STELIOS AMERICANOS & CO LLC

The firm: Stelios Americanos & Co LLC is a full-service commercial law firm with its headquarters in Nicosia, specialising in corporate and commercial law, banking finance, litigation, tax and financial advisory services.

The firm assembled a dynamic team working with cutting-edge technology and quickly established an enviable reputation for providing an efficient and competent service. It has become a leading niche firm for corporate work. The firm’s clients are guaranteed continuous and tailored support combined with a positive and constructive approach, and the ability to solve complex legal and tax problems with a business-oriented mentality.

The firm has an impressive list of local and international clientele that includes major banking and finance institutions, investment firms, industrial organisations, major contractors, leading international law firms, multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals.

The firm has worldwide contacts with reputable legal and advisory practices and is able to assist clients with all aspects of their cross- border transactions.

The firm regularly advises governmental and semi-governmental organisations, major financial banking institutions, public companies, single-owned start-ups and multinational corporations in high profile asset finance, project finance and securitisation and on complex cross-border transactions including mergers and acquisitions and restructuring.

The firm has also established an excellent reputation for its corporate litigation department, achieving remarkable results in a number of high profile litigation cases involving cross-border transactions.

Members of the firm are very active in various professional associations and take part as speakers in international conferences and seminars while regularly publishing articles and contributions in a variety of matters related to Cyprus law.

Recent awards include: ‘Banking and Finance Law Firm of the Year in Cyprus for 2016’ by Corporate International Global Awards and ’Cyprus Corporate and Commercial Law Firm of the Year 2017’ by ACQLAW.

Areas of practice
Corporate: formation, acquisition and dissolution of companies in Cyprus and abroad; corporate governance management and secretarial services; insolvency services; trustee fiduciary services; advising on shareholders issues, including advice on the drafting negotiation and implementation of subscription and shareholders’ agreements; capital increases, equity contribution and differentiation of class rights venture capital financing; and redomiciliation of companies.

Commercial: cross-border transactions and joint ventures; agency, distributorship and franchise agreements; private and public offerings and takeovers; sophisticated structures involving Cyprus entities; securities law compliance; and all intellectual aspects of commercial transactions.

Real estate and construction:  The firm’s real estate team deals with all matters related to immovable properties.

The firm advises both individual and corporate clients on:

•  Property due diligence
• Advising on and negotiating the terms of acquisitions, sales and transfers
• Advising on financing and licensing involving commercial and residential property
• Sale-purchase agreements
• Acquisition of property by non-residents
• Property management for non-residents
• Review, negotiation, drafting and conclusion of construction agreements and rental agreements.
• Wills, probate and re-sealing’s and estate administration

Mergers and acquisitions: structuring and tax optimisation of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures; financial and tax due diligence in connection with acquisitions involving Cyprus companies; drafting and negotiation of subscription/share purchase agreements, shareholders and joint venture agreements; legal and tax advice on corporate, regulatory, securities, competition, labour and enforcement matters.

Banking and finance: reviewing or drafting of project finance and security documentation; advice on the priority, perfection and enforcement of different types of securities; advice on corporate and tax matters; advice on stamp duty and proper execution of documents; advice on conflict of law issues; issuance of the relevant legal opinions covering corporate power authority and the legality, validity and enforceability of the Cyprus law governed documents.

Litigation and arbitration: national and international arbitration; banking and financial; stock exchange and securities legislation; taxation; bankruptcy; enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitration awards; pursuing interim pre-emptive remedies.

Innovation and blockchain: Regulatory and legal compliance of blockchain companies concerning licensing, GDPR, structure, jurisdiction, criminal litigation and digital asset investigation.