August 2007
George Mountis and Georgia Chrysostomides attend the Lex Mundi Institute 2007 Foundation Management Program in Monterey, California

Senior associates George Mountis and Georgia Chrysostomides recently returned from this year’s Lex Mundi Institute (LMI) Foundation Management Program (FMP) in Monterey where, with other Lex Mundi member representatives, they attended seminars and workshops covering a number of management issues, strategic planning, legal writing skills, law firm economics, accounting management and marketing development. Ways for optimising each firm’s membership to Lex Mundi were also discussed in detail.

August 2007
Vacancy at Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co: Corporate Lawyer/Associate

Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. are looking to recruit an experienced lawyer/associate in the field of Corporate Law. The position is available with immediate effect. Contract details, salary, benefits and prospects, will depend on qualifications and prior experience.

Applications and accompanying CVs will be treated confidentially. For further information, please contact Evelina Georgiades on 22 777000 during office hours, or email e.georgiades@chrysostomides.com.cy

July 2007
George Mountis and Stelios Hadjilambris join Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co.

During the past month, Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co has welcomed 2 new associates to its practice – Mr George Mountis and Mr Stelios Hadjilambris. George has joined the Litigation Department of our firm, whereas Stelios is part of the Corporate and Commercial Department team.

Mr Mountis only just joined our firm, as a Senior Associate, on 11th July 2007. Having completed his LL.B. (Hons) degree at the University of Kent, Canterbury, he went on to gain his LL.M at the London School of Economics and Political Science, specialising in Corporate and Commercial Law. He is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and was recently awarded a Diploma (Pass with Merit) on Economics of Competition Law, from King’s College London. He joins our firm following 4 years extensive work experience in the area of commercial litigation.

Mr Hadjilambris joined our firm on 1st July 2007. He completed his LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) at the University of Southampton and, following this, his LL.M. (Corporate Governance and Law) at Portsmouth University. He is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and a Graduate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

June 2007
Associate of our firm, Anna Rossides, in The International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers & Economists 2007

Dr. K Chrysostomides & Co proudly announce the inclusion of senior associate Anna Rossides in The International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers & Economists 2007. Ms Rossides was nominated by her peers as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the field of competition law. 

June 2007
Lex Mundi Managing Partners Conference

Partners of our firm, Dr. Kypros Chrysostomides and Eleni Chrysostomides, and Director of Personnel and Administration, Evelina Georgiades, attended the 2007 Lex Mundi Managing Partners Conference held in Paris, 7-9 June.  

More than 100 Lex Mundi member firms were represented at the conference, which was hosted in an impeccable way by the French Lex Mundi member, Gide Loyrette Nouel, in addition to sponsors and invited speakers. The conference opened with the introduction of the first workshop for New Managing Partners – an optional session which proved, however, to be extremely popular among new and experienced managing partners. Ideas, strategies and experiences were exchanged among attendees, and selected individuals made short presentations on related themed topics.

Plenary sessions included “The Role of the Managing Partner in Increasing the Value of Lex Mundi Membership” by the Lex Mundi President, Carl Anduri, and “Core Values for the Law Firm” – a session which explored the benefits of having a statement of values for firm members to abide by. Each conference attendee also took part in a total of 4 breakout sessions, which focused on a variety of issues, ranging from motivation and retention of young lawyers, to assessing performance via the client.

May, 2007
129th Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA)

Senior associate of our firm, Alexandros Georgiades,  attended INTA’s 19th Annual Meeting, which took place in Chicago, USA (28 April – 2 May 2007). Mr Georgiades participated in a number of outside counsel meetings, organised by client brand owners of our firm (including Burberry, British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC and Sony Ericsson), during which constructive discussions took place and specific case studies were presented, concentrating on the issues of protection and enforcement of IP rights, anti-counterfeiting work etc. in jurisdictions worldwide.

Mr Georgiades also represented our firm in meetings organised by Lex Mundi and WSG, which were held within the framework of the INTA Annual Meeting.  

May, 2007
Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. announce appointment of new Director of Personnel and Administration

Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. announce the appointment of Evelina Georgiades as the firm’s new Director of Personnel and Administration.

Ms Georgiades joined Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. in April 2007, taking over from Mr Andreas Samuel, who now represents the firm in Brussels. Having obtained her BSc and PhD from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, she remained at the University for a further 3 years, after being offered a research associate post. Her work has been published in a number of peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. In 2003 she assumed the position of Director of the Cyprus Olympic Committee.

Through her current post, Ms Georgiades is also responsible for marketing and promoting our firm, and acts as a liaison with the international law firm alliances and organisations of which Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. is a member.  

May, 2007
Lex Mundi Europe/Middle East/Africa Regional Conference

Dr. Kypros Chrysostomides and Ms Eleni Chrysostomides represented our firm at the Lex Mundi Europe/Middle East/Africa Regional Conference, which took place in Munich, Germany (3-5 May 2007).

