For years, the state of justice in Cyprus has been troubling stakeholders, the business community and society in general, and, despite the continuous efforts made to improve the situation, it is a common perception that much remains to be done, and that there is no room for further delay.

Some of the most important issues concerning the justice system in Cyprus will be presented at the forthcoming Symposium of the Procedural Law Unit of the University of Nicosia’s School of Law, titled: ‘Civil Justice in Cyprus: Suggestions and Actions’.

The Symposium will be held on December 15, 10am-1pm at the University of Nicosia’s Cine Studio, in memory of Alecos Markides, and constitutes a Pancyprian Bar Association certified event.

Several officials from the executive and legislative authority will participate in the event, presenting their views and suggestions on the subject. At the same time, pioneering studies will be shared and analysed by the Directors of the Procedural Law Unit, Dr. Anna Em. Plevri, Lawyer and Assistant Professor of Civil Procedure, School of Law, University of Nicosia and Director of the Procedural Law Unit, as well as Dr. Nicolas Kyriakides, Lawyer, Adjunct Faculty, School of Law, University of Nicosia and co-Director of the Procedural Law Unit. The studies’ conclusions can contribute to achieving the timely and smooth operation of the island’s justice system.

The presentation of the empirical research on the quality of the justice system in Cyprus is considered of particular importance. As part of this study, over 200 lawyers answered a structured questionnaire where they were asked about such issues as the image of lawyers in society, the training of both lawyers and judges, but also about the way courts operate in practice.

Moreover, a case study analysing the solutions applied to a jurisdiction in the United States where there was significant delay in the administration of justice, will also be presented.

The Symposium will enjoy addresses by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Nicos Tornaritis, the President of the Pancyprian Bar Association and Head of Department of Law at Frederick University, Dr. Christos Clerides, and the Dean of the School of Law of the University of Nicosia, Professor Achilles K. Emilianides.

Speakers at the Symposium include the Rt. Hon. Lord Dyson, who pioneered the forthcoming Cypriot Civil Justice Reform, David Rosenberg, Harvard Law School Professor, Adrian Zuckerman, Oxford University Emeritus Professor, Wendy Kennett, Senior Lecturer and Cardiff University, and Masood Ahmed, Assistant Professor at the University of Leicester.

Furthermore, professors from all Cypriot university law schools, as well as several lawyers will participate. The Symposium itself has the support of 10 law firms in Cyprus.

“During this Symposium, important research findings will be presented, and conclusions which can greatly help in many of the issues Cyprus justice is facing, will be drawn,” Dr. Plevri notes.

For his part, Dr. Kyriakides states: “The goal is to establish the Symposium as an annual forum where the most important issues and developments concerning the operation of the courts in Cyprus and the world will be presented, discussed and analysed.”

To attend the event, follow the instructions below:

  • Lawyers for continuing vocational training units from the Pancyprian Bar Association, click here
  • Non-Lawyers click here

At the same time, the Symposium will also be available online on the Procedural Law Unit’s Facebook page, on University of Nicosia’s Law School Facebook Page, and on the Procedural Law Unit channel on YouTube .