Filenews 18 September 2025 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
The problems with the delay in the adjudication of cases by the Courts were discussed yesterday in the Parliament with the data showing the problem, despite the improvement that has been noted.
According to the official data of the European Commission's Rule of Law Report for 2025, while in civil and commercial cases the trial time in the courts of first instance decreased from 761 days in 2022 to 605 in 2023, Cyprus still records one of the highest average times for issuing decisions in the European Union.
Even more worrying is the picture in administrative cases at second instance, where in 2023 the trial time amounted to 5,429 days, more than double compared to 2022 and by far the highest in Europe.
Due to these data, an ex officio issue was written in the Parliament with the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Irene Christodoulou, stressing that the reform of the Justice is a work that has not been completed, weaknesses are identified, corrective measures are taken and recently a regulation was made and the control of the Administrative Courts was assigned to the Supreme Constitutional Court.
Regarding the delays, he said that it is the problem that is constantly monitored, the Supreme Court is constantly taking corrective measures, there is a redistribution where there is a delay and our obligation under the recovery and resilience plan, to adjudicate 40% of the delayed cases to date, 60% have been adjudicated.
Ms. Christodoulou admitted that there is a problem with building facilities and if its solution is not promoted, it will weaken, bringing back the problem with the building of the new Nicosia Court.
We are proceeding with the restructuring of the criminal courts, while for the creation of a Judicial Service, he said that there will be a restructuring of the administration based on the model of Ireland.
The representative of the Ministry of Justice, Phaedra Grigoriou, stressed that the report on the Rule of Law is positive, "we understand the delay that exists in the adjudication of cases. The clearance of backlog of cases began and the new institutions of civil procedure were introduced. It takes time to see the results," he said.
Andreas Tserkezos, also a registrar, stated that since last Monday, the program for obtaining testimony and documents electronically has been in operation.
The representative of the Cyprus Bar Association, Christos Karas, stated that the delay in the adjudication of cases creates a problem in the non-registration of new cases, "the volume has decreased very much, people do not appeal to Justice, while the execution of decisions is also a problem".
According to Commission President Nikos Tornaritis, the European Commission's 6th annual report on the Rule of Law records a deterioration in citizens' perception of judicial independence compared to 2024. This is a worrying message that we cannot ignore, he said and added: These delays are not just statistics. It is a daily reality that affects the credibility of justice, erodes citizens' trust in institutions and ultimately weakens the rule of law itself.
