Команда

“A first rate legal and commercial adviser with years of cross-border Experience” – Legal 500 Latest Edition

Menelaos Kyprianou is the managing partner of the firm and specialises in the field of litigation with a cross border element.

He is repeatedly instructed by leading London and European law firms to act for their clients in Cyprus and has been consistently ranked as a leading lawyer by all the renowned publications. The European Legal 500 Directory as far back as in its 2015 Edition has described him as “an outstanding lawyer” while according to the Chambers Europe 2015 directory Menelaos is “relied on by clients for his excellent support in corporate disputes”.

Beyond his work as an advocate, Menelaos has also acted as an expert witness on Cyprus law in the context of a number of foreign proceedings. He has also advised a number of leading local and international companies as well as state authorities.

In 2014 Menelaos was appointed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus as a member of the team advising the President and the chief negotiator in relation to the talks that are taking place with the Turkish Cypriot community with the aim of reuniting Cyprus. Specifically, Menelaos was appointed in the team which advised on issues of European Union law.

In 2024 Menelaos was again appointed by the new elected President in the same team.

Menelaos was also a member of the board of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission during the years 2007 – 2011.

Cases that have created a precedent:

Menelaos has been the lead advocate in a number of cases before the Supreme Court of Cyprus that have created binding precedents and which are often cited and followed by lower courts:

1. Grandest Shipping Company Limited v The Ship ‘Marvin Independence’ Admiralty case 9/2021 dated 28/1/2022 – the Supreme Court examined the circumstances under which a ship arrest warrant can be issued in support of a claim pending in another EU member state.
2. Hellenic Bank Limited v S.G. Massif Ltd (2008) 1 AAD 794 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 10/7/2008. This judgment created an important precedent on the circumstances under which the liquidation of a bank guarantee issued in relation to the performance of a contract can be declared unlawful.
3. Commerzbank Auslandbansken Holding A.G and another v Adeona Holdings Limited – Civil Appeal E6/2014 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 27/2/2015. In this judgment the Supreme Court set out the conditions that must be met for the issuance of injunctive relief in support of foreign arbitral proceedings and also made important pronouncements regarding the need for full and frank disclosure in ex-parte applications.
4. In relation to application filed by Bitzios – Civil Application 81/2020 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 30/7/2020. This judgment sets out the powers of District Courts to issue disclosure of assets orders on an ex-parte basis and is also relevant on the scope of prerogative order applications.
5. Lariena v RFI Consortium Limited – Civil Appeal 164/19 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 22/1/2021. This judgment relates to the pre-requisites for the issuance of interim injunctions. It is one of the most recent Supreme Court of Cyprus judgments addressing the relevant conditions.
6. AP Lanitis Investments Ltd. v Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State for Defence (1999) 1 CLR 995. This judgment is often cited in relation to the applicable principles for valid service abroad to be effected.
7. Nicola Huxtable v Blue Med Hotels Limited (1998) 1 CLR 1542 – this judgment is often cited by lower courts in relation to the applicable principles related to occupiers’ liability.
8. Attalides v Rodoulis (2004) 1 CLR 1690 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 20/10/2004. This judgment is often cited by lower courts in relation to the defence, in the context of a defamation claim, of fair comment on a matter of public interest.
9. Varianou v Vorka (2010) 1 CLR 1541 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 24/9/2010. This judgment is often cited by lower courts in relation to the requirement that patients must provide their informed consent before an operation.

