Best Acquisition / Leveraged Finance Lawyers in Melissia

About Acquisition / Leveraged Finance Law in Melissia, Greece

Acquisition / leveraged finance covers the funding structures used to buy companies or business assets where a significant portion of the purchase price is financed with debt. In Melissia, Greece - a suburb of Athens with easy access to national financial and legal services - these transactions are governed by a mix of general Greek corporate and civil law, banking and capital markets rules, tax law, and sector-specific regulation. Lenders commonly include Greek banks, international banks active in Greece, private credit funds and alternative lenders. Typical transactions range from small domestic buyouts to larger cross-border leveraged buyouts where Greek target companies or assets are involved.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You should consult a lawyer if you are a buyer, seller, equity sponsor, borrower, lender or guarantor involved in an acquisition or leveraged-finance transaction in Melissia. Common situations where legal help is essential include drafting and negotiating facility agreements and security documents, structuring the deal to optimize tax and regulatory outcomes, conducting legal due diligence on the target or collateral, advising on corporate approvals and shareholder consents, preparing intercreditor arrangements, and managing enforcement or restructuring in the event of default. Local counsel is particularly valuable for navigating registration and perfection of securities, dealing with Greek insolvency rules, and ensuring compliance with anti-money-laundering and FDI requirements.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal themes to understand when pursuing acquisition or leveraged finance in Melissia include corporate authority and governance, security and enforcement, insolvency and restructuring, tax and stamp duties, regulatory approvals, and dispute-resolution considerations. Corporate rules determine which company body must approve a leverage or guarantee and whether special shareholder resolutions are needed. Security interests over assets can include mortgages on real estate, pledges over shares and receivables, and other forms of collateral permitted by Greek law - these securities often require registration to be perfected, including entries in the land registry or commercial registries. Insolvency and restructuring rules set out creditor rights, stay periods and priority of claims - these rules affect enforcement strategy and recoverability prospects. Taxation and fees can affect overall deal economics - debt push-downs, withholding tax, VAT and stamp or notarial duties should be addressed early. Competition rules may require merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission where a transaction reaches relevant thresholds. Financial sector regulation applies where credit institutions or regulated financial intermediaries are involved. Finally, anti-money-laundering checks, know-your-customer procedures and sanctions compliance are mandatory for lenders and advisers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common types of debt used in leveraged acquisitions in Melissia?

Common instruments include senior secured term loans, revolving credit facilities, mezzanine loans, vendor financing and bond or note issuances. The exact mix depends on the size of the deal, sponsor appetite, asset type and lender preferences. Senior secured loans with a comprehensive security package are typical where creditors seek strong recovery prospects.

How do lenders take and perfect security over Greek assets?

Security over real estate is usually created as a mortgage and registered in the land registry or cadastre. Security over shares is typically a pledge of shares registered in the relevant share ledger and, where applicable, notified or registered with the General Commercial Registry. Security over receivables often requires an assignment or pledge combined with notice to debtors. Perfection steps and registration vary by asset type, so local counsel should confirm the exact formalities.

Are foreign lenders able to enforce security and judgments in Greece?

Foreign lenders can enforce security taken under Greek law by following Greek enforcement procedures. Enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards may require specific recognition steps under international conventions or domestic law. Choice-of-law and jurisdiction clauses are important, but mandatory Greek rules and public policy may limit contractual freedom in certain areas. Early local enforcement advice is recommended for cross-border lenders.

What approvals are required for a Greek target to take on leveraged debt?

Approvals depend on the target company s articles of association and Greek corporate law. Typically, the board may approve borrowing within granted authorities, while significant facilities, share pledges or changes to capital may need shareholder approval. If the target operates in a regulated sector, regulatory consents or notifications may be needed. Merger control clearance may be required for large deals.

How does Greek insolvency law affect leveraged-finance transactions?

Greek insolvency and restructuring regimes govern creditor rights, priority of claims and stay periods. Recent reforms have modernized restructuring tools but also introduced specific protections for employees and public creditors. In a distressed scenario, lenders should understand how a restructuring plan or insolvency proceeding could alter enforcement options and creditor recoveries.

What are the main tax issues to watch in leveraged buyouts?

Important tax considerations include withholding tax on interest and payments to non-residents, VAT treatment of fees and services, tax on intercompany payments, and transfer taxes or stamp duties that may apply to securities or property transfers. Additionally, interest deductibility rules and anti-hybrid or thin-capitalization rules can affect deal leverage and structure. Obtain tax advice early in the process.

How long does the documentation and closing process usually take?

Timelines vary widely. For smaller domestic transactions closing may take a few weeks if due diligence is limited. For larger or cross-border leveraged deals expect several months to complete legal and financial due diligence, negotiate facility and security documentation, obtain approvals and perfect collateral. Allow extra time for registrations with Greek registries and for any governmental approvals.

What should be included in legal due diligence for a leveraged acquisition?

Legal due diligence should cover corporate records and authority, material contracts, security interests and encumbrances, real estate title, employment liabilities, litigation and regulatory compliance, intellectual property, tax history, environmental matters, and any sector-specific permits or restrictions. The diligence report will help identify risks to be addressed in the purchase agreement and financing documents.

Can Greek companies grant guarantees or provide security to foreign lenders?

Generally yes, subject to corporate authority rules, articles of association limitations and any sector-specific restrictions. Guarantees and security provided by Greek group companies often require board or shareholder approvals and must not breach creditor or insolvency restriction rules. Financial assistance rules and abuse of corporate assets should be assessed in each case.

Should I use Greek law or foreign law for the financing documents?

Parties commonly choose English law for cross-border facility agreements and Greek law for security documents that create rights in Greece, so that perfection follows local formalities. Choice of law is negotiable but any security over Greek assets normally must comply with Greek formalities to be effective. Local counsel will recommend the optimal split between governing laws and forum clauses for enforcement certainty.

Additional Resources

Useful Greek authorities and bodies for acquisition and leveraged-finance matters include the Bank of Greece for banking sector regulation, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission for capital markets and bond issuance matters, the Hellenic Competition Commission for merger control, the General Commercial Registry - GEMI for company filings, the Hellenic Cadastre for real estate registrations, and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE for tax guidance. Professional bodies include the Athens Bar Association for qualified local lawyers and the local chambers of commerce for business guidance. For practical legal and tax analysis consult experienced commercial financiers, tax advisers and notaries in the Athens area, who will be familiar with Melissia s local practicalities.

Next Steps

Start by documenting your commercial objectives and a high-level timetable. Engage local counsel experienced in acquisition and leveraged finance in Athens or Melissia to conduct a pre-deal assessment and to advise on structure, documentation and regulatory checks. Assemble a deal team including tax advisers, accountants and, if needed, sector specialists. Carry out targeted legal due diligence early, confirm borrowing and security authority, and obtain preliminary lender feedback on acceptable covenants and security packages. Plan for registration and perfection steps and build time for approvals and translations. If you are concerned about enforcement or restructuring risk, ask counsel for an enforcement strategy and recovery analysis. Finally, ensure anti-money-laundering checks and KYC documents are in order to avoid closing delays.

This guide is for general information. For tailored legal advice on an acquisition or leveraged-finance matter in Melissia, Greece contact a qualified local lawyer who can assess your specific facts and objectives.