The 4th Annual Conference of the Procedural Law Unit at the University of Nicosia School of Law, held on December 14, emphasized the critical need to address ongoing judicial delays in Cyprus. The event, titled “Judicial Delays Threatening the Rule of Law,” explored the challenges facing Cyprus's judicial system and examined strategies for improvement, aligned with European standards for judicial independence.

A quantitative survey conducted for the third consecutive year by IMR/University of Nicosia revealed concerning statistics regarding the justice system’s effectiveness:

• 47% of respondents expressed complete dissatisfaction with the system in 2024, up from 40% in 2023 and 32% in 2022.

• Only 19% reported being very or fairly satisfied, marking a continued decline from 21% in 2023 and 25% in 2022.

• Dissatisfaction with judicial decisions stems from delays in rulings (39%), perceived corruption (36%), and poor legal reasoning (33%).

These findings highlight a significant erosion of public confidence, positioning the justice system at its lowest level in recent years.

The conference discussions underscored the pressing need for reforms to streamline civil case resolution and reduce judicial backlog. Key proposals included:

1. Mandatory Mediation for Civil Disputes below €10,000.

2. A Fast-Track Process for small claims up to €3,000, to ensure timely adjudication.

Speakers emphasized that these measures, supported by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court, could significantly alleviate court congestion. Initial improvements have already been noted since the September 2024 introduction of new civil procedure regulations, which have resulted in a 50% reduction in new case filings.

The conference, organized by Oxygen for Democracy in collaboration with the Procedural Law Unit of the University of Nicosia, and under the auspices of the Cyprus Bar Association, provided a platform for meaningful dialogue.