Andreas Coucounis & Co LLC

The firm:  In 2020 Andreas Coucounis & Co LLC completed 50 years of provision of legal services on the island of Cyprus, a milestone in the long-standing history of the firm.

Coucounis has recently undertaken a complete refurbishment of its premises in Larnaca and Nicosia, including total renewal of its IT and telephone/online communications infrastructure, making instant communication between its numerous offices and its clients whether on the island or abroad possible, thus responding to the demands and challenges of the current global ever-changing working environment.

Coucounis takes pride in its highly qualified and multilingual lawyer team and its ability to communicate efficiently and assist clients worldwide having as well a multilingual website www.coucounis.com, which is available in nine languages.

The firm has published ten volumes of rent control case law, which forms part of a collection of volumes covering 25 years of case law.

As part of its outward-looking approach and determination to serve its corporate and individual clients, the firm’s partners are members of the International Bar Association (IBA), the Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA), the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the International Fiscal Association, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) and the International Tax Planning Association (ITPA).

The firm is a full member of the international lawyers’ network “Asociation Europea de Abogados”.

Coucounis international profile comprises of strong cooperation with reputable worldwide law firms, particularly in USA, UK, Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East.

The firm is strong in both its litigation and corporate practices, as well as in regulatory and investment matters. In recent years, it has established its expertise in multi-jurisdictional corporate and investment projects in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Recently, the firm succeeded in being included on the local lawyers’ list of the Russian and Italian embassies in Cyprus, as well as continuing on the same lists of the US, UK, French and Qatari embassies.

In 2020 Coucounis successfully advised a global research and advisory firm in relation to a $2b intellectual property transaction.

In 2020 and continuing in 2021 Coucounis has been acting as advisor to a multinational IP group on their global IP restructuring.

In 2019 Coucounis won another public tender by the Larnaca Sewerage Board for the provision of legal services, thus becoming the Board’s legal counsel.

Coucounis strives to provide professional and highly efficient services to its diverse clientele which includes listed companies, private corporations, banking and insurance institutions, government entities and high-net-worth individuals.

In 2016 Coucounis formed part of the consortium of consultants that successfully bid for an international public tender by the Government of Cyprus for the appointment of a reputable independent advisor with extensive relevant expertise to provide professional services regarding (i) the long term development of the wider area of Troodos’ mountain, and (ii) the private sector participation in specific real estate assets in Troodos, through either a long-term lease and/or licence and/or right to use/exploit them.

Areas of practice

• Admiralty and shipping law
• Banking and finance law
• Corporate and commercial law
• Employment law
• Entertainment-media and sports
• EU and competition law, telecommunications and regulation
• Family law
• Immigration and citizenship
• Intellectual property
• Investment funds, asset management and IPOs
• Litigation and arbitration
• Oil and gas, energy and construction
• Private client and tax
• Real estate and immovable property law

The firm’s work in EU, competition and telecoms law has been considerable. The litigation department continues its strong presence in cases involving securities legislation, cross-border disputes, securing of title deeds, debt recovery and negligence cases, as well as matrimonial cases. One of the firm’s main areas of practice is corporate law and M&A. The firm provides valuable services in this area, having advised companies who are leaders in their field of work in their countries. Over the years the firm has been actively involved in the legal affairs of large foreign property groups who have made substantial investments in the commercial property sector in central London and in the US.

The firm is involved in the formation and effective management and administration of Cypriot companies and international trusts used in many commercial activities abroad. The favourable Cypriot tax regime, Cyprus’ increasing number of double taxation treaties and a recent modern law on international trusts allow the firm to provide its international clientele with a wide variety of choices and solutions for tax-efficient transactions and asset ownership all around the world.

Coucounis has also acquired knowledge and experience in advising clients on the setting-up of Cypriot Investment Firms and Funds, a growing sector on the island of Cyprus.

The immovable property law department offers comprehensive, all-round advice to foreign clients. The wills and probate department is active in the administration of estates and advises clients on wills.

The firm takes an active role in assisting foreign companies with their legal matters involving the offshore hydrocarbons industry of the island, as Cyprus enters the prestigious league of countries that have unexplored oil and gas resources.

The firm has been retained over the years by many foreign and local companies to advice on the exploitation, restructuring and protection of their intellectual property rights in Cyprus and worldwide, as well as by wealthy individuals wanting to participate in Cyprus’ permanent residence programs.