce that our firm promoted Angelos Onisiforou and Stylianos Trillides to Partners, with effect from 1 January 2023.

Leading legal experts in Europe, Middle East & Africa

Our firm’s “first-class services” are therefore delivered by outstanding heads of departments and a highly qualified and talented team of associates and legal consultants. Thank you to our clients and associates for their extraordinary comments. We will continue providing top tier legal services, managing complexity “with out of the box and innovative legal thinking”.

A TOP TIER law firm by The Legal 500! Again!

The Legal 500, EMEA 2021 edition once again recommends our law firm as a TOP TIER firm in Dispute Resolution and Tax and ranks our Banking & Finance, Commercial, Corporate and M&A, and Real Estate and Construction practice areas amongst the best in the Cyprus legal market.

Cyprus Bar Association exams: Trainee Lawyer Nicholas Yiasemis FIRST nationally

We are extremely proud of our trainee lawyer Nicholas Yiasemis for having successfully passed all his Cyprus Bar Association examinations with a very high score. He is the top of his class, ranked FIRST nationally! We wish him every success in his new journey in the legal profession!

Highly Ranked in Chambers & Partners Global

Our “widely respected team” is once more highly ranked in the Global edition by Chambers & Partners, one of the world’s leading providers of ratings and recommendation of legal firms.

Stavros Pavlou registered as a DIFC practitioner

We are very proud that, following the registration of our firm with the DIFC Courts in Dubai, now our Senior & Managing Partner, Mr Stavros Pavlou, has been registered as a DIFC practitioner, and obtained full Rights of Audience before the DIFC Courts.  From the available records, Mr Pavlou is the first Cypriot lawyer to be registered as a practitioner with this very busy International Commercial Court.We are very proud that, following the registration of our firm with the DIFC Courts in Dubai, now our Senior & Managing Partner, Mr Stavros Pavlou, has been registered as a DIFC practitioner, and obtained full Rights of Audience before the DIFC Courts.  From the available records, Mr Pavlou is the first Cypriot lawyer to be registered as a practitioner with this very busy International Commercial Court.

Our lawyers have been appointed in Committees of the Cyprus Bar Association

With professional skills to provide top quality legal services and a range of backgrounds and interests, eight lawyers of our team have been selected among many candidates and appointed in various committees of the Cyprus Bar Association and the Limassol Bar Association.With professional skills to provide top quality legal services and a range of backgrounds and interests, eight lawyers of our team have been selected among many candidates and appointed in various committees of the Cyprus Bar Association and the Limassol Bar Association.

Katerina Philippidou and Theodoros Symeonides have been promoted to Partners

Reflecting our firm’s commitment to investing in the future and the depth of our team’s talent, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC promoted Katerina Philippidou and Theodoros Symeonides to Partners, with effect from 1 January 2021.Reflecting our firm’s commitment to investing in the future and the depth of our team’s talent, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC promoted Katerina Philippidou and Theodoros Symeonides to Partners, with effect from 1 January 2021.

Cyprus and the “new normal”, reasons to invest

As the world is seeking ways to achieve the new normal in their daily lives and business activities, Cyprus is also confidently restarting its economy as the country has been praised as one of the countries to successfully manage the COVID-19 epidemic.

Podcast ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution: The Road to the Future’

Our Senior & Managing Partner, Stavros Pavlou, FCIArb gave a podcast interview to LegalMatters, and provided a clear and structured opinion on the steps that Cyprus should follow with regards to Dispute Resolution. He analysed the reasons why he believes that the current Court system of administration of justice in Cyprus is at a dead-end, and that the only immediately available escape route is to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution and implement a new Arbitration Law.

Transforming General Meetings: Covid-19 and other viruses

Cyprus companies are faced with the challenge of finding the new normal in a changing climate, along with the need to facilitate the running of their business. The introduction of strict measures imposed on human social conduct all over the world due to the Covid-19 outbreak, including lockdowns, restrictions on travel, public gatherings and social interactions, are serious obstacles for companies that need to uphold their obligations with regards to general meetings.

Leading legal experts in Europe, Middle East & Africa

Our “strategic” Senior and Managing Partner, Stavros Pavlou, is a Leading Lawyer in the Dispute Resolution and Tax areas, recommended for being “a chess master who maps a strategy several steps ahead” and for finding a way to cut through complexity. He is also highly recommended as a primary contact in Corporate, Commercial and M&A, Banking and Finance and Real Estate & Construction.

A MULTI-TOP TIER law firm for The Legal 500 once more

We are very proud that The Legal 500, EMEA 2020 edition once again recommends our law firm as a TOP TIER firm in Dispute Resolution and Tax and ranks our Banking & Finance, Commercial, Corporate and M&A, and Real Estate and Construction practice areas amongst the best in the Cyprus legal market.

Top Tier in Dispute Resolution

We are thrilled that Chambers & Partners Global, one of the world’s leading legal directories, recommends our Firm as a Top Tier firm in Dispute Resolution for its capability of “acting on complex, high-value international and Cypriot disputes involving construction companies, financial institutions and private clients” and its “strength covering debt recovery, international arbitration and fraud claims”.

