Elia and Elia offers experienced and comprehensive help for a wide range of needs. Litigation Services Our firm has maintained a premier position in the world of Litigation in Cyprus since 1989. We have extensive expertise in litigating in almost every aspect of the Law, always leading with a client-tailored approach. Our experienced litigation team can provide solid advice, whether immediate action is required for an interim order application or for a long-standing lawsuit before the District Courts or Supreme Court of Cyprus. The services provided by our litigation department, include but are not limited to: Representation in disputes before all courts and tribunals in Cyprus. Case management and guidance, to avoid lengthy and costly lawsuits. Advice on litigation proceedings and procedures. Advice on alternative dispute resolution methods and representation in Arbitration and Mediation bodies, whenever applicable. Arbitrator services. Legal research and preparation of legal opinion papers, in almost every aspect of the Law. LABOUR LAW We are confident in saying that this is our area of expertise. With 28 years of history in this area of practice, our team can provide specialist advice on all aspects of Cyprus Labour Law, both contentious and non-contentious, in matters including unfair dismissal, redundancy, constructive dismissal, protection of maternity, health and safety and discrimination in the workplace. Our firm has a history of successfully presenting cases before the Employment Courts throughout Cyprus, both on behalf of employers and employees. Over the years we have acquired the required know-how to liaise with the Immigration Department, Labour Department and all other local and governmental authorities as efficiently as possible. Areas in which we also excel involve the negotiation and drafting of tailor-made contracts of employment, collective agreements, as well as the structuring of various codes of conduct and obligations for both employers and employees, as well as employers’ handbooks, internal regulations and industrial manuals. Whatever the nature of the business, we always take into consideration the protection of employees, employment policy considerations and health and safety issues. REAL ESTATE LAW Our firm can assist in the negotiation, drafting and execution of sale, purchase and leasing agreements tailored for local or international, corporate or individual clients. Over the years our Lawyers have acquired extensive knowledge on all procedural steps regarding the sale, acquisition, disposal and conveyance of private and commercial property also liaising and facilitating the approval process with the Tax Department, Land Registry Office and all other local and governmental authorities. RENTAL CONTROL Our experienced Lawyers can assist our clients, whether landlord(s) or tenant(s), in protecting their rights in matters related to property, ranging from the negotiation, drafting and execution of rental and leasing contracts, to matters such as recovery of possession in general, as well as recovery of possession of ‘controlled rented property’ by ‘statutory tenants’, rent review, as well as fair rent determination and rent arrears claims before the Rent Control Courts. FAMILY LAW Our firm enjoys a history of 28 years in this sensitive area of practice. Our Lawyers have always taken great effort in negotiating with our clients, using the help of external professionals such as child-psychologists and family consultants, in an effort to find real-life solutions which help our clients and their family members to move forward and regain their lives. Our efforts in cases involving minors are focused on their best interest, trying to resolve matters in the most amicable, stress-free and economic way. Our Lawyers are qualified to handle the full range of family law disputes, including but not limited to: Separation and divorce. Asset and financial division. Child and Spouse Alimony. Child custody and communication rights. Paternity actions. Adoption. Injunctive relief, modifications and all other ancillary matters. CRIMINAL LAW Our Lawyers are highly experienced in handling various types of criminal offences ranging from minor, such as road traffic offences, to serious offences, such as fraud, crimes in relation to property, drug offences, rape and serious felonies. Our focus in this sensitive area of practice is the protection of our clients’ rights, securing the right to a fair trial and securing the most lenient outcome possible. Other areas of litigation handled by our Firm in the past 30 years include: All aspects of civil litigation. Tort litigation involving all kinds of damage, injury or wrongful act, whether caused willfully, negligently or in circumstances involving strict liability. Insurance disputes between Insurance companies and insured individuals or corporate bodies, representing such before court. We can also review and negotiate insurance policies and claims before resorting to litigation. Medical negligence claims. Personal injury claims. Road traffic accidents. Debt Recovery and Collection proceedings. Enforcement of foreign judgments or arbitral awards. Corporate Services Our corporate department is well equipped to offer solid advice and guidance