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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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