Around 200 representatives from Lex Mundi member firms, in addition to individuals from the Client Advisory Council and sponsors, attended the conference. Included on the agenda were the popular Legal Writing Workshop, Client Advisory Council forums, M&A Analysis, and Practice Group meetings.  The “International Tax” Practice Group meeting, was one of four attended by Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. Our firm was represented at this meeting by Dr. Kypros Chrysostomides, who presented a detailed report on the current “Cyprus Tax Regime” (click on link below to view the presentation).   

Also on the conference agenda, was a presentation and discussion on the subject of “Best Practices in Referral Tracking”. One of the current themes in Lex Mundi’s strategic plan is to increase referrals among member firms. The session at the Munich conference was the very first to address the issue of best practices in referral tracking and the program developed by Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. for tracking referrals, was one of the three “good higher technology based systems” presented during the session, as an example that might be used  by other firms.

Click here to view the presentation “The Cyprus Tax Regime”

May, 2007
Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. announce the conclusion of a double tax treaty between Cyprus and the Seychelles

Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. announce the conclusion of an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Republic of the Seychelles for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital.

The agreement covers the following taxes for Cyprus: income tax; corporate income tax; special contribution for the defence of the Republic; immovable property tax and capital gains tax; whereas business tax is covered by the treaty for the Seychelles.  

Provisions relating to taxes connected to income from immovable property situated in one of the Contracting States; business profits; profits derived by an enterprise in one of the Contracting States from the operation of ships or aircraft; associated enterprises; dividends; interest; royalties; capital gains; income from employment; director’s fees; income derived by entertainers and sportspersons; payments to students and apprentices; other income and capital, are included in the agreement, which came into force as of 1 January 2007.

Further to the conclusion of the above mentioned agreement, Cyprus’ extensive network of double taxation treaties now covers a total of 43 states, including most European countries, the USA, Canada, China, India, South Africa, Singapore, Egypt, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon.

April, 2007
AIJA Central and Eastern Europe Regional Meeting, Prague

Ms Irene Argyrides and Ms Georgia Chrysostomides, both senior associates of our firm, attended the Central and Eastern Europe Regional Meeting of the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA), held in Prague on 27-28 April 2007. The conference was co-hosted by the CEELI Institute and the German Bar Association (Deutscher Anwaltverein).

April, 2007
16th Annual Conference on Advanced EC Competition Law

Ms Anna Rossides, a senior associate of our firm, attended the 16th Annual Conference on Advanced EC Competition Law, which was held in London, 23-24 April 2007.

The conference covered an advanced analysis of the major developments in the field of EC Competition Law and Policy during 2006, and the Commission’s initiatives for the future. Inter alia, the new fining guidelines for cartels, plea bargaining, Article 82 guidelines, merger developments and sectoral inquiries on energy and financial services, were considered.

April 2007
Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co. attends the WSG European Regional Meeting 2007

Partners of our firm, Dr. Kypros Chrysostomides and Ms Eleni Chrysostomides, attended the World Services Group (WSG) European Regional Meeting, which was held in Barcelona, Spain on 13 April, 2007.

The meeting included a keynote speech and panel discussion on “Arbitration and ADR; Their Role in International Business Conflicts” by experts in international arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution.

There were also sessions which focused on WSG strategic development and planning, current WSG member-to-member and internal firm initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and interaction among WSG members, future WSG expansion and updates on WSG programs and projects. In addition, emphasis was placed upon specific marketing initiatives targeted at improving WSG activity globally, and in local networks.

February, 2007
Updating of Hydrocarbon legislation - first Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Round Offshore Cyprus

The law regarding Hydrocarbons (Prospecting, Exploration and Exploitation) has recently been updated in order to be in full compliance with the relevant Directive of the European Parliament and Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons. The Hydrocarbons (Prospecting, Exploration and Exploitation) Regulations have also been completed.

In the meantime the Republic of Cyprus has decided to conduct the first Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Round Offshore Cyprus. This Exploration is scheduled to be officially opened on 15 February 2007 and to be closed on 16 July 2007.

The Government has entered into an agreement with the French firm Beicip-Franlab for consultancy and advisory services to the Ministry and evaluation of the exploration potential of offshore Cyprus and with the Norwegian firm Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) for the conduct of a non-exclusive, multi-client, 2D seismic survey offshore Cyprus. The data acquisition and processing have been completed, totaling 6,770 line-km of new 2D data in an area of approximately 70,000 km2.
A technical report is being prepared by Beicip-Franlab, which includes the regional geological regime, interpreted seismic sections, depth maps of key horizons, as well as petroleum play concepts. This, along with the PGS seismic data, will be required to be purchased by the prospective license applicants prior to the submission of their applications by the 16t" of July 2007, the closing date of the 1 St Licensing Round

7 – 10 June, 2006
Mr. Alexandros Georgiades, an associate of our firm, attended the European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA) 25th Annual Conference in Warsaw, Poland.  This meeting examined various aspects of the enforcement of IP rights and strategies for trade mark protection.

The provisions of Directive 2004/48/EC harmonizing the enforcement of IP rights and  Council Regulation EC/1383/2003 on border measures were presented and discussed.

