The anticipation for a streamlined electronic justice system in Cyprus continues to be met with delays and complexities. Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodimos Damianou, in a recent statement during the assessment of the first year of Nikos Christodoulides' governance, acknowledged that the implementation of the e-justice system, initially promised to simplify court procedures, is now expected to extend into early 2025.

Introduced with the goal of eliminating the perennial delays in court procedures, the e-justice system was supposed to revolutionize the legal landscape. However, just days after its launch, users—judges and lawyers alike—faced significant operational challenges. Instead of streamlining processes, the system brought court activities to a near standstill.

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The Deputy Minister cited detailed work and unforeseen requirements added by users, including the Cyprus Bar Association and the Supreme Court, as the main reasons for the delays. "The process has actively involved the users, the CBA, and the Supreme Court, taking more time as the work is carried out with detail and additional requirements that were not previously anticipated," Damianou explained.

The launch was marred by technical breakdowns, with servers crashing and leading to a slew of operational disruptions. In response, the Cyprus Bar Association has been vocal about their dissatisfaction, highlighting the system's inadequacies and the adverse impact on the smooth processing of legal cases.

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As the timeline extends to 2025, the legal community remains in limbo, hoping for a system that truly enhances their ability to administer justice swiftly and efficiently.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy announced that within 2024, Cyprus will introduce 20 new digital services. He also highlighted the goal for Cyprus to become the first European country by 2026 to achieve 100% population coverage with ultra-high-speed connectivity, encompassing both mobile and fixed networks.

With digital policy, cybersecurity, and research and innovation as its pillars, the transition to a "modern digital state" is well underway, Damianou noted. This announcement came during the presentation of the Deputy Ministry’s accomplishments in its first year and the major initiatives set for launch in 2024.

"We aim to bolster the growth prospects and competitiveness of the Cypriot economy and enhance the daily life of citizens," he stated, describing the strategic goal of transforming Cyprus into a regional hub for innovation and technology.

Key areas of focus include enhancing e-government services, strengthening digital infrastructure, and improving digital literacy among citizens and professionals. Notable projects include the "Digital Citizen" project, which aims to digitalize all citizen-state interactions through a new government portal and mobile applications. Additionally, Cyprus is investing in cybersecurity and cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain, aligning with its digital policy goals.

The Deputy Ministry has also prioritized research and innovation, maintaining Cyprus' position among Europe’s Strong Innovators.