Legal System of Cyprus
Cyprus is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in middle east, island in the mediterranean sea, south of turkey; note - cyprus views itself as part of europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within europe, the middle east, or both. The country achieved independence on 16 august 1960 (from the uk). The capital is Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa).
Government Overview
Government Type: Republic of Cyprus - presidential republic; self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency Chief of State: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023) Head of Government: President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos) National Holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Cyprus is described as mixed system of English common law and civil law, with European law supremacy International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: ratified 16 August 1960
Amendment Process: constitution of the Republic of Cyprus – proposed by the House of Representatives; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the “Greek Community” and the “Turkish Community”; however, all seats of Turkish Cypriot members have remained vacant since 1964
constitution of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” – proposed by at least 10 members of the “Assembly of the Republic”; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and approval by referendum
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges, including the court president) Judge Selection: Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic on the recommendation of the Supreme Court judges; judges can serve until age 68; “TRNC Supreme Court” judges appointed by the “Supreme Council of Judicature,” a 12-member body of judges, the attorney general, appointees by the president of the “TRNC,” and by the “Legislative Assembly,” and members elected by the bar association; judge tenure NA Subordinate Courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; Administrative Court; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, the military, and rent control; “TRNC Assize Courts”; “TNRC district and family courts”
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: the area of Cyprus that Turkish Cypriots administer has a separate unicameral Assembly of the Republic, or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats); members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 after years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued and forced most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Cyprus based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.