Mr Michael Kyriakides > Harris Kyriakides > Larnaca, Cyprus > Lawyer Profile
Harris Kyriakides Offices
115 FANEROMENIS AVENUE
ANTOUANETTAS BUILDING
6031 LARNACA
Cyprus
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Mr Michael Kyriakides
Work Department
Corporate, M&A, and Commercial Litigation and Arbitration
Position
Partner
Career
Michael Kyriakides is a Partner and Head of the Corporate Department at Harris Kyriakides. He is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Recommended by the Legal 500, 2018, in Commercial Corporate & M&A and in EU and Competition, Who ‘s Who Legal and Chambers & Partners, Michael’s practice covers the full range of company and commercial litigation, arbitration and advisory work. His commercial, solutions-based approach is sought out by clients around the world to resolve some of their most complex and sensitive matters in domestic and international litigation. His expertise focuses on cases involving commercial issues arising in the banking & financial services, company & insolvency sectors and shareholders disputes. He has extensive experience in cases involving international litigation or arbitration, interim injunctions, equity investments, cross border mergers/acquisitions, corporate restructuring and large asset finance transactions in Europe.
He regularly represents local and international clients before Cyprus Courts, national authorities and arbitration tribunals and has successfully negotiated and completed a range of domestic and cross-border transactions. He also serves as outside counsel for certain clients and as a non-executive director in a number of companies. Frequently, he is instructed by “magic circle” and other leading international firms. His recent court practice includes Anton Piller/Norwhich Pharmacal proceedings, injunctions in aid of foreign proceedings and corporate litigation.
Michael holds a law degree from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, has completed a Master of Laws programme at University College London and was awarded an MPhil at the University of Oxford, where he authored a thesis on summary adjudication in civil litigation. He also acted as the leader of the EU Commission legal research project in “Documentary disclosure in cross border litigation”, conducted by Oxford University in collaboration with Vienna University and Ludwig Maximilians University Munich. He has lectured in front of various groups and international conferences and has published articles in legal journals.
He is a member of the Corporate Law Committee of the Cyprus Bar Association and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
Recent Practice
- Represented a Cyprus company in conspiracy claims exceeding 820m USD and ancillary freezing injunction proceedings against Ukrainian based SCM Group.
- Instructed by HFC, a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, in relation to the enforcement of English provisional orders in Cyprus.
- Represented Yucos Capital Limited in relation to asset disclosure and tracing proceedings and gagging orders.
- Represented a major Russian oil company in Cyprus proceedings related to recognition and enforcement of LCIA award, together with ancillary injunctions for freezing of assets and disclosure of financial information.
- Represented one of the leading Cyprus banks in proceedings related to recognition and enforcement of a foreign judgment.
- Acted as an expert witness on Cyprus Corporate Law matters in LCIA arbitration.
- Represented one of the largest Russian banks in worldwide freezing injunction proceedings and Cyprus pledge enforcement proceedings.
- Represented a major international cement and concrete conglomerate in Anton Piller/Norwhich Pharmacal proceedings in Cyprus.
- Represented automotive spare parts importers in anti-trust proceedings before the Cyprus Competition Commission, which led to conviction of Daimler AG on the basis of anti-competitive conduct.
- Advised ABB in international project procurement.
- Advised on software development agreements in cooperation with a major international maritime authority.
- Counselled United States Polo Association on intellectual property matters.
- Advised Burger King on Cyprus corporate law matters.
Recent Academic Work
- Contributor in Cross-Border Mergers, EU Perspectives and National Experiences, 2019 (Springer)
- Contributory on Sovereign Immunity, 2019 (Lexology)
Languages
English, Greek
Memberships
Member of the Cyprus Bar, 2004
Licensed Insolvency Practitioner
Education
MSt, University of Oxford, 2003
LLM, University College London,2002
LLB, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2001
Lawyer Rankings
Cyprus > Maritime and admiralty
Michael Kyriakides heads up the practice at Harris Kyriakides, which has a solid track record in advising on the formation and maintenance of shipping companies, registration of vessels, and the sale and financing of ships. The team’s workload also includes shipbuilding agreements and related litigation and arbitration proceedings. Maritime tax and insurance work is another core area of focus.
Cyprus > Tax
Michael Kyriakides and Angela Charalambous co-head the tax practice at Harris Kyriakides, which provides tax advice to a range of clients, including multinational companies, high-net-worth individuals, and trusts. Tax litigation is a prominent area of instruction for the team, with VAT disputes prominent in the group’s workload. The department also has a solid track record in handling appeals before the Cyprus Tax Tribunal.
Cyprus > EU and competition
Harris Kyriakides‘ excellent team handles a wide array of competition law matters, with a particular focus on merger control matters and antitrust issues. The group is also skilled in advising on anti-competitive practices, state aid and public procurement issues. Regulatory work is another key area of instruction for the department. Michael Kyriakides and Eleni Neoptolemou are the practice heads.
Cyprus > Commercial, corporate and M&A
The team at Harris Kyriakides represents national and international companies and institutions in a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial transactions. The group has expertise in advising on the commercial and corporate aspects of multi-jurisdictional deals and investment mandates, and has been kept busy handling corporate transactions in the technology sector. Michael Kyriakides and Eleni Neoptolemou are the practice heads.
Cyprus > Dispute resolution
The team at Harris Kyriakides is praised for its ‘high level of knowledge’ and ‘very friendly approach’. Led by Michael Kyriakides, Phivos Zomenis and Niki Liassides, the practice fields expertise in a wide range of areas, with strength in advising on commercial litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. It is well-placed to handle cross-border disputes, international trade conflicts, and multi-jurisdictional litigation. The group continues to advise on other issues including real estate and construction claims, contentious energy and natural resources matters, and employment disputes.
Cyprus > Intellectual property
Under the joint leadership of Michael Kyriakides and Eleni Neoptolemou, the nimble team at Harris Kyriakides handles a broad array of intellectual property matters. Key areas of instruction for the group include advising on trade marks, patents and copyrights, as well as trade secrets and domain names. The practice has particular expertise in acting for clients in sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, and fashion. The group is well-placed to advise on digital content protection issues, and has also been kept busy assisting with the protection of confidential information and copyright infringement claims.
Lawyer Rankings
- EU and competition Cyprus
- Intellectual property Cyprus
- Dispute resolution Cyprus
- Maritime and admiralty Cyprus
- Tax Cyprus
- Commercial, corporate and M&A Cyprus