Other important cases

Menelaos has also been the lead advocate in a number of other cases that stand out either because of their complexity or the novel points of law that have been addressed in them:

1. Was the lead advocate and had the case management in three related LCIA arbitrations concerning a dispute arising out of a share sale agreement concerning the Kazakhstan port authorities for a consideration in the region of USD 300,000,000.
2. Neocleous v Iakovou – Civil Case 1024/98 – judgment of the District Court of Nicosia dated 13/9/2000. The case concerned the successful defence of Mr. Iakovou who at the time was a candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus in the 1998 elections. A few months before these elections he faced a law suit filed by an individual alleging breach of her privacy rights. The judgment examined novel points of law on the right to privacy.
3. In relation to KM Technologies Limited – Civil Application 15/2008 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 7/3/2008. The case concerned a certiorari application in relation to the lawfulness of the form of security ordered by the District Court for the issuance of an ex-parte injunction in a cross-border dispute.
4. Trafalgar Development Limited v Uralchem Holding Limited – Civil Appeal 331/2017 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 24/4/2018. This judgment is relevant in relation to the applicable principles of reflective loss and as to when a shareholder can advance a derivative claim on behalf of the company.
5. Libra Capital Ltd. and others v Bank of Cyprus – case 3865/2019 of the District Court of Nicosia – judgment dated 3/3/2020 – in this case the District Court of Nicosia issued an extensive Norwich Pharmacal (disclosure) order against the Bank of Cyprus in relation to the movement of a number of accounts of natural persons and legal entities allegedly involved in an elaborate fraud scheme.
6. In relation to Rostovtsev – Civil Application 40/2020 – judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus dated 30/4/2020. The judgment sets out the pre-requisites for the lawful service, in the context of a cross border fraud case, of an indictment on a Russian citizen on the basis of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
7. In re Coral Group Finance – General Application 283/17 – judgment of the District Court of Nicosia dated 8/2/2021. With this important judgment the District Court of Nicosia held that a foreign judgment can be enforced in Cyprus even in cases where none of the parties are based in Cyprus.
8. Chona Holdings Limited v Ioannidou and another – case 3576/2018 of the District Court of Nicosia – judgment dated 31/3/2021 – in this case the District Court ordered the issuance of Norwich Pharmacal (disclosure) orders against two directors of a Cyprus company so that they reveal details of the assets of the company and other information required for the institution by our client of court proceedings in overseas jurisdictions.
9. Is presently involved in one of the largest and most complex white collar disputes to reach the Cyprus courts. In this case Menelaos is representing the owners of an internationally renowned company dealing amongst others in shipping and energy. The owners filed a case in Cyprus alleging fraud and misappropriation of funds against a high-ranking employee and a number of co-conspirators.
10. On behalf of a major German bank obtained an anti-suit injunction prohibiting a Cypriot entity of Russian interests from proceeding with a claim against it in the Russian courts.
11. Represented Grivalia Hospitality S.A, a substantial Greek based company currently holding 38 high end projects in the hospitality sector. The representation concerned a shareholders’ dispute in relation to the world famous Amanzoe Resort. Interim injunctions had been issued against our client in support of arbitration proceedings before the ICC in London. We defended our client in the proceedings in Cyprus and the issued injunctions were discharged.
12. Succeeded in having a judgment issued by the LCIA (for a total amount exceeding EURO 100 million) registered and executed in Cyprus. The application was a particularly complex one because for various reasons the original agreements on the basis of which the dispute had been referred to arbitration were not in the possession of the applicant (its production is a pre-requisite for the registration of the award). The court however allowed surrounding circumstantial evidence to be taken into account and allowed the application. The case is very important as it shows that the modern tendency of the courts is not to adopt an overly formalistic approach.
13. Has advised the international firm of Alvarez and Marshal (‘A&M’) in relation to the latter’s appointment as independent experts by the Central Bank of Cyprus to carry out an investigation on the events which led the two largest banks in Cyprus to require state assistance. Menelaos advised A&M on Cyprus law issues which arose in the context of their appointment.
14. Represented a Forbes listed Russian businessman in relation to the resolution of a dispute arising from a joint venture valued at USD 15 billion. Successfully obtained interim measures in the Cyprus courts forbidding the defendants to deal in the assets in question. Managed to keep these orders in force until a favourable settlement was reached. In the process successfully resisted a certiorari (prerogative order) application filed by the defendants in the Supreme Court of Cyprus with which they were seeking the annulment of the said interim orders.

Appearances in courts or arbitral tribunals as an expert witness

Menelaos appeared as an expert witness on a number of occasions before courts or arbitral tribunals.

