Successful businesses and sound investments are based on solid legal frameworks. In today’s globalised world where many projects and transactions extend national boundaries, the legal frameworks governing such operations often span multiple legal regimes – from local, through national to international and transnational.

The existence of multiple legal systems often poses challenges to businesses and their lawyers. Yet the complexity can also work to their advantage and enable them to choose the legal regime that will reliably govern their cross-border business operations while safeguarding the rights of the business owners and investors. NCL provides hands-on legal support to its clients. Our legal solutions are always effective and often innovative.

Effective courts, too, are central to sustained offshore operations. In some jurisdictions, the courts resolve commercial disputes quickly, fairly, and economically. In others, they are slow, inefficient, incompetent, biased, or corrupt. Fortunately, the law can enable litigants from countries with ineffective judicial systems to have their cases adjudicated in the courts of other nations.

NCL can help you navigate the global legal maze. The Chairman of NCL, Mr. Nicos Clerides, is a respected litigator of cross-border commercial disputes. His recent cases include:

• Receivership order against Mukhtar Ablyazov (2013 – current)
In 2010 the Queens’s Bench Division appointed KPMG (London) as receivers of Mr Ablayzov’s assets worth over US$ 10 billion. Mr. Clerides represents 280 companies allegedly connected with Mr. Ablyazov’s assets.

• Janna Bullock cases (2010 – current)
Mr. Clerides has represented Janna Bullock—a New York based real estate tycoon of Russian background—in court cases in Europe with claims exceeding US$ 500 million.
• Evgeny Kogan case (2012)
A case involving a Russian entrepreneur defrauded by his associate and attorney, with regard to the purchase of a mine in Madagascar worth US$100 million. Mr. Clerides secured court injunction in Cyprus, suspending the freezing order secured fraudulently by Kogan’s associate.
• Aremisoft and Roys Poyiadjis (2001 – 2005)
This case involved criminal charges relating to securities fraud and misrepresentation of a NASDAQ-listed company. The U.S. Department of Justice requested legal assistance from Cyprus and, following Mr. Clerides’ application to the Attorney General, Poyaidjis was granted immunity from prosecution. The case involved US$200 million settlement with U.S. authorities in 2005.
Industrial espionage: The Republic of Cyprus v. Michael Andrew Flack and Paul Whybrow (1997)
Two English detectives working for Bayer were sentenced to 18 months in prison for charges involving burglary and stealing of documents belonging to two Cypriot pharmaceutical companies. The documents were allegedly used to establish infringement of patents filed by Bayer. The two detectives were released following successful appeal by Mr. Clerides.
• The Police v. Mc Avoy and J. Dickerson (1994)
A highly publicised case, involving several Cypriot companies and hotel owners who sued two British venture capitalists represented by Mr. Clerides. Both accused were cleared of the charges.
• The U.S. Government Request for Extradition of Jeffrey Kershaw (1994)
The U.S. Government issued an international warrant of arrest against Kershaw for his alleged involvement in a fraud concerning the sale of UK Government bonds worth 292 million sterling. Kershaw managed to escape to Cyprus. Following 10 month trial involving lengthy cross-examinations of witnesses by Mr. Clerides, the Court rejected the U. S. Government request and released Kershaw. This case was extensively covered in the media, including The Times, The Guardian, and BBC.

To confidentially discuss how NCL can help you resolve your commercial disputes, please contact Mr. Clerides today.