commercial
The Ministry of Finance announced the permanent reduction of transfer fees. The reduction was implemented by the enactment of the Land and Surveys Department (Fees and Rights) (Amendment) (No 2) Law of the 14.07.2016. Consequently the temporary arrangement which provided a reduction of 50 per cent of transfer fees until 31.12.2016 is now made permanent. According to…
Advance tax rulings can be valuable to taxpayers since they provide comfort on how the tax framework applies to a particular transaction. In October 2015 the Tax Department issued a circular setting out a new procedure for obtaining advance tax rulings. Following this, on the 26.04.2016, the Tax Department announced that administrative fees will now…
In order to facilitate and encourage the restructuring of non-performing loans the Cyprus tax laws were amended to temporarily exempt loan restructurings from tax. The amendments are applicable up to 31.12.2017. The amending legislation was published in the Cyprus Government Gazette on 31.12.2015. The amendments affect the Income Tax Law; the Capital Gains Tax Law;…
Amending Law 4 of 2015 introduced important innovations to Cyprus Companies Law (Cap. 113) (the “Law”). These innovations are aimed at simplifying processes and increasing competitiveness. The amendments came into effect from the 19th of June 2015. Following the amendments, it is now possible for a company to be incorporated as a general commercial company…
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…
A shareholders’ agreement is a confidential legal document between the shareholders of a company. As such the agreement it is not accessible to third parties unless disclosed. The agreement ensures that a mutual understanding exists between the shareholders’ by explicitly providing the agreed terms for the management and control of the company. Moreover, shareholders agreements…
Cyprus courts have jurisdiction to grant interim orders and injunctions over various issues, having extraterritorial effect. These include freezing orders (“Mareva Injunctions”), discovery and tracing orders (“Norwich Pharmacal Orders”), Garnishee Orders (“Chabra Orders”), search orders (“Anton Piller Orders”). Freezing Orders (Mareva Injunctions) Freezing injunctions over assets in any part of the world can be issued…
Disputes in Cyprus are mainly resolved in litigation proceedings by the courts. Provided all statutory and case law requirements are met, Cyprus courts have jurisdiction to grant interim orders and injunctions, with international effect. In particular they have jurisdiction to issue interim orders in support or in aid of: Judicial proceedings pending before Cyprus Courts;…