News

The Swiss Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has announced that the Protocol of Amendment of November 4, 2010 (see our article below from Nov, 4, 2010) to the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Greece entered into force on January, 1, 2012.

According to the FDF, the protocol contains an OECD administrative assistance clause and will contribute to the further positive development of bilateral economic relations.

The Greek authority supervising banks and financial institutions with its decision 25/1/17.12.2011 has revoked the operating license of T-BANK (former Aspis bank). The bank was placed under special liquidation procedure.

Several people died and others were missing after the Costa Concordia cruise ship with more than 4.000 people on board ran aground and keeled over off an Italian island, sparking chaos as passengers scrambled to get off. Our office in close collaboration with a top specialist consortium from Italy England, France Spain and the USA is offering legal support and assistance to victims and their families of this terrible accident.

Unfortunately our worst fears are being confirmed: The Eurogroup and the Greek government announced that all private holders of Greek State bonds by virtue of the so called “collective action clause” (CAC) will be forced to participate to the bonds swap although they did not consent to it.

We consider this as unconventional and totally unlawful falling short to the requirements of the art. 1 protocol No 1 of the European Convention of Human rights as it has been signed by the Republic of Greece. We also feel it violates the disposals of the Hellenic Constitution and other national texts challenging the existence of such collective action clauses.