CAMS certificate – Milto Charalambous

Our Assistant Compliance Officer, Milto Charalambous, has successfully completed the CAMS (Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) certificate. She now has the core competencies and essential knowledge in the Anti-Money Laundering field.

Angeliki Epaminonda has been promoted to Partner

Congratulations to Angeliki Epaminonda for her promotion to Partner! Angeliki joined our firm for her legal training in 2009, and she has since proven to be a highly committed individual. She stood out for her professionalism, dedication and integrity, and exceptional legal skills. Angeliki’s promotion strengthens our commitment to diversity, as 6 in 8 partners at Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC are women...

Highly Regarded Lawyers – IFLR1000 Financial & Corporate

We are excited that IFLR 1000, the only international legal directory dedicated to financial and corporate transactional work, has ranked our firm among the top law firms in Cyprus in this field and recommends our law firm as a “strong Financial and Corporate firm with strong cross-border capabilities”.

Certified Continuing Professional Development Center

Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC has been certified by the Cyprus Bar Association as a Continuing Professional Development Training Centre.


Internal Lawyers Seminar

Our firm organized an exciting retreat weekend for the legal team that aimed in encouraging the lawyers to enforce internal ties, discuss internal matters, develop their skills further and have fun with the colleagues. The retreat weekend took place on the 24th and 25th February 2018 in Elysium Hotel in Paphos.


A comparison of Cyprus and BVI corporate structures in the light of recent global tax reforms

The recent revelations in the Panama and Paradise Papers illustrated the need for companies to make a shift towards more responsible fiscal behaviour and tax responsibilities. International guidelines such as the OECD guidelines and the 4th EU AML Directive clarify that evasive fiscal practices will be disclosed. This article analyses the implications on some of the most established corporate structure vehicles, British Virgin Islands (BVI) business companies and Cyprus companies, by outlining their key characteristics and evaluating how each jurisdiction is adhering to stricter international compliance standards.


Cyprus VAT on Land – Updates by the Tax Department

In November 2017, the Cyprus parliament voted an important amendment to the Cyprus VAT Legislation, which amends the main VAT Law N.95(I)/2000 concerning taxation of building land, in order to align it with the provisions of EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC. The amendment has entered into force on 2 January 2018.


Prometheus Award for Mr Stavros Pavlou

On Monday 11th December 2017, our Senior and Managing Partner, Mr Stavros Pavlou was awarded the Prometheus prize in Moscow for his invaluable contribution towards the protection of Russian business interests in Cyprus and abroad. 


Double Tax Treaty for between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia

The Cyprus Ministry of Finance has announced that Cyprus has entered into a double tax agreement with Saudi Arabia for the avoidance of double taxation (‘DTT’), which aims to prevent tax evasion. 


Key Speakers at the Cyprus Fiduciary Association seminar

Once again, The Cyprus Fiduciary Association (CFA) selected our law firm to present another specialised and highly demanded seminar, the “Advanced Directors’ Workshop”, which took place on 30th November and 1st December 2017 in Nicosia and Limassol respectively.


Contributing to local and international conferences and seminars

The Cyprus Fiduciary Association (CFA) organised a valuable and practical seminar titled “Rights of Settlor and Beneficiaries under a Trust” on 28 and 29 September 2017 in Nicosia and Limassol respectively.


Successful representation at the 2nd English-Cypriot Law Day conference and developing further the A

The Cyprus Bar Association and the English Bar Council successfully organised the 2nd EnglishCypriot Law Day conference, which was held in Limassol, Cyprus on the 8th September 2017.... As a leading law firm, Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC was one of the main contributors to the event. 


ILA Conference Cyprus

The Cypriot, French and Hellenic branches of the International Law Association (ILA) organised a successful conference on International Arbitration in Larnaca, Cyprus on 30th June and 1st July 2017.


Top-Tier Law Firm & Leading Lawyers recognitions from one of the world’s leading legal directories

Legal 500, the world’s legal guide to the leading law firms and outstanding lawyers in over 100 jurisdictions, has recently released tiered rankings for the EMEA region for 2017. We are extremely proud that our law Firm is placed in the TOP tier rankings for Cyprus.


Sustainable success through leading rankings, new membership and continuous development

We are very proud that Patrikios Pavlou & Associates LLC is ranked once more as a leading law firm in Cyprus by Chambers & Partners Global.


Cyprus introduces rules to implement Country by Country reporting requirements

The Cyprus Minister of Finance issued a Decree on 30 December 2016, introducing a mandatory Country by Country (CBC) reporting requirement for multinational enterprise groups generating consolidated annual turnover exceeding €750m (MNE Group). 


citizenship by investment programmes

The Cypriot passport ranks among the strongest in the world, as holders are able to travel to 146 countries without a visa, Cyprus Business Mail reports on 29th December 2016...

Delivering a proficient seminar on The Duties & Liabilities of Trustees

The Cyprus Fiduciary Association (CFA) organised an interesting, two-day seminar on “The Duties and Liabilities of Trustees” which took place on 19th and 20th October 2016, at St Raphael Hotel Limassol and the Filoxenia Conference Center Nicosia, respectively.