Michael Kyriakides heads the Commercial, Corporate Litigation & Advisory practice at Harris Kyriakides.
Michael’s practice covers the full range of company and commercial litigation, arbitration and advisory work. He specialises in complex corporate and commercial litigation and has extensive experience in pursuing and defending injunction litigation, including freezing orders, third party disclosure orders, search and seizure orders, tracing orders and other injunctions. He has acted in some of the largest claims and disputes brought before the Cyprus courts in recent years. His commercial, solutions-based approach is sought out by clients around the world to resolve their most composite and sensitive matters in domestic and international litigation. Michael has particular expertise in complex fraud and asset recovery litigation. He also accumulated extensive experience in cases involving international litigation or arbitration on corporate matters, investments, commercial issues arising in the banking and financial services, company and insolvency sectors and shareholders disputes.
Michael also leads the teams providing commercial and corporate advisory on cross border mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and large asset finance transactions in Europe and has successfully negotiated and completed a range of domestic and cross-border transactions. He also advises on regulatory, compliance and sanctions matters.
Michael is consistently recommended by legal editorials, such as Legal 500, Who ‘s Who Legal and Chambers & Partners. In 2023, he has been ranked by Legal500 as a leading professional in Dispute resolution, Commercial, corporate and M&A, EU and competition, Intellectual property and Maritime and admiralty. Frequently, he is instructed by “magic circle” and other leading international firms. Michael is a regular speaker in international conferences and serves as outside counsel and non-executive director in a number of companies.
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. In addition, he has lectured in universities and international conferences and has published articles in legal journals and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and a licensed insolvency practitioner.
Partner and Head of the firm’s Banking & Finance and Insurance Law Departments, Nicolas Kyriakides is one of Cyprus’s most celebrated commercial lawyers and academics. He is known as widely internationally as he is domestically: he is regularly involved in projects with the leading banking, finance and insurance brands in Cyprus, as well as foreign equivalents globally in relation to their Cypriot operations; and in addition to a doctorate from the University of Oxford with Professor Adrian Zuckerman, he is a two-time Master of Laws with qualifications from UCL and New York University. Nicolas has also been a Visiting Researcher at Harvard Law School (Spring 2020) with Professor David Rosenberg. He is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He also lectures regularly at the University of Nicosia and he is the author of the book Cyprus Banking Law by Nomiki Vivliothiki.
Nicolas’s work encompasses the full range of insurance issues – clinical and professional negligence, motor accidents and employers’ and public liability. He advises both claimants and defendants (more common in Cyprus) so has a 360-degree view of the issues that arise on both sides of the equation, from which all his clients benefit. He also supervises teams advising insurance companies and banks on regulatory and compliance issues.
He is particularly known for his out-of-the-box legal thinking and his track record of establishing new legal concepts and ideas. He has contributed to a number of high-level innovative legal research initiatives and papers, particularly in the area of Civil Procedure, in the course of both his commercial practice and his academic life. As a result he is regularly consulted to advise on changing legislation and regulation.
Languages Spoken:
English, Greek, French
Professional Memberships
President of the Committee on Civil Procedure Rules and Reform of the Cyprus Bar Association and Committee Member of the Larnaca Bar Association
Board member of the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Founding member of the Cyprus Forum of Insurance Lawyers
Member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Arbitration Forum
Founding member of the Cyprus Forum and Nomoplatform
Member of the Board of the Cyprus Lobbyists and Public Affairs Professionals
Founder and co-director of the Procedural Law Unit at the University of Nicosia
Fellow of the European Law Institute (ELI) and member of its Insurance Law SIG
Phivos Zomenis is a Partner in the Corporate Department (Advisory and Litigation) at Harris Kyriakides. He was called to the Pancyprian Bar Association in 1989. He had practiced law until his appointment as a District Judge in 1996. During his sixteen years of service in the Cyprus judiciary, he dealt with both civil and criminal cases. He was later appointed as the Chief Legal Officer of Bank of Cyprus. He is a licensed insolvency practitioner and a member of the Advocates Disciplinary Board.
Recent Practice
- Represented parties in worldwide freezing injunctions and disclosure orders (acting for plaintiffs in some cases and for defendants in other cases);
- Represented parties for interim reliefs in aid of foreign arbitration;
- Represented parties in proceedings for the registration and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Cyprus
- Advised on Corporate matters;
- Represented clients in civil and criminal litigation;
- Advised on insolvency matters.
Charikleia Theodoulou is a Partner in the Employment and Property Litigation Department at Harris Kyriakides. Charikleia’s areas of expertise cover negotiation, litigation and arbitration. She focuses on sale, lease and construction agreements of immovable property, related litigation and employment disputes, as well as matters of arbitration. Furthermore, Charikleia provides legal opinions to leading companies in Cyprus in matters of employment and contract disputes. Charikleia has dealt with a range of employment, real estate and property litigation cases. She has substantial experience in advising leading companies, and has represented local businesses and individuals in court proceedings.
