Actions and Suggestions for Improving Civil Justice in Cyprus

The revealing findings of a study conducted by the Procedural Law Unit of the School of Law of the University of Nicosia will be presented at a Symposium on December 15

The situation of Justice in Cyprus has been troubling the stakeholders, the business community, and the society in general for years, 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 field of Justice in Cyprus will be presented at the forthcoming Symposium of the Procedural Law Unit of the School of Law of the University of Nicosia, titled: ‘Civil Justice in Cyprus: Suggestions and Actions’. The Symposium will be held on December 15, 2021, between 10:00 and 13:00 at Cine Studio, University of Nicosia, in memory of Alecos Markides.

The Symposium will enjoy attendance by several officials from the executive and legislative authority, who will present their views and suggestions on the subject. At the same time, pioneering studies will be presented 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 and Dr Nicolas Kyriakides, Lawyer, Adjunct Faculty, School of Law, University of Nicosia and co-Director of the Procedural Law Unit. The conclusions of the studies can contribute to the achievement of the goal for fast and smooth operation of the Justice system in Cyprus.

The presentation of the empirical research on the quality of the Justice System in Cyprus is considered of particular importance. As part of this research, more than 200 lawyers answered a structured questionnaire where they were asked about issues such as the image of lawyers in society, the training of both the lawyers and the 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 introductory greetings 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 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 Massod Ahmed, Assistant Professor at the University of Leicester.

Furthermore, professors from all the law schools of Cypriot universities, as well as several lawyers will participate. It is worth mentioning that the Symposium is supported by ten law firms in Cyprus.

Dr Anna Plevri’s statement regarding the Symposium:

“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.”

For his part, Dr Nicolas 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.”

The ‘Civil Justice in Cyprus: Suggestions and Actions’ Symposium will be held on December 15, 2021, at 10:00-13:00, at the Cine Studio of the University of Nicosia and constitutes a Pancyprian Bar Association certified event.

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.