We are excited to announce that Elias Neocleous & Co LLC will be participating in the 19th NextGen Payments & RegTech Forum, an elite gathering of global key influencers, innovators, strategists, and thought leaders in Payments and RegTec, taking place on 6-7 November at the Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol, Cyprus.

In an interview with Phileleftheros, Andrea Kallis Parparinou, Partner at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC’s Nicosia office, shares insights into her legal career journey, discusses the evolution of Cyprus’s regulatory framework and the role of technology in modernising legal practice, and notes the importance of the appointment of women in influential positions in tech.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involve complex due diligence processes to identify risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage vast amounts of information under tight deadlines. Effective due diligence helps buyers mitigate post-transaction risks by gathering insights into the target company’s operations, legal standing, and potential liabilities. Key strategies include assembling a multidisciplinary team, tailoring the scope of review to the deal’s specific needs, and conducting thorough compliance checks, especially in relation to global sanctions. A well-managed due diligence process not only facilitates smoother transactions but also helps buyers make informed decisions while minimising unnecessary costs and delays.

In a special ceremony held at the Cyprus University of Technology Rector’s Office, 5 scholarships totalling a sum of 5 thousand Euros were awarded by our firm to students of the university. The scholarships were awarded to students with financial problems who had a proven desire and ability to study, improving their prospects in life.

With the aim of strengthening the principle of equal pay for equal work between men and women, the EU Council and European Parliament adopted, on 10 May 2023, the EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970 (the “Directive”) which must be transposed into national law by 7th June 2026.

The inaugural Women in STEM Cyprus Forum, held on October 8 at the Kolla Cultural Factory in Limassol, made a resounding call for systemic reform to boost female representation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  

The Bank of New York has awarded the Bank of Cyprus the “STP AWARD 2023” for the third consecutive year, recognising the high-quality procedures the Bank follows in the area of fund transfers via the SWIFT system.

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) on Tuesday reported that the total assets under management (AUM) for the country’s collective investment sector reached €9.4 billion in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 2.88 per cent increase from the first quarter.

Over the past decade, the rise of cryptocurrencies has led to increased litigation, particularly in cases involving allegations of fraud. A recent decision by the Nicosia District Court in JDH & others v. T Ltd & others highlights the growing number of spurious claims against investment firms, often brought by investors seeking to recover losses from poor investment decisions. In this case, the investors obtained ex parte injunctions against T Ltd, alleging fraud and conspiracy. However, evidence presented by T Ltd revealed that the investors had willingly engaged in cryptocurrency trading and failed to disclose critical facts to the court. The court ultimately criticised the applicants for non-disclosure and stressed the equitable principle that “He who seeks equity must do equity.” This case underscores the importance of full and frank disclosure in applications for injunctive relief and the high standards of good faith required when invoking the court’s equitable jurisdiction.

Cyprus’ trade deficit reached €4.98 billion in the January-August period, down 18.5 per cent compared to €6.12 billion in the same timeframe last year, according to a report by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).