The Resident Judge and any Acting, or Associate Judge are called “Your Honour” in Court, and “Judge” if in Chambers, that is to say, in the Judges private room.
The Senior Judge, Deputy Senior Judges and Acting Deputy Senior Judges are referred to as “My Lord(s)” in Court and “Judge” in chambers.
“Sir” is perfectly acceptable if you have difficulty remembering.
Will the Judge wear a wig and a gown (“Robes”)?
For Guilty pleas and normal applications in Court, the Judges do not wear wigs and gowns (“robe”).
For Civil and Criminal trials (“hearings”) and Appeals, robes are normally worn.
If the judge robes, then advocates are expected to do so as well.
If I am fined can I have time to pay?
There is provision for time to pay (“payment by instalments”) if you can prove that you have a low income and/or very heavy commitments. However you will need to produce some evidence in support.
Remember that a fine ALWAYS has an alternative prison sentence attached to it, so if you miss your instalment you may be arrested and the sentence activated.
What happens if I miss my hearing?
If the Court is satisfied that you knew the date of the hearing-that is to say that you were personally told the date at the Police Station or at Court, then the likelihood is that the Prosecution will ask for a Warrant for your Arrest. This may be “Backed for Bail” (meaning that you can be released once you have paid a certain amount as security for your attendance at Court) or “Not Backed for Bail” meaning that you will be kept in custody until you can be brought before the Court.
IF YOU MISS YOUR COURT DATE THROUGH A GENUINE MISTAKE THEN CONTACT THE POLICE OR THE COURT IMMEDIATELY SO THAT THE MATTER MAY BE RESOLVED SPEEDILY
In what language are the proceedings conducted?
The Official language of the Court is English and all proceedings by law must be in English. In Criminal cases the Court must provide an interpreter to interpret for the Accused in a language which s/he understands. In civil cases the responsibility is upon the individual parties to provide their own interpreter.
Advocates are required to present in English. The Rules of the Cyprus Bar Association provide as follows;
- “Rule 14. Where the exercising of the legal profession is permitted (in another jurisdiction), then the Advocate must respect the Rules of the Code of Conduct of the (jurisdiction) in which he is exercising his professional activity
- Rule 33. An advocate appearing before any Court must keep the rules of the code of conduct which apply before Court”
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