on all matters related to corporate law. We cater to each client’s individual needs, in the most cost-effective manner. Our all-encompassing strategy is what sets us apart from the competition and is integral to achieving optimal asset protection, succession planning, tax optimization and corporate consolidation. Our team of fully qualified lawyers, associate accountants, auditors and tax experts secure the level of professionalism and confidentiality required by our corporate clients. The services offered by our corporate department range from, but are not limited to: INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES Incorporation of any type of Cyprus entity, as well as other jurisdictions such as BVI, Malta, UK, Russia and Iran, utilizing the advantages of wider international tax planning. In addition to this, we cater to Cyprus shelf companies. REGISTERED OFFICE AND SECRETARIAL SERVICES Provision of registered office address as well as company secretarial services. NOMINEE SERVICES Provision of Cyprus-resident nominee shareholder(s) and director(s) either individual or corporate, to utilize the wide network of Cyprus double tax treaties. ADMINISTRATION SERVICES AND SUBSTANCE SOLUTIONS Daily administration of the company involving amongst others, routine correspondence and postal services, translation services, preparation and execution of resolutions, payment of utility bills and invoices, record keeping, evidencing that the company is managed and controlled in Cyprus thus enhancing the substance of the company. BANKING SUPPORT SERVICES Liaising with all major Banks in Cyprus, as well as opening and management of bank accounts, thus securing nominal involvement of our clients in time-consuming paperwork and other procedures. Moreover, we can assist clients with registration with the Income Tax and VAT authorities. ACCOUNTING, AUDIT AND BOOKKEEPING SERVICES Made to order for the specific needs of each client, the accounting services we offer include but are not limited to; compiling and management of accounts, bookkeeping and reporting, invoice preparation and payments, payroll and social insurance payments, as well as, preparation and submission of VAT returns. In addition, we also cater for annual audited financial statements, prepared on our behalf, by an associate independent licensed audit firm, unless the client specifies an audit firm of their preference. INTERNATIONAL TAX PLANNING, CYPRUS TAX PLANNING AND VAT Delivered via our tax expert partners, providing practical and tax-efficient guidance and solutions to corporate and individual clients in the context of both international and local transactions, in order to achieve full tax optimization. LEGAL AND FISCAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE We offer advice to company director(s) and shareholder(s) on compliance matters, quoting the relevant regulations introduced post-crisis in an effort to alleviate the turmoil of the financial crisis and increase consumer protection. Our advice is tailored to helping our clients avoid fines, sanctions and other measures that could stem from a lack of regulatory compliance in today’s stricter climate. REORGANIZATION, INSOLVENCY AND LIQUIDATION OF COMPANIES We offer advice to company directors and shareholders, company creditors and insolvency practitioners on pre-insolvency considerations, matters such as wrongful trading and director’s duties, strategies for corporate recovery including corporate finance, share transfers, buying and selling of public and private companies and businesses, divisions and re-organizations, Mergers and Acquisitions, setting up of joint ventures as well as on all aspects of insolvency procedures and litigation and liquidation of companies. Last but not least we offer advice in Corporate Restructuring involving cross-border transactions such as group restructuring and transfer of corporate seats governed by wider tax planning considerations. COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS We offer advice and guidance on all matters related to Intellectual Property protection, ranging from but not limited to; registry searches and registration, clearance, enforcement and exploitation, prosecution and passing off of domestic and international trade names, trademarks, patents and industrial designs. Fiduciary Services We are dedicated to offering quality advice in the management and administration of estates and trusts, tailored to each client to meet their specific needs. We draw upon wider tax planning, asset protection considerations with the possibility of incorporating trusts within corporate structures. Innovative thinking is of prime importance in today’s fast-changing regulatory environment. PROBATES AND WILLS Our services in the area of Trust Law include: Advice on various types of trusts, such as commercial, charitable, private and purpose trusts. Advice on trustee duties and liabilities. Reviewing, negotiation and drafting of trust deeds and escrow agency agreements. Establishment, resettlement, restructuring and termination of trusts. International trust formation. Offering Trustee Services. Acting in contentious and non-contentious trust disputes. TRUSTS Our firm enjoys a successful 30 year history in the drafting and