Recent Practice
- Advised local businesses on employment matters;
- Represented local business and individuals in interim court proceedings in Cyprus;
- Drafted applications submitted to the Labour Court concerning employment disputes;
- Assisted clients in matters related to redundancy and employment termination;
- Drafted Employment Agreements;
- Handled arbitration cases concerning an agreement disputes;
- Drafted applications submitted to the court concerning, inter alia, agreement disputes, property disputes and enforcement of court judgments;
- Assisted in preparing and filing applications to the Land Registry for the issuance of title deeds;
- Drafted pleadings and led hearings on matters of statutory tenancy, evictions, unpaid rents and fair value of rent before the Rent Control Court;
- Represented local businesses and/or individuals before the Labour Court regarding employment disputes;
- Represented local businesses and/or individuals before the District Court regarding concerning agreement disputes, property disputes and unpaid balances;
- Represented local businesses and/or individuals before the Supreme Court regarding appeals, applications for security of costs, applications to extent the timeframe to file an appeal;
- Assisting local businesses and/or individuals for criminal proceedings in relation to unpaid and postated cheques;
- Representing public companies and/or individuals in actions for damages sustained as a result of architectural malpractice, construction defects or deviations from contractual warranties and representations to statutory tenancies;
- Specialises in both advisory and litigation services on repossessions, rent increases, rent recovery and trespassing. Represented the real estate unit of a major financial institution in Cyprus in several cases concerning the occupants of properties either owned or administered and managed by them.
Angela Charalambous is a Partner in the Administrative & Public Law and Family & Estate Department at Harris Kyriakides. Angela’s main area of practice is public law, which includes dealing with cases before the Supreme and Administrative Court in relation to disputes arising from public and/or administrative law – including taxation disputes. Her recent work includes providing legal opinions for public entities on matters pertaining to public law.
Recent Practice
- Provided legal support to public entities. She has given legal advice on employment relationships between organisations and their employees, legal measures, appointments in the public sector and on disciplinary actions of employees;
- Advised public entities on the impact, interpretation and implementation of Cyprus legislation and policies;
- Advised and supported companies as well as European citizens regarding Family law on matters of properties, child nutrition, divorces;
- Provided legal advice to public entities in relation to interpretation and application of Law;
- Reviewed and advised organisations regarding important contracts between their employees;
- Represented before the Supreme District court on behalf of public entities, individuals and private companies;
- Prepared submissions at Administrative court, Family court and District court;
- Preparation of pleadings on matters of appeals, objections, applications, lawsuits;
- Involved in disciplinary proceedings conducted by public entities;
- Drafting of appeals for public entities;
- Legal technical control of draft laws (laws and regulations);
- Hierarchical appeals to the Tender Review Authority;
- Prepared applications regarding divorce proceedings, custodial matters, alimony and property disputes; and
- Involved in numerous important court cases such as a case on child abduction (assisted the Attorney General).
Eleni Neoptolemou is a Partner in the Commercial Team at Harris Kyriakides, specialising in complex commercial, administrative, and data protection law. With a strong track record in sectors such as maritime, aviation, energy, and public procurement, Eleni provides strategic legal guidance across a broad spectrum of cases. Her recent work includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, overseeing GDPR compliance for high-profile entities, navigating challenging competition law matters, and representing clients in intricate IP and trademark disputes. She also plays a key role in public procurement cases, frequently appearing before the Administrative Court and Tenders Review Authority. Eleni’s expertise extends to guiding organizations through complex transactions in renewable energy, handling high-stakes competition inquiries, and advising on regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies in the oil and gas industry. Her work is distinguished by a meticulous approach to due diligence, a deep understanding of compliance and regulatory standards, and a commitment to protecting her clients’ interests in high-stakes litigation and strategic negotiations.
Recent Practice
- Prepared recourses to the Administrative Court and Tenders Review Authority, appeals to Court of Appeal covering among others planning permits, public tenders, and environmental compliance.
- Successfully argued for the right of contractor to be heard in administrative proceedings before the Tender Review Authority in case of an application to declare a contract inactive (recourse 274/22and others).
- Advised public and private entities on regulatory matters, including public sector appointments and environmental law, with a focus on harmonization with the Offshore Safety Directive.
- Developed GDPR frameworks, documentation, and training for banks, hotels, municiapilities and other public and private entities, and served as Data Protection Officer for several organizations.
- Drafted and negotiated contracts in the aviation, oil and gas, and technology sectors, including supply agreements, software licenses, and service agreements.
