Best Securities Lawyers in Thivais

About Securities Law in Thivais, Greece

Securities law in Thivais operates under the national and European Union framework that governs capital markets across Greece. Whether you are an issuer, investor, or intermediary, you are subject to Greek legislation and directly applicable EU regulations, with supervision primarily by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and market infrastructure centered around the Athens Stock Exchange. Businesses and investors in Thivais and the wider Viotia region typically access capital either through public offerings on the Athens market, private placements, bond loans, fund structures, or cross border offerings made under EU passporting rules. Compliance, disclosure, and investor protection are the core pillars of this regime.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a securities lawyer if you plan to raise capital through shares or bonds, list or delist on a regulated market or multilateral trading facility, or structure a private placement to investors. Legal counsel is important for preparing prospectuses or information memoranda, meeting ongoing disclosure duties, and navigating marketing rules to avoid an unauthorized public offer.

Investors often require advice when assessing risks in offerings, reviewing offering documents, or seeking remedies for mis selling, market manipulation, or insider dealing that caused losses. Intermediaries such as investment firms, crowdfunding providers, and fund managers need help with licensing, passporting, conduct of business policies, client documentation, and responding to inspections or enforcement actions.

Lawyers also support takeover bids, shareholder activism, and general meeting matters, help with corporate governance and insider lists, advise on cross border offerings into or from Greece, and coordinate responses to the Hellenic Capital Market Commission investigations. If you are in Thivais, a lawyer can combine local company law and registry practice with national securities compliance to keep transactions on track.

Local Laws Overview

Supervision and enforcement are led by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, which oversees issuers, investment firms, fund managers, market abuse enforcement, public offers, and prospectus approvals. The Athens Stock Exchange and its market operator issue rulebooks for listings, ongoing obligations, and corporate actions. Companies in Thivais that wish to list or issue securities will coordinate with these bodies.

Public offerings and listings are governed by the EU Prospectus Regulation, which sets when a prospectus is required, the content standards, and the approval process. There are exemptions for certain limited offers, qualified investors, and small offers, subject to conditions. Greece applies the regulation directly and supplements it with national rules on liability and administrative processes. Prospectus liability for misstatements can arise under Greek law in addition to regulatory sanctions, so careful drafting and verification are critical.

Transparency and ongoing disclosure for listed companies are anchored in the EU Transparency Directive framework as implemented in Greece, including periodic financial reporting and major shareholding notifications. Issuers must also comply with the EU Market Abuse Regulation, which covers insider information, market manipulation, insider lists, disclosure of inside information, and notifications by persons discharging managerial responsibilities. These obligations apply regardless of where within Greece the issuer is based, including Thivais.

Conduct of business, licensing, and organizational requirements for investment firms are set by the Greek implementation of MiFID II. This covers client categorization, suitability and appropriateness tests, inducements, best execution, product governance, and safeguards for client assets. Fund managers are subject to the UCITS and AIFM frameworks as implemented in Greece, including organizational rules, risk management, depository oversight, and cross border marketing passports.

Corporate governance of listed companies is set by modern Greek corporate governance legislation and exchange rulebooks, with requirements for board composition, independent directors, audit and remuneration committees, internal control systems, and related party transactions. Greek company law on sociétés anonymes governs share issuance mechanics, bond loans, general meeting procedures, and shareholder rights, all of which underpin securities transactions for companies registered in Thivais.

Public takeover bids are governed by Greek law implementing the EU Takeover Bid Directive, including mandatory bid triggers, offer procedures, and squeeze out or sell out rights. Short selling is regulated under the EU Short Selling Regulation. Anti money laundering requirements apply across the market, with Greek AML law aligned to EU directives, and compliance programs must be maintained by intermediaries and issuers. Data protection rules under the GDPR apply to investor data, insider lists, and whistleblowing systems.

New financing channels such as European crowdfunding are available under the EU Crowdfunding Regulation, with authorization and oversight in Greece for platforms that facilitate offerings to the public within set limits. Cross border distributions of funds and securities offerings benefit from EU passports, but language, notification, and local marketing rules must be respected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a security in Greece?

Securities generally include shares, bonds, notes, depositary receipts, warrants, and other transferable instruments that can be traded on the capital market. Units in UCITS and AIFs are also regulated financial instruments. Some crypto tokens may be considered securities if they represent transferable rights similar to shares or bonds. A lawyer can help analyze how a specific instrument is classified.

Do I need a prospectus to offer shares or bonds?

