Cyprus courts and legal system structure
The Cyprus legal system covers court levels, appeal routes, legal sources and where legislation is made available.
Court hierarchy
Cyprus describes its court structure as a pyramid, with two supreme courts at the top, intermediate appellate courts, and courts of first instance at the base.[2]
The two highest courts are the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. First instance courts include Assize Courts, District Courts and other courts with special jurisdiction.[2]
Between those levels, the structure places the Administrative Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal.[2]
- Top level: Supreme Constitutional Court and Supreme Court.[2]
- Intermediate level: Administrative Court of Appeal and Court of Appeal.[2]
- First instance level: Assize Courts, District Courts and special-jurisdiction courts.[2]
The court hierarchy runs from first instance courts through an intermediate appellate level to the supreme level.[2]
Legal tradition and sources of law
Cyprus's legal system retains substantial influence from English law, Common Law, Equity and the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition, adapted to the state's constitutional and institutional structure.[3]
The Supreme Court identifies the Constitution as the state's supreme law.[3]
- The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.[3]
- Common Law and Equity principles, where consistent with the Constitution and legislation.[3]
- Legislation enacted by the House of Representatives.[3]
The Supreme Court explains that the constitutional framework recognizes the supremacy of European law over domestic law, in accordance with principles governing the European Union's legal system.[3]
Legislation and constitutional texts
A consolidated English translation of the Constitution, as amended, is available on the Office of the Law Commissioner's website under the Legislation section.[4]
Key points
Assize Courts and District Courts are first instance courts at the base of the hierarchy.
Related reading
Related topics include Cyprus international trust legislation for Cyprus trust law, Cyprus regulation of trust service providers for trust service provider regulation, and Cyprus reporting rules and U.S. trust forms for reporting topics. For comparison, Malta's courts and legal system and Liechtenstein's courts and legal system cover court structures in other jurisdictions.
Questions and answers
What courts are at the top of the Cyprus court structure?
The structure places the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court at the top.[2]
Which courts are identified as courts of first instance?
The courts of first instance are the Assize Courts, the District Courts and other courts with special jurisdiction. These courts sit at the base of the court hierarchy.[2]
Which courts sit between first instance and the top level?
The intermediate level includes the Administrative Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal.[2]
What legal tradition influences Cyprus?
The system retains influence from English law, Common Law and Equity, as well as the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition. This influence is adapted to the state's constitutional and institutional structure.[3]
What sources of law does the Supreme Court identify?
The listed sources include the Constitution, laws preserved under Article 188, Common Law and Equity principles where they do not conflict with written law, and legislation enacted by the House of Representatives.[3]
Where is the English Constitution translation available?
The consolidated English translation of the Constitution is available on the Office of the Law Commissioner's website under the Legislation section.[4]
Related resources
Related articles and guides
- Liechtenstein's courts and legal system: Liechtenstein's ordinary courts hear civil and criminal matters at three levels, with defined appeal routes, legal frameworks and legislation resources.
- Cook Islands courts and legal system: A guide for U.S. citizens to the Cook Islands court structure, court administration, appeal path, legal tradition and official sources for legislation.
- Mauritius courts and legal system structure: Mauritius has a two-tier judicial system. The Supreme Court hears first-instance cases and also hears appeals from subordinate courts across the country.
Related pages
- Cyprus: overview: Start page for this jurisdiction.
- Trust legislation
- Trustee regulation and licensing
- Reporting and information exchange
Sources and data notes
- Republic of Cyprus, Legislation. https://www.gov.cy/en/services/justice-and-public-order/nomothesies/. Retrieved .
- Supreme Court of Cyprus, Court Chart. https://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/DMLchart_en/DMLchart_en%26print. Retrieved .
- Supreme Court of Cyprus, Legal System. https://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/DMLLegSystem_en/DMLLegSystem_en. Retrieved .
- Office of the Commissioner for Legislation, Republic of Cyprus, Translation and Consolidation of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. https://www.gov.cy/en/commissioners/translation-and-consolidation-of-the-constitution-of-the-republic-of-cyprus/. Retrieved .
Dates in this block record when each source was read for this page.