1. National IT portals for communicating with courts or other authorities
In Cyprus, the Internet Portal, initially known as Ariadne and now named CY Login (‘Cy Login’), provides natural and legal persons with a single access to a range of state systems, including judicial proceedings and communication with the respective judicial authorities. To access CY Login, natural or legal persons must create a digital profile. To successfully activate access, the user creating the profile must verify the registered profile data through a set of processes provided by CY Login. Once access is obtained, it is possible to use the iJustice internet portal, which is currently being used as a digital register of cases as well as a portal for communication between lawyers or citizens wishing to represent themselves in court and registrars and judges. A new platform is currently being developed, which aims to connect judicial authorities and registries not only with lawyers or citizens, but also with the Police, Social Welfare Services, the Customs Office, etc. (for the purpose of executing warrants issued by the courts). This new platform is called e-Justice. However, e-Justice will be accessed from the CY Login profile created for each user.
The relevant links to CY Login and iJustice are:
https://ijustice.judicial.gov.cy/
To contact the courts: The iJustice information system is the electronic system for filing and managing court cases in the Cypriot courts. It is accessible to users in Cyprus at: https://ijustice.judicial.gov.cy/. The system can be accessed once the user has been identified using CY Login. CY Login is a service of the Republic of Cyprus for managing and identifying users. It provides users with access to a wide range of online services in the Republic of Cyprus through a single access point. At present, civil cases, cases before special jurisdiction courts, first-instance jurisdictions of the Supreme Court, appeals (when the case at first instance has an electronic file) and cases before the Administrative Court can be filed in the system. The electronic system allows for filing procedural and other documents, paying court fees electronically and communicating with the court, on the basis of the applicable procedural regulations.
2. National law on videoconferencing in civil and commercial matters
Videoconferencing systems have been installed at all courts in Cyprus. Videoconferencing takes place mainly via the Cisco Webex platform. Certain courts will be using Microsoft Teams in the near future. Videoconferencing is used for the purpose of taking witness testimony.
For people with hearing impairments, a sign language interpreter may be engaged. Videoconferencing procedures are not recorded.
The competent authority for conducting judicial proceedings is the Judicial Service, and procedural matters (planning, equipment, etc.) are addressed by the court concerned by the procedure in question.
Section 36A of the Evidence Law, Cap. 9, provides as follows:
36A. – (1) In any criminal or civil proceedings, the court may, if it considers that this is in the interest of justice, allow a witness who is located abroad to give testimony via videoconference.
(2) For the purposes of this Section, ‘videoconferencing’ means the use of audio and visual communication technology or other arrangement through which a witness, despite being absent from the courtroom, can see and hear persons present in the courtroom and, conversely, persons present in the courtroom can see and hear the witness:
It is understood that, for the purposes of this paragraph, ‘persons present in the courtroom’ means the court, the defendant, the lawyers of the parties, the interpreter or other persons appointed to assist the witness or defendant.
(3) The court may impose any terms it considers necessary for taking testimony via videoconferencing, provided they are not incompatible with the commitments undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus in bilateral or international conventions governing the issue.
All necessary information on videoconferencing is distributed by the competent court exclusively to the person(s) the videoconferencing concerns in order to block access by persons not involved in the case. Identification is carried out using official proof of identification before the court or another authorised court officer. There is a right to an interpreter, usually at the expense of the party.
3. National law on videoconferencing in criminal matters
The statutes applicable to videoconferencing in criminal matters are Laws 2(III)/2000, 5(III)/2012, Cap. 155 (Article 61), 181(I)/2017, 23(I)/2001, Cap. 9 (Article 36), and the Hague Convention. In accordance with the laws and regulations, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights, procedures, principles and rights are guaranteed by the Cypriot courts.
Videoconferencing is used for the purpose of taking witness testimony. Access to the necessary videoconferencing equipment is achieved through the presence of the person concerned at the court, where the necessary equipment is installed. Attorney-client privilege is ensured by the use of special rooms where lawyers can talk to their clients in person. If the necessary authorisation is granted by the court, proceedings may be suspended so that clients can speak with their lawyers.
In the case of a juvenile, the court considers this fact and takes the necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of the juvenile. The juvenile’s parents/guardians may be informed by the competent Registry prior to the videoconference.
Videoconferencing procedures are not recorded. Any judgment handed down by the court may be contested using the appropriate procedural means. Speech-to-text technology is not used. Identification is carried out using official proof of identification before the court or another authorised court officer. There is the right to an interpreter. All necessary information on videoconferencing is distributed by the competent court exclusively to the person(s) the videoconferencing concerns in order to block access by persons not involved in the case.
The competent authority for conducting judicial proceedings is the Judicial Service, and procedural matters (planning, equipment, etc.) are addressed by the court concerned by the procedure in question.
Section 36A of the Evidence Law, Cap. 9, provides as follows:
36A. – (1) In any criminal or civil proceedings, the court may, if it considers that this is in the interest of justice, allow a witness who is located abroad to give testimony via videoconference.
(2) For the purposes of this Section, ‘videoconferencing’ means the use of audio and visual communication technology or other arrangement through which a witness, despite being absent from the courtroom, can see and hear persons present in the courtroom and, conversely, persons present in the courtroom can see and hear the witness:
It is understood that, for the purposes of this paragraph, ‘persons present in the courtroom’ means the court, the defendant, the lawyers of the parties, the interpreter or other persons appointed to assist the witness or defendant.
(3) The court may impose any terms it considers necessary for taking testimony via videoconferencing, provided they are not incompatible with the commitments undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus in bilateral or international conventions governing the issue.
4. Fees for the procedures in civil and commercial matters
No fees are paid for the following:
- the procedures provided for in Regulations (EC) No 1896/2006, (EC) No 861/2007, (EU) No 655/2014 and Regulation (EC) No 805/2004;
- proceedings for recognition, a declaration of enforceability or refusal of recognition provided for in Regulations (EU) No 1215/2012 and (EU) No 606/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulations (EC) No 4/2009, (EU) 2016/1103, (EU) 2016/1104 and (EU) 2019/1111;
- procedures related to the issuance, rectification and withdrawal of extracts provided for in Regulation (EC) No 4/2009, the European Successions Certificate and the attestations provided for in Regulation (EU) No 650/2012, certificates provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012, certificates provided for in Regulation (EU) No 606/2013, attestations provided for in Regulation (EU) 2016/1103, attestations provided for in Regulation (EU) 2016/1104 and certificates provided for in Regulation (EU) 2019/1111;
- proceedings initiated by a claim by a foreign creditor in insolvency proceedings under Article 53 of Regulation (EU) 2015/848;
- communication between natural or legal persons or their representatives with the Central Authorities under Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 and Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 or the competent authorities under Chapter IV of Directive 2003/8/EC.
As regards applications for a European Certificate of Succession (Regulation (EU) No 650/2012), a stamp duty of EUR 9 is payable.
5. Electronic payment methods
For courts: Electronic payment of court fees can be processed through the provider connected to the iJustice Information System. Payment by debit and credit cards is accepted.
6. Notification on the early use of the decentralised IT-system
The dates set in Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2844
7. Notification on the early use of videoconferencing in civil and commercial matters
1 May 2025
8. Notification on the early use of videoconferencing in criminal matters
1 May 2025