Our Team
COSTAS VELARIS
Costas Velaris studied Law in the U.K. and he has been called to the English Bar in 1967. He practised in London for a short while before joining and subsequently undertaking Velaris & Velaris LLC, which was established by his father in 1929.
He is one of the most senior counsel in Cyprus with more than 50 years’ experience. He has personally handled serious and high profile cases representing local and foreign clients including the State, foreign governments, public authorities, local and foreign banking institutions, Ecclesiastical Authorities and persons and entities in Cyprus or overseas.
He wrote the chapter on Cyprus in Company Law in Europe, edited by LexisNexis and he is a member of the Hon. Society of the Middle Temple and the Cyprus Bar since 1970.
He mainly deals with civil and commercial disputes, trusts and cases involving the principles of equity.
He speaks fluent Greek and English.
CHARILAOS C. VELARIS
Charilaos Velaris holds a degree (Licence) in Law and European Studies from the Université Robert Schuman – Strasbourg III and a Master’s degree in European and International Law from the same university. Charilaos subsequently completed an internship at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
He was admitted to the Cyprus Bar in 2010 and has since been a practising litigation lawyer at Velaris & Velaris LLC, where he represented a large number of foreign and Cypriot clients in cases relating to various aspects of the law, particularly in international commercial litigation, property disputes and corporate and banking secrecy. As from 2015, he is an associate lecturer at the Law Department of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN Cyprus).
In 2020 he was elected as a member of the council of Nicosia Bar Association, and he was re – elected in 2023.
Furthermore, he is one of the authors of the book “The Law of Leasing in Cyprus”.
In addition to Greek, Charilaos speaks fluent English, French, and Russian and has a very good command of German, Turkish, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
CHRISTIA MICHAEL
Christia Michael graduated from Birmingham City University with an undergraduate degree in LL. B Law before going on to successfully complete the Legal Practice Course with Masters in Law, Business and Management (LPC/ MSc Law, Business and Management) at the University of Law in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Since 2017, Christia is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and in 2020 joined our firm.
In 2023 she successfully completed the examination of the Cyprus Bar Association in relation to anti – money laundering. Furthermore, she was a member of the team who wrote the chapter of Cyprus on the text Company Law in Europe edited by LexisNexis.
In addition, in October 2024 she was appointed as a member of the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Cyprus Basketball Federation and in June 2025 she was appointed as Secretary of the non – profit organisation of the Junior Chamber International in Nicosia.
Her main areas of practice are in the fields of Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Banking and Finance and Litigation, including fields covered by special jurisdiction Courts.
She speaks fluent Greek and English.
LOUCIA PATSALIDOU
Loucia Patsalidou graduated from the University of Sunderland with an undergraduate degree in LL.B Law before earning an LL.M in Human Rights from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
Before returning to Cyprus to pursue her legal career, Loucia worked with various NGOs abroad, gaining invaluable experience in the field of human rights and humanitarian law.
Since 2011, Loucia has been dedicated member of the Cyprus Bar Association and joined our firm in 2024 primarily handling cases involving Human Rights Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Tort Law, Privacy Law and Litigation.
She speaks fluent Greek and English.
PETROS PAYIASIS
Petros Payiasis graduated from the University of Manchester with an undergraduate degree in LLB Law before going on to successfully complete the Bar Vocational course at BPP University in Manchester and receive the professional title of Barrister – at – Law.
He is a member of Lincoln’s Inn and was called to the Bar in October 2023.
Since 2024, after successfully completing his internship at our law firm, Petros is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and has joined our firm on the same year as a lawyer.
His main areas of practice are in the fields of Civil Law, Commercial Law, Family Law and Litigation.
He speaks fluent Greek and English.
KYRIAKOS ANTONIOU
Kyriakos Antoniou graduated from the European University of Cyprus with an undergraduate degree in LL. B Law.
Since 2025, after successfully completing his internship at our law firm, Kyriakos is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and has joined our firm on the same year as a lawyer.
His main areas of practice are in the fields of Civil Law, Commercial Law, Banking Law and Rent Control Law.
He speaks fluent Greek and English.