'quality and sustainability to meet clients' requirements ... really experienced ... commercial awareness and deep knowledge of the market ... prompt and detailed responses and input'
Chambers Europe 2023
'strong, commercially-minded and to the point team, with excellent technical knowledge and attention to detail ... highly specialised'
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
'reliability, responsibility, punctuality, accuracy, business mindset ... available in urgent matters and flexible to understand our needs'
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
Our practice is one of the foremost in Greece. We advise all market participants on regulatory compliance, reporting requirements, licensing, data protection, commercial agreements, corporate transactions and disputes in these sectors.
Telecommunications
Our history dates back to advising the Hellenic Republic on the drafting of the first bills leading to the liberalisation of the market and on the award of the first cellular licences to private operators. Since then, we have consistently acted in ground-breaking transactions in this sector, advising telecom entities in regulatory, antitrust, mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and capital markets offerings. We advise leading telecommunications providers, many on an ongoing basis, on their regulatory compliance, commercial activities and licensing, antitrust, data privacy, tax and employment matters. We have experience in assisting foreign telecoms operators in establishing or expanding their presence in Greece. Our team is also skilled in representing clients before the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) and other regulatory bodies and works with our Disputes team in administrative and commercial litigation in this sector.
Media
Our practice has acted for many of the major television and radio stations, newspaper and publishing groups, production and media companies in Greece, many of which we advised from their establishment. We have years of experience in drafting distribution, licensing, transmission, production, joint venture, outsourcing and advertising agreements and representing clients before the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR) and the courts. We advise on the data protection and privacy requirements and competition and antitrust issues affecting our clients’ businesses. We have acted in significant restructurings, mergers, acquisitions and financings in the Media sector.
Technology
We provide end-to-end legal services to suppliers, distributors, developers, technology companies and their customers. We have experience advising on outsourcing, service, supply, systems procurement and software and hardware licensing and distribution agreements. Our practice has a sector specific focus on regulatory risk and compliance, in particular internet and e-commerce, data protection and privacy rules as these relate to technology activities, electronic communications, signatures and encryption and export control. We also advise on software and IT related contracts, including drafting and negotiating software development and licensing agreements, technology transfers and source - object code escrow arrangements.
Recent Experience
New Operating Model of Telecommunications Leader
Together with Latham & Watkins we advised a global leader in telecommunications on potential legal implications arising from the company's new operating model and envisaged change in the structure of its European technology function.
Installation and Maintenance of New Technology Products
We assisted a multinational technology company in identifying and assessing the legal, including licensing, requirements for the installation and maintenance of new technology products from a telecoms perspective in Greece.
Vodafone Installation of Sub-Marine Cable
We acted for Vodafone in connection with the installation of a submarine cable system for the interconnection of ten islands in Greece, including submarine cable and terrestrial fibre optic systems and telecommunications equipment.
Fixed Networks and 5G Advice
We advised a leading private equity infrastructure investment firm on the regulatory regime for retail fixed networks and 5G deployment in the context of potential investments in Greece.
VoIP Services Advice
We advise a global telecoms provider of voice and messaging services from the cloud to businesses with regard to legal and regulatory requirements for the provision of VoIP services under Greek telecoms rules, including its annual reporting and other licensing obligations connected with company’s provision of numbering services in the Greek telecoms market.
Mobile Messaging Solutions Advice
We advised a global mobile consultancy and leading provider of mobile messaging solutions on the provision of multimedia information services (MIS) in the Greek telecoms market under the company’s general license, including representing the company in proceedings before the National Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) and Greek administrative courts.
Regulatory Advice on Electronic Communication Services
We provide ongoing advice to a global supplier of communications and data, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and unified communications, on the regulatory requirements for the provision of electronic communication services and networks in Greece, and have assisted with its registration under the general authorization regime before the National Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT).
Advice to Acun Medya
We advise Acun Medya Turkey and Acun Medya Greece on their TV production agreements with stations in Greece and their agreements with TV series participants and service providers in Greece and abroad, as well as in relation to consulting, advertising and sponsorship agreements, employment issues and GDPR data privacy compliance steps.
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance in Telecoms Sector
We advised a multinational provider of global voice origination services, operating under a general authorisation regime in Greece, in relation to the regulatory aspects of telecoms law and compliance with their annual licensing and reporting requirements to the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT), including specific reporting on issues such as the provision of numbering services.
Mobile Network Access
We advised a Japanese telecommunications company on its contemplated resale of mobile network access to automobile companies in Greece.
CYTA Cyprus Sale of CYTA Hellas to Vodafone
Bernitsas Law advised CYTA Cyprus in their sale of CYTA Hellas SA to Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Co. SA, with a transaction value of €118m.
Net Neutrality Advice
We advised a multinational technology company active in the e-commerce marketplace on the regulatory framework governing network neutrality issues, such as a zero-rating policy intended to be launched by a local telecoms operator.
Advice to International Software Solutions Manufacturer
We advised an international software solutions manufacturer on domestic data protection and telecommunications law implications of the implementation of their customer data processing software solution by the local subsidiary of a European telecommunications provider.
