The importance of addressing the ongoing delays in the administration of justice in Cyprus was emphasized at the 4th Annual Conference of the Procedural Law Unit of the University of Nicosia’s Faculty of Law.
The symposium, successfully held on December 14, 2024, focused on the topic "Judicial Delays Threatening the Rule of Law." Discussions centered on the delays encountered in the adjudication of cases in Cypriot courts, the current operational framework, and ways to further improve it, while also addressing European standards on judicial independence.
One of the main conclusions from the conference, based on the statements of both Cypriot and foreign speakers, was the need to promote procedures for resolving civil disputes under 10,000 euros through mandatory mediation, as well as establishing a fast-track process for small claims up to 3,000 euros. These proposals are already in the implementation phase by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, Mr. Nikos Tornaritis, emphasized that justice must be not only fair but also timely. He assured that the parliament supports every initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness of the judicial system, acting with consistency and responsibility.
The Director of the Judges’ School, Ms. Rea Limnati, highlighted that effective judicial protection is a fundamental principle of the rule of law. She also warned that criticism leading to the discrediting of justice could create dangerous conditions for society.
The Commissioner for Legislation, Ms. Louisa Christodoulidou Zannetou, emphasized that the slow administration of justice effectively undermines justice itself. She pointed out that delays not only undermine the fundamental principle of the rule of law but also violate citizens' right to a fair trial, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution.
The President of the Cyprus Bar Association, Mr. Michalis Vorkas, reiterated the Association's proposals for addressing delays in justice. He placed particular emphasis on the importance of utilizing technology, hiring more staff, and specializing judges.
The event featured speakers such as Mr. Angelos Binis, representing the European Commission, Mr. Tigran Karapetyan on behalf of the Council of Europe, Ms. Theano Mavromoustaki from the Attorney General's Office, and over 20 other lawyers and academics from Cyprus and abroad.
The event featured speakers such as Mr. Angelos Binis, representing the European Commission, Mr. Tigran Karapetyan on behalf of the Council of Europe, Ms. Theano Mavromoustaki from the Attorney General's Office, and over 20 other lawyers and academics from Cyprus and abroad.
A significant part of the Symposium was dedicated to presenting and analyzing a quantitative opinion survey on the quality of civil justice in Cyprus. The survey, conducted by IMR for the third consecutive year, revealed the following:
- • The justice system reached its lowest point in 2024, with 47% of participants expressing complete dissatisfaction (40% in 2023, 32% in 2022). Only 19% (21% in 2023, 25% in 2022) stated they were very or somewhat satisfied.
- • 27% (24% in 2023, 21% in 2022) of participants stated they were not at all satisfied with the quality of judicial decisions, while 43% (45% in 2023, 48% in 2022) said they were somewhat satisfied.
- • The dissatisfaction with the quality of decisions was attributed 39% to delays in issuing decisions, 36% to corruption, and 33% to decisions that were not legally substantiated.
The conference was organized by Oxygen for Democracy, in collaboration with the Procedural Law Unit of the University of Nicosia and under the auspices of the Cyprus Bar Association. The general coordination of the conference was undertaken by Dr. Nikolas Kyriakides, a member of the teaching staff of the University of Nicosia’s Faculty of Law and a lawyer.
