Qualifications
Master of Laws in Maritime law (London Metropolitan University, 2014)
Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Law (London Metropolitan University, 2014)
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Understanding Shipping Course (2007)
Doctor of Law (University of Matej Bel, Slovakia, Commercial and international law, 2005)
Master of Laws (University of Matej Bel, Slovakia, Four major subject (criminal law, civil law, international law, and commercial law- with Excellent, 1999-2003)
Associate Lecturer in Shipping Law, UCLan Cyprus (2016 -now)
Specialization
Commercial Law; Contract law; Company Law; Shipping Law; Dispute Resolution
Employment Track
Sonia Ajini & Co LLC (law firm)- Founder and owner, 2021 to date.
Global Ports Investments Plc- non-executive director from July 2022 to October 2022.
Ajilex Ltd (legal advisors and maritime consultants) – Founder and Managing Director, 2018 to date.
Freelance Legal Advisor to Several Companies, 2018 to date.
Board member of a Group of Companies involved with intellectual property, 2018-2021.
- G. Zambartas LLC, Limassol Cyprus – Senior Legal Consultant, 2010 to 2018.
Elias Marine Consultants Ltd – Claims Executive, 2006-2008.
Interorient Marine Services Ltd – Legal Assistant, 2003-2006
Memberships (Academic/Professional)
- Member of the Cyprus Bar Association
- Member of the Slovak Bar Association
- Director and Vice-president of Cyprus-Slovak Business Association, 2019 to date
- Special Agent of the Liberian Maritime Registry in Cyprus, 2017 to date
- Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre (CAMC)- Director and Secretary General and Company Secretary, 2011 – 2020
- Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Cyprus) – Founding Member, Director and Vice-President, 2012 – 2014
- Cyprus Slovak Friendship Association- Member of the Executive Committee, 2011 – 2014
Research Interests
Commercial Law; Contract law; Company Law; Shipping Law; Dispute Resolution
Roles and Responsibilities (including past roles and responsibilities)
Teaching and Course Leadership
- Commercial and Shipping Law
Selective Publications
2017 Contributor / writer on a study on Protection of Minority Shareholders Rights for the European Commission as a selected National Counsel for Cyprus
2015 Contributor / writer of an Article on Improving access to information in Cyprus in public institutions: recent initiatives and developments (EBRD: LAW IN TRANSITION ONLINE 2015) contributor and co-writer of the study on “Arbitration in Southern Europe”, covering Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain’ for the European Parliament
Selective Conference and Seminar Presentations
2020 Speaker at the Round Table on “Smart shipping: Challenge or opportunity? What sort of revolution will smart-shipping turn out to be?”, 3rd Shipping Symposium ‘The modern challenges of Shipping in Cyprus. Technical and legal trends in Smart Shipping’, organized by UCLan Cyprus School of Law, held under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, Republic of Cyprus, and sponsored by the Hellenic Bank, Limassol, 13 February 2020
2019 Speaker at the 2nd shipping symposium ‘The modern challenges of shipping in Cyprus. Focus on the legal and financial framework and structural reforms’, organised by the Law School, UCLan Cyprus, under the auspices of the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister, externally sponsored by the Hellenic Bank, Limassol, 31 January 2019
2017 Speaker at the Symposium on “The modern challenges of shipping in Cyprus. Focus on the legal framework, financing and dispute resolution” organised by the Law School of UCLan Cyprus with the Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping under the auspices of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus, 7 December 2017. Sponsored by the Hellenic Bank Shipping.
2015 Speaker at a number of conferences held in Cyprus regarding commercial, maritime and arbitration issues and interviews conducted with the Slovak Broadcasting Association of Slovakia regarding Cyprus and its laws and regulations
Consultancy and CPD Training
Legal advisor to the Czech Embassy in Cyprus
Ad hoc legal advisor to the Slovak Embassy in Cyprus
Scholarships/Awards
2021, Listed amongst 100 top women in shipping award for 2020, All about shipping.com
2020, Listed amongst 100 top women in shipping award for 2019, All about shipping.com
2019, Finalist in the Kivotos Golden Lady Business Award of Cyprus in the category of Corporate Entrepreneur
Other Scholarly and Outreach Activities
2015 Letter of appreciation from the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Mr. Miroslav Lajcak regarding Sonia’s legal assistance to the Slovaks in Cyprus
