Parliamentary committee discusses Cyprus justice system reforms

On September 9, 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions, Values, and the Ombudsman held a session to discuss the European Commission's report on the rule of law in Cyprus. The debate focused on the systemic issues facing the judicial system, particularly the persistent delays in case processing and the failure to operationalize the Commercial Court. Lawmakers emphasized the need for better infrastructure and a significant increase in support staff, noting critical shortages of stenographers that hinder court proceedings.

Committee Chairman Demetris Dimitriou confirmed that the Presidents of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Constitutional Court did not attend the meeting. They cited the principle of separation of powers as the reason for their absence but expressed willingness to provide written responses to legislative inquiries. Members of parliament questioned representatives from the Ministry of Justice regarding long-term strategies to reduce the backlog of unresolved cases and ensure that court decisions are effectively executed.

This parliamentary inquiry follows broader concerns from EU monitoring bodies regarding judicial efficiency in Cyprus. The committee’s ongoing review aims to address administrative shortcomings and clear the backlog of pending litigation. Future steps involve reviewing the written responses submitted by the judicial heads to determine further legislative or policy interventions.