execution of wills and dealing with the administration of estates as well as undertaking probate and re-sealing work. Over the years we have become very familiar with all procedures required to administrate the estate of a deceased person, whether in Cyprus or abroad. We are highly experienced in offering advice to foreigners living in Cyprus, on the planning, drafting and execution of international trusts, to cater for their estate, offering trustee services for such estates. Moreover our Lawyers are well accustomed to probate litigation and estate litigation involving will contests when grounds for doubting the authenticity of a will exists. Immigration Services Our Immigration department is well-equipped to assist clients who seek to obtain Cypriot citizenship and residence permits in Cyprus. The services offered, go from the initial assessment of the eligibility of interested candidates all the way through to the submission of the application to the relevant authorities and monitoring the status of the application under examination. Our aim is to facilitate and expedite the application process and to ensure that our clients’ applications are completed and submitted accurately. Over the years we have acquired the required know-how to liaise with the Immigration Department, Labour Department and all other local and governmental authorities as efficiently as possible. Services offered include: Individual and collective applications. Acquisition of Permanent Residence Permits (Category F) Temporary Residence Permits. Employment Permits for individuals as well as executive directors and managerial staff. Acquisition of Cyprus Citizenship by Exception. ACQUISITION OF CYPRUS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT. This category of naturalization is granted to foreign investors, their spouses and children as well as financially dependent adult children. Candidates are usually highly qualified and reputable entrepreneurs looking for an alternative base for their business and access to the European Union. The latest revision of the procedure and financial criteria for foreign investors, who wish to obtain Cyprus citizenship, has been announced by the Council of Ministers on 13/09/16, providing even more favorable options of investing in Cyprus and greater flexibility. ACQUISITION OF RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT. Selecting the appropriate residency program is critical for clients who wish to obtain a residency permit. Cyprus Residency by investment gives the right to non-EU nationals to permanently reside in Cyprus, with no renewal requirements. Alternatively, EU nationals can obtain the right to reside permanently in Cyprus and include their non-EU family members. GDPR Services GDPR CONSULTING AND COMPLIANCE The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, (“GDPR”), effective as of May 25th 2018, applies to any business or organization that processes personal data belonging to individuals or ‘data subjects’ within the European Union. Superseding the previous EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC, GDPR provides enhanced protection to individuals and proposes a set of rules that help those individuals enforce their rights, against abusive personal data processing. Non-compliant ‘controllers’ and/or ‘processors’ of personal data, may be faced with significant fines of up to the highest of 4% of global business turnover or €20 million, depending on the breach. In this respect, Elia & Elia L.L.C. can assist any business or organization with corporate assessment, guidance and implementation of personal data protection policies, as well as with a series of structural, technical and other safety measures, to ensure maximum compliance with the GDPR. Our services in this field include: Assessment of current status of compliance of companies/organisations in light of the enhanced requirements of the GDPR. Drafting and implementing tailored-made data protection policies and intra-company / intra-group processes related to the processing of personal data. Providing in-house training to personnel on GDPR provisions. Data Protection Officer (DPO) appointment services Mediation Services Mediation defined simply is a flexible dispute resolution procedure conducted in the sphere of confidentiality, by an independent Mediator. It is the Mediator’s role to assist the parties of a dispute to work together and around their dispute, with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable and amicable settlement. This will always be done in a way that takes into account the broader range of interests and needs of both parties. Advantages of mediation as compared to the traditional Judicial system of dispute resolution is the avoidance of lengthy and costly Court procedures, confidentiality and the parties’ own involvement in the reaching of an amicable settlement. We aim to lead each practice and area of law that we work in. Coming from an in-depth understanding of the law and our industry, capitalizing on extensive experience, we provide hands-on advice that speaks the language of our clients’ business. PRIVACY POLICY DISCLAIMERS PRIVACY STATEMENT LinkedIn Facebook QUICK CONTACT Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your Message