Michael J Harakis FCIArb

Alma maters:

University of Southampton, University College London, and Kings College London.

Solicitor Advocate of the British Virgin Islands, England and Wales and Advocate of Cyprus Bar

I have acted for and against individuals, multinationals, international organisations and states; in various forums including the English Courts, Greek Courts, Cypriot Courts the ECJ and in arbitration under, among others, LCIA, LMAA, ICC and ad hoc rules. I have provided expert evidence on English law in courts in California, Heraklion, Malta, New York (including appellate level), Piraeus and Volos.

The areas of law have practised in included banking law, construction law, cybersecurity, EU law, international trade, investment law and shipping law.

I accept appointments as arbitrator Chairman of the Arbitration Committee of Volt Europa, and am a supporting member of the LMAA.

I am now based in Limaassol but spend much time in Athens where I am a consultant to LCI Law LLC. https://lci.law/

Occasionally I assist litigants pro bono or at a very reduced cost, provided there is a real need and that the matter makes my blood boil.

Kind quote about me.

“I have reached the conclusion in the course of and, indeed towards the end of, Mr. Harakis’ powerful submissions….” Burton J, Commercial Court.

(There are many unkind ones, I am sure; but I work hard not to deserve them. The truth is I work hard to overcome imposter syndrome.)

Areas of experience (and maybe some expertise)

  • I have acted for and against individuals, multinationals and states under LCIA, LMAA, ICC and ad hoc rules in arbitrations seated in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Greece, the Hague, and London. The amounts involved have ranged from less than US$5,000 to over US$8 billion.

    The areas covered included, maritime law, investment law, construction, and defence procurement projects.

    I am a supporting member of the LMAA and accept appointments as arbitrator.

  • I advised ministers and (with Treasury Solicitors) handled major transport cases taken to the ECJ over a period of 6 years when I worked for the United Kingdom Department for Transport.

    The cases included Heinrich C-345/06 (whether secret aviation security rules could have the status of law), Intertanko v SoS for Transport C-308/06 (on the validity of ship source pollution directive in international law), West Tankers C-185/07 (on the legality of anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitration), Commission v Italy (whether traffic rules on use of vehicles were an interference with free movement rights).

  • I have provided legal services to the shipping industry for many years in one form or another.

    For over 15 years I practiced dispute resolution with major international shipping firms based in London and Athens. I have handled cases ranging from charterparty, bill of lading disputes, marine insurance claims, ship sale and purchase, ship finance disputes, collisions, salvage, crew injury, and more. My experience includes advocacy before tribunals and the Commercial Court in London.

    I also worked as a government lawyer in the Department for Transport and the Law Commission of the United Kingdom where I advised ministers, advised on law reform and represented the UK internationally on transport issues.

  • I served in the government legal service of the United Kingdom mainly for the Department for Transport, where main field was EU and public international law.

    Among other things, this required me to negotiate the terms of international agreements and advise ministers on the same. Among, other matters I dealt with were the Rotterdam Rules where I was the lawyer representing the UK and advising the UK delegation; I was the departments lawyer on Eurotunnel v UK and France ad hoc arbitration in the Hague; I worked extensively on the Galileo Programme.

    Public international law has been a significant part of my work in private practice which has included advising states, acting in international arbitration, and advising on the legality of state actions under the law of the sea.