1. Appeared as an expert witness before the Svea Court of Appeal in Stockholm, Sweden. Menelaos testified and was cross – examined on the validity under Cyprus law of a specific arbitration clause.
2. Appeared as an expert witness before the Vienna District Court. The case concerned the interpretation of an arbitration clause under Cyprus law.
3. Provided to a Russian court, in the context of a pending case, his expert legal opinion on the applicability of EU Regulation 1215/12 under Cyprus law.
4. Has been called as an expert witness on Cyprus Financial Law in arbitration proceedings before the Moscow Chamber of Commerce. Menelaos gave his written and oral expert opinion on whether the entering into of two non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts should be considered an investment activity requiring prior authorization.

Notable clients

Menelaos has provided legal advice to leading local and international companies as well as to state authorities. Some notable examples are:

1. The US Embassy in Cyprus
2. The US State Department
3. Pfizer
4. Siemens
5. GT Gettaxi Limited (GETT)
6. Alvarez and Marsal
7. Altius Insurance Company
8. Eurobank
9. Redflex
10. DP World
11. Goldman Sachs
12. United Dutch Brewery B.V.

Interviews

• • Interview to Cyprus Business News in September 2025:
    https://www.cbn.com.cy/article/118836/menelaos-kyprianou-speedy-and-effective-justice-will-open-the-door-for-more-important-businesses-to-choose-to-invest-in-cyprus
  • Interview to Cyprus edition of Forbes magazine in May 2025:
    https://www.philenews.com/oikonomia/article/1715633/menelaos-kiprianou-tis-michael-kyprianou-law-fi-irm-themelio-tis-eterias-mas-i-parochi-piotikon-nomikon-ipiresion/
    And in English version:
    https://en.philenews.com/insider/forbes-menelaos-kyprianou-a-competent-and-motivated-workforce-is-key-for-the-provision-of-quality-services/
  • Interview to Cyprus Business News in September 2024:
    https://www.cbn.com.cy/article/117591/menelaos-kyprianou-seeing-our-country-faring-badly-in-international-tables-is-unacceptable
  • Interview to Gold magazine in August 2024:
    https://www.magloft.com/app/goldmagazine#/reader/52057/1852114
    Interview to Gold magazine in 2024:
    https://www.facebook.com/MiKyprianou/photos/gold-magazine-interviewed-our-firms-managing-partner-menelaos-kyprianou-in-its-l/1047032973814300/
  • Interview to Cyprus Business News in January 2024:
    https://www.cbn.com.cy/article/110892/menelaos-kyprianou-generalised-accusations-against-our-country-should-not-be-tolerated
  • Interview to Business Focus magazine in November 2023:
    https://businessfocus.org.uk/interview-with-menelaos-kyprianou-managing-partner-michael-kyprianou-co-cyprus/
  • Interview to CSN in July 2021:
    https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/07/07/an-outstanding-lawyer-takes-shipping-seriously/
  • Interview to Washington Times in July 2020:
    https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jul/9/a-top-tier-award-winning-law-firm-in-cyprus/

Presentations

1. Presentation at the Cyprus Diaspora Forum on ‘The evolution of legal services in Cyprus’:
   https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/speakers-cont
2. AIJΑ conference in Limassol (19/11/04) – made a presentation on the topic: «Bringing an EU Based Law Case before National Courts: How Does It Work? A Real-Life Case Study».
3. Chaired the 1st Annual Cyprus Anti-Money Laundering Forum held in Nicosia on the 24th November 2008.
4. Made a presentation at the C5 forum in London in 2014 on the interim measures available to litigants in Cyprus in cross border cases.

Publications

• Menelaos for many years was the Cyprus contributor of ‘The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review.’:
  https://tinyurl.com/37mpxa83
• Submitted a thesis at the FIDE (Federation International de Droit Europeene) conference held in Dublin in June 2004 on the subject “Criminal Law in the European Union: A Giant Leap or a Small Step?”