The Cyprus Bar Association confirmed to OGC that there is no such thing as a notary in Cyprus. All responsibilities that are typically taken on by a notary come under the remit of a lawyer.

These responsibilities include, for example, matters concerned with estates, powers-of-attorney and business. Lawyers in Cyprus are involved in a range of matters concerning newcomers to the island. Of course, one of the key areas of responsibility is that of property transaction.

In terms of legalities, a Cyprus real estate agent can be involved with drawing up contracts but this responsibility can also be undertaken by a lawyer. A real estate agent has nothing to do with setting up bank accounts for the sale. This is also the responsibility of a lawyer. Another area where an expat will need a lawyer is if he or she is setting up a company in Cyprus. The procedure for setting up any kind of commercial entity in Cyprus is very different from in the UK and, in some ways, less straightforward and more costly.

In setting up a business, you will need a lawyer to take you through a number of steps. Firstly, there is the company name which needs to be approved by the Registrar of Companies before the registration procedure starts proper. Once you have received approval, this is followed by submission of the proposed company's Memorandum and Articles of Association and details about banks, shareholders, directors, other key staff members and the registered office.

Another key area where an expat may need a lawyer is in writing a will. It is very important to get the advice of a lawyer for this as the drawing up of a will depends on whether or not you are domicile in Cyprus and what type of assets you have on the island. The laws related to Inheritance Tax in Cyprus are particularly intricate so the advice of a lawyer is necessary then.

Lawyers are occasionally involved in issues related to immigration and, of course, they cover standard responsibilities such as court appearances on behalf of a client, registering trademarks or patents, and giving legal opinions to clients. For more information on what a lawyer can offer and to obtain a list of qualified and registered lawyers go to the address below.
www.cyprusbarassociation.org

Start your hunt for a home in Cyprus here…
If you’re searching for a Cypriot property, a good place to start is the Cyprus Buying Guide’s property search facility. To start your search now visit http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/content/cyprus-properties