Best Equity Capital Markets Lawyers in Melissia

About Equity Capital Markets Law in Melissia, Greece

Equity Capital Markets law covers the legal framework that governs issuance, trading, disclosure and corporate actions in relation to shares and related equity instruments. In Melissia - as in the rest of Greece - these matters are regulated by a combination of Greek national law, rules of the Athens Exchange and decisions and guidance from the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. EU rules and regulations - including the Prospectus Regulation, Market Abuse Regulation and MiFID II - also apply directly or through national implementing measures.

Practically, Equity Capital Markets work in Melissia the same way they do across the Athens metropolitan area: public offers and listings are coordinated with Athens Exchange and supervised by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, corporate actions affecting shareholders must comply with Greek company law, and market participants must maintain compliance programs to manage disclosure, insider trading and market manipulation risks.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer who specialises in Equity Capital Markets can help at every stage of an equity transaction or corporate capital activity. Common situations when you will need legal help include preparing an initial public offering or a listing application, drafting and reviewing a prospectus or offering document, structuring and documenting a private placement, advising on a rights issue or share capital increase, navigating takeover offers and squeeze-outs, and handling disclosure obligations under Market Abuse rules.

Other circumstances include advising on corporate governance and board duties for listed companies, representing shareholders in disputes, obtaining regulatory approvals from the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, negotiating underwriting and placement agreements, and addressing cross-border issues when non-Greek investors or foreign exchanges are involved. A lawyer also helps develop compliance policies and insider lists to reduce regulatory risk.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal layers relevant to Equity Capital Markets in Melissia and Greece generally include:

- Greek Companies Law - the corporate regime governing company formation, types of share capital, shareholder meetings, directors duties and capital increases. Law changes in recent years modernised corporate procedures and corporate governance requirements for societe anonymes (S.A. companies).

- Hellenic Capital Market Commission rules and guidance - the Hellenic Capital Market Commission supervises regulated markets, approves prospectuses in many cases and issues regulatory guidance and administrative decisions applicable to issuers, investment firms and market intermediaries.

- Athens Exchange rules - listing criteria, disclosure and continuing obligations for listed companies are set out in the Athens Exchange rulebook and related procedural requirements for admission and post-listing obligations.

- EU financial services framework - the Prospectus Regulation (on public offers and listing prospectuses), the Market Abuse Regulation (on insider trading and market manipulation), MiFID II (on investment services and regulated trading) and the Transparency Directive all apply and affect prospectus content, disclosure, investor protection and market conduct.

- Takeover and public offer rules - national rules and Hellenic Capital Market Commission guidance regulate mandatory and voluntary takeover offers, disclosure of major holdings and the mechanics of public bids. These rules aim to protect minority shareholders and ensure an orderly takeover process.

- Central securities infrastructure - the Athens Exchange Central Securities Depository and related clearing and settlement rules govern dematerialised securities, transfers and registration procedures.

- Tax and corporate law interaction - Greek tax law and transactional tax considerations affect the structuring of equity deals, employee share schemes and cross-border investment. Lawyers and tax advisers usually coordinate on optimal transactional structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What steps are required to carry out an initial public offering in Greece?

An IPO typically requires corporate approvals for a capital increase, preparation of a prospectus that meets Prospectus Regulation standards, pre-approval and comments from the Hellenic Capital Market Commission where applicable, compliance with Athens Exchange listing requirements, appointment of underwriters and legal advisers, completion of due diligence, and coordination of marketing and allocation. Timelines vary depending on complexity and regulator interaction.

Do foreign investors face special rules when buying Greek listed shares?

Foreign investors can generally buy and hold Greek listed shares. They must comply with disclosure rules if holdings pass notification thresholds provided by the Transparency Directive implementation. Certain sectors may have additional foreign investment controls for national security reasons. Tax residency and withholding tax rules also differ for non-residents and should be reviewed.

When is a prospectus mandatory for an equity offer?

A prospectus prepared under the EU Prospectus Regulation is generally required for public offers of securities or admission to trading on a regulated market unless an exemption applies - for example for offers to fewer than a defined number of investors or for small offers under a specified monetary threshold. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission and Athens Exchange procedures determine the approval process.

What are the main disclosure obligations for listed companies?

Listed companies must make timely disclosure of inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation, publish periodic financial reports according to the Transparency Directive implementation, notify major holdings when shareholders cross statutory thresholds, and comply with continuing obligations in the Athens Exchange rulebook regarding corporate events and governance matters.

How are shareholder meetings and voting rights regulated?

Shareholder meetings and voting follow Greek Companies Law and the companys articles of association. Notices, quorum rules, minority protection mechanisms, proxy voting and shareholder resolution procedures must comply with statutory timelines and formal requirements. Changes to share capital typically require specific shareholder resolutions.

What protections exist for minority shareholders in a takeover?

Takeover rules and the Hellenic Capital Market Commission oversight provide protections including fair treatment, equal information for all shareholders, mandatory offer thresholds that trigger obligations on bidders, and rules governing pricing and disclosure. Minority shareholders may also enforce rights through courts or administrative complaints to the regulator.

Do Greek rules allow employee share schemes and stock options?

Yes. Employee share plans and option schemes are permitted but must be structured in compliance with corporate law, tax rules and securities regulations. For listed companies, plans may trigger disclosure obligations, and certain approvals from shareholders or the board may be required.

What are the risks of insider trading and how can companies manage them?

Insider trading and market manipulation are prohibited under the Market Abuse Regulation. Companies manage these risks by adopting insider trading policies, maintaining insider and watch lists, controlling access to material non-public information, providing staff training and implementing blackout periods around sensitive events.

How long does regulatory approval usually take for capital market transactions?

Timelines vary widely. A straightforward private placement can be completed in weeks, while an IPO or a large public offer with a full prospectus and extensive due diligence can take several months. Interaction with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the Athens Exchange can affect timing, so early engagement with legal and financial advisers is essential.

Can small or family-owned businesses in Melissia access equity capital markets?

Smaller companies can access equity capital through private placements, venture-style funding, or by listing on smaller market segments if available. Many SMEs prefer private equity, business angels, or structured transactions before pursuing a full public listing. Legal advisers can help evaluate the right route and prepare governance and reporting frameworks to attract investors.

Additional Resources

Useful organisations and bodies to contact or follow for guidance and information include the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, Athens Exchange and its central securities depository, the Athens Bar Association for lists of regulated lawyers, the Ministry of Finance for regulatory and tax policy updates, and national professional associations of accountants and corporate advisers. European bodies such as the European Securities and Markets Authority provide EU-level regulatory material that affects Greek practice.

Local law firms and boutique capital markets practices in the Athens metropolitan area can assist with document drafting, regulator engagement and local procedural requirements. Chambers of commerce and business associations can also be a source of practical guidance for smaller businesses considering equity funding.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in Equity Capital Markets in Melissia, start by assembling basic documents - company constitutional documents, recent financial statements, cap table, board minutes and any existing investor agreements. Prepare a short brief describing your objectives - for example IPO, private placement, rights issue, or takeover defence - and a desired timetable and budget.

Contact a lawyer or firm with capital markets experience and ask about their relevant practice, regulatory experience with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and Athens Exchange, fee structure and estimates for the work involved. Ask for a written engagement letter outlining scope, milestones and costs. Expect to undertake legal due diligence, prepare or review offering documents, develop a compliance and disclosure plan and coordinate with underwriters and financial advisers if applicable.

Finally, obtain tax and financial advice in parallel, maintain clear internal compliance procedures, and plan communications to shareholders and the market in consultation with your legal adviser to reduce regulatory risk and ensure an orderly process.