EU Justice Scoreboard 2026 highlights delays in Cyprus judiciary

The 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard reports that the Cypriot judicial system remains among the slowest in the European Union. In civil and commercial disputes, the estimated time for a verdict increased from 520 days in 2023 to nearly 580 days in 2024, placing Cyprus in the second-worst position in the EU. Administrative proceedings have seen an even more significant decline, with resolution times nearly doubling to 800 days. While the report acknowledges that courts maintain satisfactory clearance rates, the large volume of accumulated backlogs hinders overall efficiency. Experts note that these delays create economic instability, as capital remains trapped in pending legal cases. The report highlights an urgent need for structural intervention to improve the speed of the judicial process. Consequently, businesses and citizens face prolonged waiting periods that affect market liquidity and economic growth.