- Provided extensive IP counsel on trademark registration, brand protection, and franchise disputes, including representation in EUIPO proceedings and securing interim orders to prevent IP misuse.
- Defended clients in investigations by the Competition Authority and Consumer Protection Agency, and advised on state aid applications and compliance issues.
- Led the merger of two leading non-profits in the marine sector, overseeing compliance, due diligence, and integration for effective cross-sector collaboration.
- Provided comprehensive legal support for acquisitions across various sectors, from initial due diligence to negotiation and structuring, ensuring compliance and protecting clients’ interests throughout the transaction process.
- Advised on acquisitions and development of photovoltaic parks, handling due diligence, regulatory compliance, and financing negotiations.
- Provided counsel on complex energy transactions and compliance for oil and gas industry clients, including contract review and regulatory navigation.
- Advised on import agreements, aviation fueling regulations, online gambling compliance, and AML requirements for payment processing, safeguarding compliance in diverse regulatory landscapes.
- Presented as a speaker on topics such as public procurement, GDPR compliance, and interim judicial protection at conferences, and presented on high-profile EU events on data protection and AML strategies.
Andrea Newton is a Partner in the Commercial, Real Estate and Employment advisory Department at Harris Kyriakides. Andrea specialises in sale/purchase and lease agreements for Cyprus real estate, the acquisition of Cyprus assets by foreign nationals, international license, franchise and trademark license agreements. She advises on a full range of real estate development projects, from office buildings and mixed use facilities to large scale urban residential projects as well as hotels and retail facilities. She is regularly involved in asset acquisitions, joint ventures and the setting up of other corporate structures on behalf of a major real estate development company.
She also has experience in the energy and maritime sectors as she previously worked for an international oil and gas company. Andrea is fluent in Greek, French, and English.
Recent Practice
- Advised on the management and operation of the first Radisson Blu hotel in Cyprus;
- Handled an acquisition of a long term lease of a property in the industrial area of Larnaca from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism; and
- Advised on franchise agreements for the opening of international hotel brands in Cyprus.
Niki is a Partner in the Corporate Law and Dispute Resolution Department at Harris Kyriakides. She has extensive experience in Corporate and Commercial Litigation, representing national and international clients.
Her practice focuses on complex disputes and the main areas of her expertise include corporate fraud and asset recovery, shareholders’ disputes, insolvency and recognition and enforcement proceedings. Over the years of her practice, she has been involved in high profile litigation disputes.
She is a member of the board of Cyprus Legal Council, member of the board of Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre (CAMC) and member of the board and founding member of IWIRC Cyprus (International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation). She has also served on the board of Limassol Bar Association for 13 years, being a member of the board in 2010 – 2014, Secretary of the board in 2014 – 2017 and the Vice-President in 2017 – 2023.
Recent Practice:
- Successfully obtained interim injunctions including mareva injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal Orders, Anton Piller Orders and Gagging Orders.
- Successfully obtained orders for the appointment of an interim receiver / manager of companies.
- Represented clients of investment companies before the District Courts of Cyprus and obtained on their behalf freezing injunctions.
- Represented defendants in complex corporate disputes before the Courts of Cyprus and managed to discharge interim prohibitory / freezing orders.
- Advised clients on cross-border and multi-jurisdictional disputes.
Georgina Athanasiou is a Partner in the Banking & Finance and Criminal Law Department at Harris Kyriakides. Georgina has substantial litigation experience and regularly represents banks and other financial institutions before Cyprus courts. Her main areas of expertise are litigation, domestic and international debt collection, loan recoveries and liquidation proceedings. She also deals with criminal law cases.
Recent Practice
- Representing banks in complex litigation and filing interim orders. Her experience includes handling legal proceedings under the domestic Transfer and Asset Law.
- Advising banks on debt enforcement and restructuring agreements, including debt-for-asset swaps.
- Managing interim court proceedings involving the service of legal documents and jurisdiction under national and EU laws, as well as handling the enforcement of judgments.
- Providing guidance to banks on purchasing non-performing loan portfolios, internal legal matters, and online property auctions.
- Handling cases involving the European Arrest Warrant and extradition, including successfully referring preliminary questions to the European Court of Justice.
- In addition to her legal practice, Georgina is actively involved in civic leadership and public affairs:
- Oxygen for Democracy: President of the Board since 2016, promoting dialogue and societal change.
- Georgina is a member of Cyprus’s first company involved in pure political lobbying, Zenox Public Affairs. She has been closely involved with the launch of the Cyprus Forum in association with the Delphi Economic Forum, a high-level conference designed to drive change through dialogue among government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and media.
- Scientific Council Against Corruption: Appointed in 2020 by the President of Cyprus, reflecting her commitment to transparency and governance.
