The Wills and Succession Law determine who will inherit a person’s estate when they pass away. Cyprus succession law provides for “forced heirship”. The rules of forced heirship in Cyprus are fairly complex and inheritance depends upon which family members survive the deceased. The significance is that law determines who will inherit a person’s estate…
1. Introduction The questions below are intended to help shareholders identify and, if relevant, negotiate certain (indicative only) matters regarding regulation of a Cyprus company. The questions are aimed at providing a starting point for discussions between the owners regarding the establishment of a management structure of a Cyprus company. Note that not all the…
1. Introduction Cyprus Company Law is based on the principle of the majority rule. Consequently Cyprus courts will not generally interfere in the internal management of companies. However, in cases where shareholders become oppressed by the controlling or majority shareholders or even the board of a Company, minority or oppressed shareholders can seek redress and…
The Cyprus parliament approved a new insolvency framework aimed at streamlining and modernising the existing system and promoting a rescue culture. The legislation includes the enactment of entirely new legislation and amendments to existing legislation and relates to the insolvency of both natural and legal persons. The new Insolvency framework The new insolvency framework comprises…
On the 20.11.2012 the European Parliament voted in favour of the proposed “recast” Brussels Regulation. The recast Brussels Regulation (EU Regulation 1215/2012) will be applied by Member State courts from the 10.01.2015. An overview of the main areas of reform under the recast Brussels Regulation are listed below in summary form. The main areas of…
On the 16th of October 2014, the European Commission requested that Cyprus and Luxembourg fully implement Directive 2011/77/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2011 amending Directive 2006/116/EC on the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights. The Directive extends the term of protection for performers and sound…
On the 25.07.2014 Cyprus and Switzerland signed an avoidance of double taxation agreement and relevant protocol. A Finance Ministry press release said, that the new agreement will contribute to further developing trade and financial relations between the two countries as well as with other countries. The ministry further stated that maintaining, updating and signing new…
The Cyprus Tax Department announced that the immovable property tax for the year 2014 must be paid until the 30th of November of 2014. If the tax is paid fully by the 31.10.2014, then the tax payer will receive a discount of 15% on the tax payable. Conversely, if the immovable property tax is paid…
A new EU Regulation has come into force which establishes a European Account Preservation Order (EAPO) procedure. It is intended to facilitate cross-border debt recovery in civil and commercial matters (Regulation (EU) 655/2014). The main provisions will not however apply until January 2017. Under the new procedure, a creditor will be able to obtain an…
New EU rules making it easier for companies to recover claims across borders have been adopted today by EU Ministers. The new regulation is expected to be be published in the Official Journal (the EU’s Statute book) in June 2014 and will be directly applicable in the Member States (except in the UK and Denmark which have opted…