Further,  recent developments in European and national case law relating to trade marks matters were analyzed, and special focus was placed on the issues of case law harmonization and public interest.

5 - 6 June, 2006
Ms. Anna Rossides, an associate of our firm, participated in the Lex Mundi Professional Development Summit, Europe and Middle East, which took place in Prague, Czech Republic.

The Summit Programme covered the fundamental issues for consideration and internal agreements needed for the successful establishment of a PD function: the link between PD and other support functions (such as HR management, business development, marketing, knowledge management and I.T.), the implementation of an in-house PD programme and much more.

18 - 19 May 2006
Ms. Irene Argyrides, an associate of our firm, participated in the Half Year Conference of AIJA (International Association of Young Lawyers) in Bratislava, Slovak Republic, which dealt with the general subject of “Due Diligence Procedure – a team play of specialists”.

Specific issues that were presented and discussed during the Conference included the purpose and basic elements of a Due Diligence procedure, labour law traps and pitfalls during a Due Diligence and the legal framework in Europe and Antitrust Due Diligence.

11 - 14 May 2006
Mr. Andreas Samuel, the Personnel and Administration Director of our firm, participated in the Lex Mundi Europe/Middle East/Africa Regional Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Issues that were presented and discussed at the Conference included, inter alia, an overview of the current state of independent law firms and the risks, challenges and opportunities they face, an in-depth discussion on strategic planning in law firms, training for lawyers, management styles in law firms, management of technology, etc.

January, 2006
Ms. Georgia Chrysostomides, simultaneously with her work at our firm, has also accepted a post as part-time researcher and tutor at the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Cyprus, for the period January 2006 – June 2006.  The topic of her research and teaching shall be Public International Law.

21-22 November, 2005
Mr. Alexandros Georgiades, an associate of the firm, participated in the “Conference on Quality in the European Patent System”, organised by the European Patent Academy at the European Patent Office (EPO), at The Hague, Netherlands.

The Conference program covered various aspects relating to the quality in the patents system and discussions took place on the steps that need to be taken to improve both the examination and enforcement processes of European patents.

October 2005
In October 2005 our firm received confirmation of the renewal of its membership of Lex Mundi for a full 8-year term.  The renewal was originally recommended unanimously by the Review Committee and finally approved by the Board of Directors following a review process, which covered the quality of services, the firm's compliance with the current Lex Mundi criteria and policies and the level of responsiveness to requests for services, free advice and free service facilities.

Dr. K. Chrysostomides & Co is the exclusive Lex Mundi member firm for Cyprus. Lex Mundi is the world’s leading association of independent law firms comprising of over 160 member firms.  Lex Mundi strives to offer uniform standards of excellence to the worldwide clients of its member  firms.

The key to Lex Mundi's success is the quality of the individual member firms and for this reason member selection criteria are very stringent and members are considered to be among the leading law firms in their jurisdictions.

25-30 September, 2005
A partner of the firm, Ms. Chryso Pitsilli-Dekatris, together with Ms. Georgia Chrysostomides, participated in the Annual International Bar Association Conference which took place in Prague, Czech Republic.

The Conference programme covered a vast range of topics, some of which are of special interest to our firm; including, but not limited to, banking law, taxation, corporate and competition law, public and private international law, and many more.

22-25 September, 2005
Ms. Chryso Pitsilli-Dekatris, together with Ms. Georgia Chrysostomides, also participated in the Lex Mundi Annual and Europe/Middle East/Africa Regional Conference in Prague, Czech Republic.

The events at the Conference included a legal writing workshop, various practice group meetings (one of which was chaired by Ms. Dekatris), a program on professionalism focusing on lawyers’ commitment to accountability and adequate distribution of legal services, and many more.  The Conference programme also included a truly memorable walking tour of Prague.

August-September, 2005
During the last four months, we have welcomed new members in our firm. The three new associates added to our team are Ms. Anthea Christofini, Mr. Lakis Christodoulou and Mr. Charalambos Stefanou. Anthea and Charalambos have joined the Corporate and Commercial Law Department whereas Lakis has joined the Litigation Department.

Ms. Christofini joined our firm on 1st August, 2005.   She completed her Bachelor of Laws at King's College, London and is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association. Her fields of practice in the firm include, among other subjects, Corporate law, Trusts, and European Law. She is currently doing an MBA at the Cyprus International Institute of Management.

Mr. Christodoulou joined our firm on 16th August, 2005.  He studied Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.  He is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and has gained considerable experience in the field of Administrative Law.  He has recently completed his Master of Arts studies at the Faculty of Laws of the University of Malta.

Mr. Stefanou joined our firm on 15th September, 2005. He studied Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association.   He completed his LL.M degree in European Law at the University of Essex in England.  His main areas of practice in the firm are Corporate and European Law.

September, 2005
As of the beginning of September, 2005, Ms. Christina Varnavides has taken up a new post with a bank in Cyprus and has therefore left our law firm, after six years of successful service.  We wish Christina all the best in her new career.