ΑΝΩΤΑΤΟ ΔΙΚΑΣΤΗΡΙΟ
Date of establishment: 1960
Address and e-mail of the court:
Charalambos Mouskos,
1404 Nicosia, Cyprus
Website:
Link to the national database of their case law:
www.leginet.org (by subscription)
Position of the supreme court in the national court system is Final Court
What does the court decide about:
- The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus
- The laws retained in force by virtue of Article 188 of the Constitution
- The principles of Common Law and Equity
- The Laws enacted by the House of Representatives
The principals of procedure:
Civil and Criminal Procedure Rules
The number of justices and panel
There are 85 Judges serving in all Courts of first instance and 13 Judges serving in the Supreme Court.
How are the justices appointed:
The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of the Republic who, customarily obtains the recommendations of the Supreme Court beforehand. The selection is usually made from among the senior Presidents of District Courts. To qualify for appointment a candidate must be an advocate with at least 12 years practice (a term which also includes service in any judicial post) and of high moral standard.
The District Judges, Senior District Judges and Presidents of District Courts are appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature, a body consisting of the judges of the Supreme Court.
To qualify for appointment as a District Judge a candidate must be an advocate with at least 6 years practice (or 5 years on the recommendation of 2/3 of the members of the Council) and of high moral standard.
To qualify for appointment to the post of Senior District Judge or President of District Court, a candidate must be an advocate of at least 10 years practice (a term which also includes service in any judicial post) and of high moral standard.
Judges of the Courts exercising specialised jurisdiction, are also appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature. The qualifications required for appointment are set-out in the respective legislation by virtue of which these Courts were established.