Finding a good lawyer in a new country is not an easy task and can be a tall order even for seasoned expats. Even though Cyprus has a well-developed legal system with a wide range of high quality legal services, searching for the right lawyer requires time and research and can often be confusing. At the same time, having a good lawyer in Cyprus can help you overcome a variety of legal issues and hurdles.
So, if you're thinking of relocating to Cyprus or require local legal assistance we have compiled this guide to help you. Whether you need legal advice regarding property law, family law, immigration or corporate law, we’ve got you covered! In this article we’ll tell you more about the island’s legal system and legal services. We’ll also take a look at which types of legal professionals can be found on the island, their areas of expertise, useful tips and things to consider before hiring a Cyprus lawyer. So, if you are looking for someone to assist you with legal issues in Cyprus, keep on reading!
Cypriot legal system
After many years of British rule, the Cypriot legal system has adopted many British common law principles. Today, as an EU member, Cyprus recognises European law and decisions made by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The island’s legal system is also in full compliance with international law regulations.
Cyprus has a well-structured court system, consisting of Supreme Court, District Courts and Specialised Courts. Whilst district courts handle civil legal issues as well as criminal and administrative cases, the Supreme Court handles constitutional legal issues and appeals. Specialised courts are dedicated to a specific area, such as family legal issues, rental disputes, industrial disputes etc.
Types of legal professionals
Unlike the UK legal system, which divides legal professionals into barristers and solicitors, in Cyprus all professional lawyers can offer both legal advice and court representation.
A Cyprus lawyer, commonly known as an «advocate», can provide all forms of legal assistance offering a wide range of legal services, including:
- Court representation
- Legal advice
- Drafting contracts, wills and other legal documents
- Company registration
- Property transactions
- Notary services
All Cyprus lawyers must be accredited by Cyprus bar association and must provide their licence number. Every qualified Cyprus lawyer must first pass Cyprus bar association examinations in order to gain the licence. Providing services without a licence is illegal. In addition, by law, every Cyprus lawyer must have professional indemnity insurance to protect their practice and clients.
Interesting fact: Cyprus Bar Association is both a regulatory and a representative body, which deals with complaints against lawyers, but also represents the interests of legal professionals in Cyprus. Each city has its own district Bar Association office.
A Cyprus lawyer may offer legal services independently by establishing own legal practice, or as a member of a larger law firm. A legal professional hired to work in-house for a company is often referred to as «counsel».
Main practice areas
Cyprus legal system is very structured and local law firms provide legal services in the following areas:
- Family law is one of the most common law practices in Cyprus. If you are looking to solemnise a marriage or civil partnership in Cyprus, you might require legal services of a family law firm. Family law firms also offer legal assistance with divorce and separation procedures, custody and child support, and facilitate the division of property between spouses.
- Criminal law covers criminal offences in Cyprus and handles defence and persecution in criminal courts.
- Property law handles purchase and sale transactions of land and property as well as lease agreements. A property law professional can also conduct title deed checks and handle land disputes, if they arise — very common and quite often necessary practices in Cyprus. So, if you're looking to buy land or property on this beautiful island, you will most certainly require the legal services of a property law professional.
- Employment law professional offers legal assistance with employment contracts, collective agreements and trade union matters.
- Corporate law firms specialise in commercial law, company registration and administration, banking and finance. Tax support also falls under the commercial law category. Corporate law in Cyprus complies with international law and EU regulations and is very favourable for foreign investors and business owners. So, if you want to establish a company in Cyprus or transfer your business here from overseas, a corporate law professional will assist you.
- Trusts and estate planning law includes trust formation and management, wills and succession planning.
- Immigration law handles residency and work permits and citizenship applications.
- International law ensures protection of human rights in Cyprus. It also handles property disputes and maritime issues. As an EU state, Cyprus' legal system is designed to meet International law regulations in compliance with EU directives.
There are also some highly specialised areas of expertise, such as Intellectual Property (IP) law and Data Protection & Technology law, amongst many others.
In Cyprus, it is quite common for a single lawyer or a small firm to act as a general practice by offering a broad range of legal services. Whilst, the medium and larger firms are slightly more specialised and might focus on just a couple of areas, such as international law or corporate law, for example. There are also niche boutique law firms offering expertise in one specific area, such as IP and Technology law, Shipping law and Energy law.
How to pick a good lawyer
Interestingly enough, Cyprus has the highest lawyer to population ratios in Europe, with more than 505 legal professionals per 100,000 local citizens.
According to Cyprus Bar Association, the island boasts more than 4000 licensed advocates and over 400 registered law firms.
So, finding the right lawyer should be a piece of cake? Yes and no — there are still many things to consider.
For example, almost every Cypriot family has a trusted lawyer that handles all of the family’s legal issues. And, one of the easiest and reliable ways to find a good lawyer in Cyprus is word of mouth. However, most of these legal services fall under the family law category.
As a foreigner, you might require very specific legal advice — for example, legal assistance in areas of corporate law, immigration law or property law. So in order to find the right lawyer for your case, it’s best to do your own research.
Where to look
The Cyprus Bar Association (CBA) website is the first place to go when searching for a good lawyer. It has a full database of all licensed lawyers in Cyprus. You can also check the lawyer’s licence number here, if in doubt.
You can also use international and local directories, where you can find some of the best law firms and top lawyers. Make sure to check their online reviews.
And, of course, don’t forget about the old fashioned, yet very reliable method — personal reviews and referrals from people you know and trust.
Areas of expertise
To find the right lawyer, it’s important to consider what type of legal advice you’re after. Perhaps, you need to consult a property law firm before making an investment, or, maybe you wish to start a business in Cyprus and need a commercial law expert? Here are a few things to consider:
— Full-service law firms act as a «one stop shop» for most legal issues — from family law and property law to immigration and commercial law.
— Boutique law firms offer legal services in a specific area. Such firms will provide turn-key legal services customised for your legal issues. So, if you require legal advice or legal assistance in a «niche» area, for example Intellectual Property (IP) law and Technology law, Commercial law, International law, or, perhaps, family migration, you can find a boutique firm that offers tailored legal assistance.
Fees
Average legal fees can range anywhere from 100 to 400 euro p/hour. Top lawyers or reputable firms always charge more — up to 500 euro p/hour. Depending on the nature of legal advice, the firm might offer a fixed fee package price or a hybrid fee, consisting of a fixed fee and success rate.
Useful tips
- Verify the lawyer’s licence number with the Cyprus Bar Association website.
- Check international ranking platforms to find top lawyers or law firms in Cyprus. Little hint: Top lawyers are always ranked independently of their law firm.
- As a foreign client, you might want to find a lawyer who specialises in international law, commercial law, immigration and property law.
- It always pays to find a lawyer who speaks your language to avoid misunderstandings. There’re plenty of law firms offering legal advice in English or Russian.
- To find the right lawyer, you might need to approach several law firms — feel free to compare quotes and ask them as many questions as possible.
- A good lawyer will never tell you they guarantee the success of your case. However, they will provide their success rate in similar cases.
- Top lawyers might have longer waiting lists, so make sure to contact them in advance.
The island’s strategic geographic location and commitment to compliance with international law principles only strengthens its lead role on the European business landscape. No wonder many business owners and investors are choosing the island as their base. But, to make the relocation process smoother, finding the right lawyer is key. We hope this information has shed some light on the intricacies of Cyprus’s legal system.
