Interview with: Kypros Ioannides, Partner

Partner Kypros Ioannides on charting an independent path—and how “global perspective, digital outlook, local insight” defines client service in Cyprus.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Hadjianastassiou, Ioannides LLC from your competitors?

What sets Hadjianastassiou, Ioannides LLC apart can be summed up in three points:

1. A genuinely client‑centered culture—where we prioritise clarity of advice with commercial relevance and active engagement throughout each matter;
2. A distinctive work environment – supportive rather than competitive, yet always challenging. We encourage contributions at every level and foster collaboration across specialties. This positive, collegiate mentality comes through in the quality of our work;
3. Proven depth in our core practices – our teams are consistently praised for combining quality with practicality. We bring the same disciplined execution across all practice areas, where independent testimonials emphasise our deep knowledge in each field and the ability to provide clients with insightful, efficient and solutions-oriented advice.

 

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

Over the next 12 months, we expect strong growth in six practice areas, each driven by distinct market dynamics:

Corporate/M&A and Reorganisations – Cyprus continues to attract inbound investment not only due to its favourable tax regime and EU membership, but also because it has rapidly developed into a hub for technology and digital innovation. Consolidation in key sectors (financial services, energy, real estate, shipping, tech) fuels restructuring and M&A deals. Clients also face regulatory-driven reorganisations, especially in financial institutions.

Financial Services & Banking/Finance – Growth in project finance, cross-border lending, and fintech regulation (crypto, payments, AML) is driving demand. Cyprus’s role as a financial hub for EU and non-EU businesses makes advisory work increasingly complex.

Technology, Data & IP – The rapid expansion of the Cyprus tech/start-up ecosystem, particularly in fintech, gaming, and SaaS, is driving demand for brand protection, licensing, co-existence agreements, and cross-border IP management. Alongside data protection and new digital markets rules, the EU AI Act is adding fresh compliance challenges, especially for businesses developing or deploying AI solutions. This convergence of innovation and regulation is creating one of the most dynamic areas of legal work in Cyprus.

Dispute Resolution – As an established jurisdiction for international holding structures and cross-border transactions, Cyprus continues to generate a high volume of disputes leading to a rise in litigation and arbitration. Recent court reforms are enhancing efficiency and strengthening Cyprus’s position as a favourable forum for dispute resolution.. Sanctions enforcement and asset recovery have added to the caseload, making disputes more international and urgent.

 Private Client – Cyprus remains attractive for high-net-worth individuals and families of highly-skilled personnel seeking residency and relocation within the EU, supported by favourable immigration frameworks and lifestyle advantages. At the same time, estate planning and succession structuring are becoming increasingly important as wealth becomes more international and complex, with clients looking for secure, tax-efficient, and legally robust solutions to preserve family assets across generations.

 Employment – The impending transposition of several EU directives affecting the labour market will require significant recalibration of employment policies and practices. In particular, the EU Platform Work Directive and the Pay Transparency Directive will demand multi-disciplinary and cross-border cooperation from employers. We anticipate strong demand for advice on implementation, compliance and workforce strategy.

 

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

The main change has been establishing our own identity again in 2025, after almost a decade within the Deloitte Legal network. This has given us the ability to set our own goals, policies and strategic direction, refocusing , around speed, flexibility and direct partner access—without compromising international calibre. We’ve streamlined decision‑making, invested in targeted know‑how and sharpened our sector focus so clients get faster turnarounds, leaner teams and clearer pricing, anchored in our “global perspective, digital outlook, local insight.” approach.

 

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

As technology advances, it inevitably changes the way we serve clients—and we see this as an opportunity to enhance efficiency and transparency. We use secure digital collaboration for document exchange, red‑lining and e‑signatures; we maintain shared trackers for complex transactions and case management; we have developed a collaborative tool for legal due diligence projects to enhance efficiency; and we leverage research/knowledge tools to deliver faster, more data‑driven answers—without cutting corners on professional judgment. The aim is simple: make the path from instruction to outcome as efficient and predictable as possible.

 

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

We recently advised a high-growth technology company expanding into Cyprus on a dual track: setting up its local operations while simultaneously securing IP protections and immigration arrangements for key personnel. By coordinating corporate structuring, real estate acquisition, IP filings, and employment/immigration matters in parallel, we enabled the client to launch on schedule, safeguard its core intangible assets, and relocate its leadership team seamlessly. This integrated approach ensured the business could focus on scaling operations while we managed the legal complexities in the background.

 

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

Absolutely. Clients want trusted partners who combine technical excellence with commercial judgment and continuity of team. Over the next three years we plan to:

• Strengthen our top‑tier standing in core areas (corporate/M&A, employment, disputes),
• Deepen our financial services and tech/data & IP capabilities, and
• Continue investing in people and technology so engagement is seamless from instruction through delivery.