Ioannis is the Managing Partner of the firm and leads its disputes and strategic advisory practice. He has acted in significant matters including the securing of an unprecedented freezing order against a state in proceedings for the recognition of a multi-million-euro arbitral award. He also acted with his team in pioneering the application of the House of Lords’ decision in R. v. Preddy [1996] W.L.R. 255 in criminal proceedings.
His recent work includes the recognition in Cyprus of an international arbitral award exceeding USD 110 million, acting for the successful applicant in a €1 billion dispute involving Norwich Pharmacal and freezing relief, and securing a liquidation order of approximately EUR 2 billion in one of the more substantial insolvency matters to come before the Cypriot courts.
His practice focuses on complex cross-border commercial litigation, fraud and conspiracy claims, shareholder disputes, insolvency-related proceedings and arbitration-related court work. He acts for financial institutions, investment firms, multinational businesses, corporate groups, technology companies, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals in substantial multi-jurisdictional matters requiring strategic judgment, procedural precision and speed of execution.
In addition to his disputes practice, Ioannis advises on corporate and regulatory matters connected with restructurings, sanctions, security enforcement, due diligence, insolvency and cross-border investment. His practice combines contentious depth with commercial perspective, particularly in mandates where legal risk and business strategy must be managed in parallel.
- Acted for the successful applicant in a €1 billion dispute, obtaining Norwich Pharmacal and freezing relief in aid of tracing assets allegedly misappropriated through an international fraud scheme.
- Secured recognition in Cyprus of an international arbitral award exceeding USD 110 million in one of the first arbitration-related applications to be examined under the Civil Procedure Rules 2023 framework.
- Represented eight defendants, together with leading counsel Marcos Dracos KC, in one of the first major disputes before the Cypriot courts involving crypto tokenisation in commodity trading, successfully discharging an ex parte freezing order in a USD 50 million claim.
- Obtained a worldwide freezing order exceeding EUR 500 million on behalf of a United Arab Emirates company.
- Successfully represented a leading electronic money institution in online defamation proceedings in which ex parte interim injunctions were rendered absolute pending trial following the dismissal of an extensive opposition.
- Acted in proceedings resulting in the recognition and enforcement in Cyprus of a foreign arbitral award of approximately USD 19 million against a sovereign state, in a judgment marking the first substantive examination by a Cypriot court of state immunity in the arbitration context.
- Secured a landmark judgment validating claims of approximately EUR 40 million in insolvency proceedings before the Cypriot courts.
- Acted for a high-net-worth individual in a complex cross-border action valued at USD 135 million.
- Secured a liquidation order of approximately EUR 2 billion in one of the more substantial insolvency matters to come before the Cypriot courts.
- Acted in proceedings for the recognition of an LCIA arbitral award of approximately EUR 500 million on behalf of a Luxembourg-based entity.
- Secured validation of debt claims exceeding USD 500 million before the Cyprus Registrar.
- Successfully defended clients in a serious theft case, relying on the reasoning in R. v. Preddy [1996] W.L.R. 255.
- Advised, alongside UK counsel, a multinational group of companies on group structuring, taking into account legal and tax considerations.
- Conducted legal due diligence on the standing of a Cyprus company in connection with loan facilities totalling EUR 25 million.
- Advised multinational conglomerates on the implications of international sanctions regimes.
- Negotiated a significant settlement on behalf of a German company in relation to the mobile deactivation system used in Cypriot prisons.
- Advised a foreign bank in relation to alleged misconduct by former shareholders in a matter involving losses of hundreds of millions.
- Advised a major investment firm on the regulatory requirements for authorisation as a Cyprus Investment Firm.
- Led proceedings for an international group owning a steel factory in connection with insolvency issues and shareholder disputes.
- Advised high-net-worth individuals and Cyprus entities on the legal and practical implications of sanctions regimes.
- Cyprus Bar Association, since 2016
- Famagusta Bar Association, since 2016
- Director, Cyprus Mediation and Arbitration Centre, since 2023
- Accredited Mediator, Ministry of Justice, since 2024
- Contributor, World Justice Project, since 2022
- Member, International Compliance Association, since 2024
- Compliance Officer, ICA Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering, since 2024
- Litigation Dispute Resolution Comparative Guide (Mondaq)
- Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (Mondaq)
- Enforcement of Judgments (Chambers and Partners)