Article 2(1) – Authorities that can be considered as courts
In Cyprus, there are no authorities other than the courts, as laid down in Article 2(1) of the Regulation, that are competent to take evidence in civil and commercial matters.
Article 3(2) – Requested courts
The courts competent to take evidence on the basis of the Regulation (‘requested court’) are the District Courts of Cyprus, namely the District Court of Nicosia, the District Court of Limassol, the District Court of Larnaca, the District Court of Famagusta and the District Court of Paphos. Their territorial jurisdiction is limited to their own district.
Article 4 – Central body
The central body of Cyprus is the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, which has territorial jurisdiction over the whole country. The Ministry also acts as the central body for deciding on requests for direct taking of evidence. The central body’s address is:
Leoforos Athalassas 125
1461 Nicosia
Article 6 – Languages accepted for completion of the forms
The forms in Annex I are accepted in Greek and in English.
Article 7 – Means accepted for transmission of requests and other communications
In the event of a technical problem or disruption of the system, as referred to in Article 7(4) of the Regulation, requests may be sent and received by email, post and fax.
Article 19 – Central body or competent authority(ies) responsible for decisions on requests for direct taking of evidence
The central body that decides on requests for direct taking of evidence is the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, which has territorial jurisdiction over the whole country. The central body’s address is:
Leoforos Athalassas 125
1461 Nicosia
Article 29 – Agreements or arrangements to which Member States are parties and which comply with the conditions in Article 29(2)
Cyprus is a party to the 1970 Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad. It does not intend to conclude agreements or arrangements under Article 29(2) of the Regulation.
Article 31(4) – Notification on the early use of the decentralised IT-system
Cyprus does not intend to use the decentralised IT system earlier than required.