Team size: 6 legal advisors and 5 administrative officers

Career Biography

I joined the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (the EAC), a public law legal entity established by statute under the Electricity Authority of Cyprus Law, Cap. 171, in November 1995 as a Legal Officer, bringing with me five years of professional experience in two major law firms in Nicosia, Cyprus. During those years in the private sector, I worked on and gained experience in administrative law, torts, civil cases, some criminal cases, and employment matters, which provided me with a strong foundation for my future role in a large public utility organisation, i.e. the EAC.

Upon entering the Legal Services Department of the EAC, I was the only woman and one of only three lawyers at the time without prior experience in court or advocacy matters. I therefore faced considerable challenges in adapting to the public sector, the demanding workload, and the organisational culture. Nevertheless, I quickly established myself as a trusted advisor through persistence, adaptability, and professionalism.

From the outset of my career at the EAC, I was actively involved in a wide spectrum of legal matters. These included public law and administrative law issues, civil litigation and out-of-court settlements, disciplinary procedures, land expropriation, contractual disputes, and tendering and procurement procedures.

I advised both the General Management and the various operational departments of the EAC, namely Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Supply, ensuring compliance with the legal and regulatory frameworks while safeguarding the EAC’s interests.

In July 2011, I was promoted to Secretary/Manager of Legal Services, the position I hold to this day. In this capacity, I became responsible not only for overseeing all legal work of the EAC, but also for attending all meetings of the EAC board of directors, appointed by the Council of Ministers. My role includes preparing legally substantiated minutes and drafting Board Decisions in such a way as to minimise the risk of successful legal challenge before the Administrative Court of Cyprus or the Tender Review Authority. I also work closely with the Board and senior management to ensure that strategic decisions are legally implemented and effectively executed.

A critical moment in my career came in 2011 with the tragic Mari naval base explosion, which caused catastrophic damage to the Vasilikos Power Station, the largest power generation unit of the EAC. Managing the legal aftermath of this crisis was one of the most challenging experiences of my career. I was deeply involved in complex legal matters together with my colleagues in the Legal Department, external lawyers, local and international insurance companies, and members of the Board of Directors, working tirelessly to secure the necessary compensation to rebuild the station and restore the EAC’s operational capacity. Throughout my tenure, I have consistently focused on protecting the interests of the EAC.

In view of the above, I have been serving as an in-house Legal Counsel at the EAC for 30 years. Throughout my career, my primary focus has been on ensuring the effective application of relevant legislation, with particular emphasis on compliance with equal treatment directives and the principles of good administration.

Currently, I lead a legal team of eleven members, six of whom are qualified lawyers, while the remaining colleagues provide valuable administrative and technical support. I believe I have successfully mentored and transferred my knowledge and experience to ensure that all team members perform their duties effectively and to high professional standards.

I also maintain excellent collaboration with our external legal advisors, Ioannides Demetriou LLC, working closely with their senior partners to secure the necessary support and expert input on complex legal matters.

From the moment I was hired, my aim has been to build a strong Legal Services Department, one that is trusted, respected, and utilised both by internal stakeholders and by our external legal advisors and other organisations and authorities. Although the early years were difficult due to a male-dominated environment and the limited understanding of legal concepts by non-lawyers, it has been an honour to earn the trust of many colleagues in my knowledge and judgment. I remain committed to strengthening the Legal Department and continuing this work in the years ahead.

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

I am the official Secretary of the Board of Directors of the EAC. I record all of its decisions in proper legal form, as they are subject to judicial review before the Administrative Court as well as review by the Tenders Review Authority, and I am responsible for their implementation in cooperation with the competent departments.

I am responsible for handling all legal matters of the EAC, including civil litigation, administrative cases, employment and labour-related issues, as well as procurement and tender-related matters.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

The most significant experience in my career at the EAC was in 2011, following the explosion at Mari, which caused damage worth millions to the Vasilikos Power Station. After extensive efforts, the EAC was eventually compensated with a substantial amount by the insurance companies.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am passionate about promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in public institutions and procurement, as well as supporting fair employment.