Public offerings to the general public or listings on a regulated market usually require an approved prospectus. There are exemptions for limited offers, qualified investors, and smaller offers subject to conditions, and there may be a requirement to prepare a lighter information document under national rules. Always confirm the route before marketing to avoid an unauthorized public offer.

Who approves prospectuses in Greece?

The Hellenic Capital Market Commission is the competent authority for approving prospectuses for offers to the public or admissions to trading in Greece. Once approved, the prospectus can often be passported to other EU states, and foreign approved prospectuses can be passported into Greece following notification.

What ongoing disclosures must listed companies make?

Listed companies must publish periodic financial reports and disclose inside information as soon as possible unless a lawful delay applies. They must maintain insider lists and ensure persons discharging managerial responsibilities report transactions in the issuer’s securities. Significant shareholding changes must be notified in accordance with national rules that implement the EU transparency regime.

What are the penalties for insider dealing or market manipulation?

Breaches of the EU Market Abuse Regulation can result in administrative fines, trading bans, and other sanctions imposed by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. Serious cases may also attract criminal liability under Greek law. Firms must implement strong controls, training, and surveillance to mitigate these risks.

How can I raise capital privately without a full prospectus?

Private placements to qualified investors or to a limited circle of investors may proceed without a full prospectus if the offer satisfies exemption criteria and marketing is carefully controlled. Documentation typically includes a private placement memorandum, subscription agreements, and corporate approvals, and selling restrictions must be respected. Legal advice helps avoid inadvertently creating a public offer.

I suspect I was mis sold an investment. What can I do?

Gather all documents and communications, note the timeline and the representations made to you, and seek legal advice. You may have contractual, tort, or regulatory based claims, and you can complain to the investment firm and escalate to the Hellenic Capital Market Commission or to an alternative dispute resolution body. Time limits apply, so act quickly.

Are tokens or digital assets regulated as securities in Greece?

It depends on their features. If a token confers rights similar to shares, debt, or other transferable securities, securities rules may apply. If a platform facilitates trading of such tokens, it may need authorization. A case by case legal analysis is required to assess licensing, prospectus, and disclosure duties.

What is the role of corporate governance rules for listed issuers?

Corporate governance rules set board composition, independence, committee structures, internal controls, and related party transaction oversight. They are designed to protect investors and market integrity. Non compliance can lead to regulatory action and reputational harm, and may affect access to capital.

How long does it take to list on the Athens market?

Timing varies with the complexity of the issuer and the offering, the readiness of audited financials and internal controls, and the review process by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the exchange. Simple transactions can take months, while more complex ones require longer. Early legal and financial advisor engagement helps set an achievable timetable.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Capital Market Commission. The national supervisor for public offers, market abuse, investment firms, and fund managers. Publishes decisions, circulars, and enforcement actions that are essential for compliance.

Athens Stock Exchange. Provides listing rulebooks, admission criteria, ongoing obligations, and market notices relevant to issuers and investors.

European Securities and Markets Authority. Issues guidelines and technical standards on prospectuses, market abuse, MiFID II, and funds that apply across the EU and are followed in Greece.

Bank of Greece. The central bank supervises certain financial institutions and publishes financial stability reports relevant to market participants.

General Commercial Registry GEMI. The corporate registry for Greek companies, used for filings on share capital changes, bond loans, and corporate actions that interact with securities processes.

Hellenic Financial Mediator. An alternative dispute resolution body that handles disputes between consumers and financial institutions, including certain investment services disputes.

Ministry of National Economy and Finance. Issues legislation and policy updates that affect taxation and financial markets.

Next Steps

Clarify your objectives and timeline, whether you plan a private placement, public offer, fund launch, listing, or an investment dispute. Assemble key documents such as corporate statutes, financial statements, term sheets, investor presentations, and any marketing materials. Identify where investors are located, since cross border rules may apply.

Contact a securities lawyer experienced with Greek and EU rules. Ask about the regulatory route, required approvals or notifications, documentation, indicative timing, and cost. For disputes, request an initial assessment of potential claims, evidence needed, and available remedies, including regulatory complaints and alternative dispute resolution.

If you face urgent issues such as an investigation, trading suspension, or suspected market abuse, preserve all records, suspend any questionable marketing or trading activity, and seek immediate advice. Establish or refresh compliance policies on disclosure, insider lists, conflicts of interest, and record keeping to reduce future risk.

This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice. A qualified lawyer can tailor advice to your situation in Thivais, taking into account current laws, market practice, and the specifics of your transaction or dispute.