court backlog — Cyprus has significantly reduced its court backlog, achieving a clearance of nearly 70% of cases pending since 2018, surpassing its target by almost double. However, the justice system faces ongoing hurdles concerning the establishment of a new courthouse, digitalisation, and the creation of specialist courts, raising concerns among legal professionals about access to justice.
Justice Minister Kostas Fytris provided this update to parliament, highlighting that the initial target set under the Recovery and Resilience Plan aimed for a 40% reduction by June 2026. While this progress is notable, lawyers express worry over the growing number of cases filed after 2018, which are not included in the current plan.
Fytris acknowledged the troubling trend in which citizens are increasingly avoiding the courts for civil disputes, as they are aware of the long wait times for case resolution. This trend underscores the need for swift reform in the judicial system to restore public confidence.
Responding to inquiries from MP Charalambos Theopemptou regarding a 2018 European Commission report, Fytris noted the introduction of New Civil Procedure Regulations on 1 September 2023. These regulations aim to streamline court processes by establishing advance timetables for cases, including predetermined hearing dates.
Despite these efforts, the establishment of a Commercial Court and an Admiralty Court, approved in May 2022, has yet to materialise, with neither court currently operational. The advertisements for the posts of Admiralty Court judges signal a step forward, but significant delays remain.
Several bills are currently pending in parliament, including one that seeks to broaden the jurisdiction of Senior District and District judges, alongside another aimed at strengthening mediation processes. Under the proposed mediation rules, an initial session would be obligatory for disputes valued at up to €5,000, with penalties for parties that fail to attend.
On the subject of the much-anticipated Nicosia District Courthouse, which is projected to cost over €100 million, Fytris could not provide a definitive timeline for its completion. He mentioned that the construction is still progressing, yet the project has faced delays due to an unresolved agreement with the United Nations, which has resulted in escalating costs.
The digitalisation of court processes is also in a state of uncertainty. Following the failure of the initial e-justice system, Cyprus is now working on the i-justice project, which is funded through the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Supreme Court anticipates that an upgraded version will be available by next summer.
Currently, judges are managing court administration, a situation deemed a chronic failing by experts, prompting the Supreme Court to collaborate with the Finance Ministry, the Department of Public Administration and Personnel, and the Justice Ministry to prepare a dedicated study on the matter.
