History

ABOUT THE FIRM

History

The history of Chrysses Demetriades & Co. LLC dates back to 1948 when it was founded by the late Chrysses Demetriades. Over the years, the Firm has helped shape and pioneer many developments in the legal field.

The independence of the Cyprus in 1960 created many opportunities for Cyprus. At the time, Chrysses Demetriades had the vision to see that with its strategic location and a national political and financial framework that is stable, healthy and dynamic, Cyprus could develop into a globally recognised offshore and international financial centre.

As one of the first elected members of the newly formed House of Representatives and as a trusted legal advisor of the Cyprus Government, Chrysses Demetriades set about over the next two decades implementing a series of initiatives that would establish Cyprus as offshore and international finance centre. He established the Cyprus Shipping Register in 1963 and is widely acknowledged as the architect of country�s offshore and maritime legislation. In the early 1970�s, he became a leading advisor to the shipping industry and advised the first ship management companies on the establishment of their offices in Cyprus. Such was the foresight of Chrysses Demetriades that Cyprus now has the third largest flag fleet in the EU and Limassol is now one of the largest third-party ship management centres in the world.

Over the years, Chrysses Demetriades was joined by several leading practitioners that transformed the Firm into what it is today - John Agapiou (1958), Efti Psillaki (1967) and George Economou (1975). In 1978, Chrysses Demetriades & Co. Law Office merged with M.M. Houry & Co., as a result of which Stuart McBride and Christos Mavrellis became partners and the late Michael Houry became a consultant. In 2003, Chrysses Demetriades & Co. Law Office merged with P.L. Cacoyannis & Co combining the strengths of two of the oldest and most respected law firms in Cyprus and reinforcing the Firm�s litigation practice.

The Firm has grown steadily through carefully controlled organic growth andselective mergers with the emphasis always on quality and a cohesive culture.

We currently have over 45 fee-earners working out of offices in Limassol and Nicosia, including 17 partners.