- She also advises the Prisoner Rights Protection Association and is involved in several other civic initiatives, including the Parallel Parliament initiative under the Committee on Transparency, Institutions, and Justice, and the Larnaca Municipal Youth Council.
- She co-authored a chapter on Bonds in the leading textbook “Cyprus Banking Law,” published in 2021, which is considered a definitive reference in the field.
- Georgina has authored several academic articles, including pieces on alternative sentences in Cyprus, European Arrest Warrant and Fundamental rights and civil procedure reforms. Her work, such as the article “Civil procedure reform in Cyprus: looking to England and beyond,” published in the Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal, demonstrates her deep understanding of both Cypriot and international legal frameworks.
- She is also a member of the Scientific Team for CYSCOLA, shaping legal citation standards in Cyprus.
- Her achievements have been recognized with awards such as the European Citizen Prize (2022).
Juliana specialises in corporate law and dispute resolution. She is a graduate of the University of Cyprus and holds a postgraduate degree in Corporate Law from the University of Cambridge.
With extensive court experience, Juliana represents companies and individuals in complex corporate disputes, often with international dimensions, before both civil and arbitration courts. She has particular expertise in complex fraud and asset recovery litigation and in obtaining interim relief, including asset-freezing injunctions (both locally and internationally), disclosure orders and search orders, whether as part of national proceedings or in support of foreign litigation.
Beyond contentious matters, Juliana advises on shareholder disputes, derivative actions, corporate liquidations, and debt recovery in civil and commercial cases. She has also been involved in commercial and corporate advisory matters and has significant experience in high-profile corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, share purchase agreements, loan sale agreements, and financial instruments.
Recent Practice
- Advising and drafting of share purchase agreements and other ancillary documents.
- Drafting of loan sale agreements, security documents, pledge agreements and other ancillary documents.
- Conducting legal due diligence, preparation of reports and analysis of protection mechanisms.
- Drafted financial instruments, legal opinions to management of company and potential bondholders and other legal documentation
- Drafting of management agreement, shareholders’ agreements and other corporate management agreements.
- Representing parties for interim reliefs in aid of foreign arbitration.
- Representing and advising in relation to disclosure orders (Norwich Pharmacal), non-destruction orders and corporate fraud.
- Representing and advising on corporate insolvency and corporate restructuring matters.
Αngeliki Papaefstathiou is a Senior Associate in the Administrative Law and Family & Estate Department at Harris Kyriakides. Angeliki’s main area of practice is public law, which includes dealing with cases before the Administrative Court in relation to disputes arising from public and/or administrative law – including taxation disputes.
Recent Practice
- Provided Legal advice to public entities. Particularly, it provide legal advice on matter in relation to (a) employment relationships between organizations and their employees, (b) the interpretation and implementation of various laws and regulations (c) legal measures, which can be taken by these organisations on various matters they can face, (d) appointments in the public sector (e) on disciplinary offenses of employees;
- Prepared submissions at the Administrative Court in relation to various matters such as premises permits, competitions, planning permits, building permits, appointments to the position in the wider public sector for imposing excise duty and value added tax;
- Prepared appeals to the Administrative Court;
- Prepared actions in relation to unlawful interference on immovable property on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Republic of Cyprus;
- Participated in the proceedings before the Dispute Resolution Committee, which was appointed for the purpose of resolving disputes between the Ministry of Transport and our client, Communication and Works (OSEA) and preparation of pleadings;
- Participated in disciplinary proceedings conducted by public entities;
- Participated in meetings of public entities;
- Revised important contracts signed between these organizations and their employees;
- Legal technical control of draft legal instruments (laws and regulations);
- Appeared before the Administrative Court, District Court, Criminal Court on behalf of these organizations. In addition, I help in cases, those intending to challenge decisions of the public authorities as well as on behalf of private companies; and
- Represented the Deputy Minister of Tourism before the Criminal Courts on operation of leisure centers and premises without permit from Cyprus Tourism Organization.
Maria Afxentiou is a Senior Associate in the Corporate Dispute Resolution Department at Harris Kyriakides.
She has experience in commercial and corporate litigation. She specialises in the issuance of injunctive relief in support of both domestic and foreign proceedings, such as freezing orders, asset tracing orders, gaging orders, non-destruction orders and disclosure orders. She also deals with shareholders disputes, fraud and conspiracy claims as well as liquidation petitions.
Recent work:
- Represented local and international companies as well as individuals before the Districts Courts of Cyprus;
- Represented parties in worldwide freezing injunctions and disclosure orders;
- Represented parties before the Commission for the Protection of Competition (C.P.C.) of the Republic of Cyprus;
- Advised on Cyprus Corporate matters;
- Advised on Ship registration matters;
- Advised on bills of lading and charter parties matters.