Litigation & Dispute Resolution in Cyprus

The duration varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case and the court’s workload. Simple cases before the District Court may be resolved in 6-12 months, while complex commercial disputes can take 2-4 years. Appeals to the Supreme Court add an additional 1-2 years.

Litigation costs include legal fees, court filing fees, and potential expert witness fees. Cyprus follows the ‘loser pays’ principle, meaning the unsuccessful party is generally ordered to pay a contribution towards the successful party’s legal costs. We provide detailed cost estimates at the outset of each case.

Mediation is not mandatory in Cyprus, but courts increasingly encourage parties to attempt mediation before proceeding to trial. Cyprus has enacted the Mediation in Civil Disputes Law (Law 159(I)/2012) which provides a framework for mediation. We recommend considering mediation as it can resolve disputes faster and more cost-effectively than litigation.