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The
Courts comprise the Resident Judges’ Court, staffed by a single judge
who is resident in Cyprus . This Court deals with less serious criminal
cases and civil cases with a value of up to £50,000, and The Senior
Judges’ Court, staffed by a panel of visiting judges from England and
Wales. There is a Senior Judge who presides, and a number of deputy
Senior Judges. This Court deals with more serious criminal offences and
civil cases with a value in excess of £50,000.It also deals with
Appeals against decisions of the Resident Judge.
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These Courts were set up following the Treaty of establishment in 1960 by which the Republic of Cyprus gained independence.
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The Courts serve all the population living or working in , or
transiting through the Sovereign Bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which
are those portions of the Island of Cyprus that were not included in
the Republic of Cyprus at independence.
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This includes all Citizens of the Republic and any others living and
working in the Sovereign Base Areas, the military community and its
families and dependents, and any tourists passing through.
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The Courts do not deal with purely military offences which are the province of military courts, known as” Courts Martial”.
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The Courts apply neither military law nor English law; they apply
Sovereign Base Area law, which is closely aligned with, and in some
cases identical to, the laws operating within the Republic of Cyprus
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There is one Court House in Episkopi serving the Sovereign Base Area of
Akrotiri and another in Dhekelia serving that Sovereign Base Area.
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Each of the two Court Houses has a Registrar responsible for the day to
day running of the Court, and a Bailiff responsible for the issue of,
and service of, Summonses. There is a PA (Personal Assistant), who is
also the Court stenographer (shorthand writer) for the judge and an
usher (who is also the judge’s driver). These two staff are based at
Episkopi but travel with the judge when he goes to Dhekelia. In
addition, the Registrar at Episkopi is also the Senior Registrar
controlling all the staff at either Court House.
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The Resident Judge is based at Episkopi. He is an English judge
seconded to the post from The Department of Constitutional Affairs in
the United Kingdom . The Senior Judge deals with more serious cases and
appeals, and travels out from the United Kingdom as and when required.
He is assisted by a panel of other Deputy Senior Judges who sit with
him in a Court of three judges for the more serious cases.
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In addition there are some Associate and Acting judges to cover for the
Resident Judge when he is off island. These are retired full time
judges or else practicing lawyers of appropriate qualification.
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The Courts apply both Criminal and Civil law; the latter including a small amount of Family or Divorce law.
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The Resident Judge is also ex officio Her Majesty’s Coroner for the
Sovereign Base Areas dealing with all sudden or suspicious deaths
occurring within the Sovereign Base Areas. He is assisted by 3 other
medically qualified Coroners.
What you can expect from the Court
- You are entitled to be treated fairly and courteously at all times.
- You are entitled to clarify the practice and procedure of the Court with the Police or Prosecutor, or the Registrar.
- You are entitled to respect for your religious, cultural or spiritual needs.
- You are entitled not to be discriminated against in any way.
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You are entitled to as speedy a resolution of your case in accordance
with the resources available to the Court and the wishes and
requirements of all others concerned in the case.
- In appropriate cases, legal aid may be available to you, either free of charge or with a contribution.
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In a Criminal case the Court will obtain an interpreter for you to
explain what is being said during the court proceedings.
What the Court expects from you
- The Court is entitled to courtesy and respect from you.
- That you will be appropriately dressed.
- That you will deal with the Prosecutor, the Police and any witnesses politely and without aggression.
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That you have with you any relevant information-for example if you seek
an adjournment of the case because of a medical appointment, that you
have evidence of that with you. Or that if you are pleading a low
income that you produce your pay slips in support.
- Rudeness to, or disobedience of, the Court is punishable as Contempt of Court and can result in imprisonment.
What the Court cannot do for you.
- The Court cannot act for you as your lawyer. That is to say, the Court cannot give you legal advice.
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The Court cannot recommend a particular lawyer to you-merely give you a
list of names of Advocates entitled to practice within Her Majesty’s
Courts.
- In a Civil case, you are responsible for arranging your own interpreter if you require one.
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