Litigation

In order to meet the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court of Cyprus adopted unanimously on Monday, 16^th March 2020, the following measures.

A. The suspension of all cases in all Courts, of every instance and jurisdiction, from the 16^th of March 2020 to the 30^th of April 2020 with the exception of the following:

1.  In relation to Civil Cases, only the following shall be placed on trial:

(i). Applications for interim orders in cases of extreme urgency. The urgency shall be decided by the competent Judge, from whom prior special leave shall need to be obtained.

(ii). Appeals relating to property auction proceedings under Part VIA of the Transfer and Mortgage of Property Law of 1965 (as amended).

(iii). Applications for Habeas Corpus,

(iv). Extradition proceedings of fugitives or wanted persons,

(v). Writs of certiorari, habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition and quo warranto of an urgent nature, at the Court’s discretion,

(vi). Proceedings involving political asylum, of an urgent nature at the Court’s discretion,

(vii). Appeals of an urgent nature, at the Court’s discretion.

2. In relation to Criminal Cases, the following will be placed on trial:

(i). Cases where the defendants are under detention,

(ii). Cases involving the request of detention of suspects or defendants, including remands.

(iii). Cases in relation to the Purification Law and the relevant Decrees issued by the Minister of Health.

(vi). Cases of an urgent nature at the Court’s Discretion.

(v). Appeals on a prison sentence or detention or any other appeal which is deemed to be extremely urgent by the Court.

Emergency proceedings in relation to applications for an order of psychiatric care, legal aid for any of the abovementioned situations, for applications for any emergency orders under specific laws such as expulsion orders or any other orders in relation to domestic violence etc. It is understood that the filing and hearing of such applications are subject to the Court’s discretion on what can constitute an urgent matter.

The issuing of Judgments at all stages and processes is also excluded.

3. Regarding filings at the Court Registries, the following are applicable:

(i). Actions, administrative recourses, general petitions or other procedures, accompanied by requests for the issuance of interim orders of an urgent nature. The urgency of the filing shall be determined by the competent Court.

(ii). Appeals regarding auctions of real estate under Part VIA of the Transfer and Mortgage of Property Law of 1965 (as amended).

(iii). Appeals and writs of an urgent nature at the discretion of the Court.

(iv). Applications in relation tο extradition proceedings of fugitives or wanted persons.

(v). Criminal cases involving requests of detention.

(vi). Criminal cases pursuant to the Purification Law and the relevant Decrees issued by the Minister of Health.

(vii). Criminal cases specifically requested by the Attorney General as a matter of urgency.

The Filing of applications for legal aid in relation to the above exceptions will also be accepted.

Applications will also be accepted for psychiatric care procedures or for the issuance of urgent orders under any law as set forth above.

Filing of any cases subject to limitation either by the Constitution or by Law will be accepted.

Extremely urgent affidavits will be accepted at the discretion of the competent Court Registrar.

C. The deadlines and the time limits laid down by the Civil Procedure Rules or the Courts are suspended from 16.3.2020 to 30.4.2020.

D. Matters relating to the functioning of the Courts arising from the application of these measures shall be regulated with decisions of the Administrative President of each Court.

E. The Supreme Court may at any time change/adjust the above directives according to the prevailing circumstances.

We remain at your disposal for any clarification you might require.

Contact us via email at info@zambartaslegal.com or telephone +35722262108