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Name: 2e-law
Address: Nicosia, CY

News & updates

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On 03.09.2024, the parliamentary committee on employment commenced the debate over three new proposed bills that will provide the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance with two new tools in the context of cracking down on undeclared, illegal and underreported employment. In particular, the proposed bills will allow the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance to issue a decree, making it mandatory for an employer to declare the details of the information on the material terms of employment of their employees in the Ministry's information system, and will give authority to labour inspectors to impose an extrajudicial fine of Euro 1.000 on an employer, in case of undeclared work, even if it is illegal employment. At present, an employer who is found to be employing an employee illegally is subject to an administrative fine, while they are required to pay contributions to the Social Insurance Fund for the months of employment during which the contributions were not paid (aside from any criminal liability).
Οn 2 May 2024, the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance issued a new decree concerning the professions permitted for students that are third-country nationals. Pursuant to the new decree, the students must have been present in Cyprus on 1 March 2024, in order to be allowed the right to work, provided the relevant documentation mentioned in the said decree are submitted to the Department of Labour. The professions are related to trade, healthcare, housework, manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, animal care, food industry, hospitality industry, and certain other forms of manual labour.
On March 13, 2024, the European Parliament formally adopted the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (“AI Act”) with a large majority of 523-46 votes in favor of the legislation. The AI Act is the world’s first horizontal and standalone law governing AI, and a landmark piece of legislation for the EU.

PRACTICE AREAS

PRACTICE
AREAS

EMPLOYMENT

We offer comprehensive advisory services covering a spectrum of employment-related matters, including, but not limited, to the hiring and termination of employees, redundancies, employee rights during mergers and transfers of undertakings, employee share option schemes, parental, maternity and paternity leave, sickness, misconduct procedures, HR issues, whistleblowing procedures, equality and diversity, compliance with anti-discrimination legislation, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and issues related to provident and pension funds. Recognising the challenges posed by market instability, increased life expectancy, and pension fund deficits, employers prioritise pension risk management. We play a crucial role in assisting both employers and employees in developing and managing pension programmes that adhere to legislative and regulatory requirements, while also considering potential tax implications. Widely recognised for leading expertise in employment law, one of our founding partners is also recommended as a Rising Star in Employment Law for Cyprus by Legal 500 EMEA for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. We also note that both our founding partners are Vice Chairperson and Member of the Employment Law Commission of the Cyprus Bar Association.

IMMIGRATION & CITIZENSHIP

Our firm extends support in cases involving the employment of non-EU citizens in executive roles within companies of foreign interests, navigating them through the specialised procedures for obtaining relevant residence and employment permits, along with family reunification permits for their dependents. Additionally, we aid EU employees in their registration with local authorities, following a more simplified process. In the realm of immigration law, our involvement spans applications for permanent residency, catering to pensioners and other clients eligible for long-term residency permits. Moreover, we possess significant expertise in facilitating applications for Cyprus citizenship for eligible individuals.

COMPETITION

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in antitrust proceedings and competition litigation, particularly across Europe, driven by record-breaking fines imposed by the European Commission and national competition authorities, leading to a surge in appeals against infringement decisions. Competition issues play a pivotal role in numerous corporate and commercial transactions, and our legal team excels in providing practical, commercial advice on intricate national and European competition law matters. With unparalleled skills and experience, our lawyers have successfully guided clients in the past through compliance with antitrust regulation, assistance with notifications of concentrations of major importance, as well as legal representation in both administrative proceedings and of the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition and judicial recourses against decisions of the said Commission. Our lawyers’ extensive expertise in advising on complex, high-value, and sensitive competition cases spans various key industry sectors, including financial services, infrastructure, maritime sector, transport, technology and innovation. Our ultimate goal is to empower clients to achieve their strategic commercial objectives. Widely recognised for leading expertise in competition law, one of our founding partners is also recommended as a Rising Star in EU & Competition Law for Cyprus by Legal 500 EMEA for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

DATA PROTECTION

We can provide frequent counsel to a diverse clientele, encompassing both local and international entities. Our prior expertise extends to guiding such clients on privacy law obligations, arising from their internal policies and working practices. For individual clients, we offer tailored advice concerning their rights under the legislation, facilitating processes such as making data subject access requests on their behalf.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Our lawyers are experienced in advising on and managing a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial litigation matters, including high–value, complex multijurisdictional corporate and commercial disputes involving shareholders’ disputes, investment disputes, oppression on the minority, contentious companies’ dissolutions, derivative actions, commercial assets recovery, corporate fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and other similar claims and also assisting in the issuance of interim order injunctions within the context of these proceedings.. Committed to delivering timely and commercially viable advice, we prioritize understanding our clients' needs, fostering enduring relationships, and aiding in risk management to potentially prevent disputes. Our extensive experience, successful outcomes, and positive reputation in dispute resolution matters across various industries underscore our leading expertise in this legal practice area.

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Our firm offers comprehensive assistance to both local and international clients, representing the interests of individual buyers or sellers. We provide expert advice on the selling or acquisition and utilisation of real estate for various purposes, including residential and commercial properties. Clients benefit from a seamless, high-quality service delivered by our experienced team, ensuring efficient handling of all aspects of complex real estate matters. Our lawyers further have extensive experience in advising individuals seeking real estate in Cyprus, including within the context of the residency by investment scheme. Our standard real estate services may encompass obtaining special permissions for third-country nationals to register immovable property, handling leases, negotiating lease renewals and advising on breaches of terms.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

Our lawyers undertake the filing of administrative recourses before the Administrative Court of the Republic of Cyprus (and appeals before the Supreme Constitutional Court) against any administrative actions or omissions on grounds of violation of the provisions of the Constitution or any Law or any other executive decision issued pursuant to pertinent law, which may include excess or abuse of power or lack of due reasoning or impartiality of the pertinent authority, or, where relevant, unconstitutionality of a law or executive decree.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Our lawyers have experience of human rights litigation before the General Court of the European Union, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. In addition, one of our founding partners has extensive academic background in international human rights, has worked within the human rights field prior to entering private law practice, and is a Member of the Equality Commission of the Cyprus Bar Association. Both our founding partners also have an extensive academic research interest in antidiscrimination law within the context of employment law.

OUR VISION

Welcome to our Cyprus-based law firm, where we aspire to redefine the legal experience by offering comprehensive services across various practice areas. Our commitment is to serve as your primary legal partner, addressing the diverse needs of our clients with expertise, innovation, and unwavering dedication. In the realm of employment law, we position ourselves as advocates for fair workplaces, providing specialised guidance on employment contracts, termination letters, dispute resolution, and compliance with evolving employment regulations in Cyprus. In immigration, we go beyond paperwork, aiming to be the bridge facilitating life-changing transitions for individuals, families, and businesses seeking opportunities in Cyprus. Our multidisciplinary approach covers visa acquisition, citizenship, and a smooth journey through immigration law complexities.

Across competition law, corporate, commercial, real estate, and administrative law, our vision centers on fostering success through strategic counsel. We empower clients to navigate intricacies in these domains, ensuring fair business practices, seamless real estate transactions, and effective handling of administrative processes. As technology advances, our focus in data protection and technology law is to safeguard clients in the digital age, helping them comply with data protection regulations and leverage technology while minimizing legal risks. Beyond these, our commitment extends to general civil litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, human rights, EU law, and international law. We envision a practice where clients not only find legal representation but also a comprehensive suite of services addressing their unique challenges and aspirations. As a small yet dynamic law firm in Cyprus, our aim is to be a beacon of legal expertise, offering a one-stop destination for all legal needs with a focus on excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction.