Rapid and quality delivery of justice

The constitutional amendment voted by the parliament on Thursday will contribute to rapid and quality delivery of justice in Cyprus former Justices and Ministers told the Cyprus News Agency.

The Cyprus House of Representatives voted in favour of the bill that amends the Constitution thus allowing the reform of the highest level of justice, following three years of debates and discussions.

The amendment of the constitution paves the way for the reoperation of the two supreme courts provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, namely the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court and the granting of additional jurisdiction of the third degree to these two courts.

Former President of the Supreme Court Myronas Nikolatos told the Cyprus News Agency that yesterday was indeed a historic day and spoke of a huge accomplishment, adding that reforms should have taken place earlier. He said that the justice system in Cyprus is independent and the quality of the delivery of justice is satisfactory.

Nikolatos said however that delays are indeed unacceptable.

Former Attorney General, who had also previously served as a Justice of the Supreme Court, Costas Clerides told CNA that the new changes following yesterday’s voting are very important as now the cases that were brought before the Supreme Court will be distributed to two courts, the Supreme and the Supreme Constitutional court.

But he went on to say that more steps need to be taken to tackle with the huge issue of delays.

Emily Yiolites, former Justice Minister said that this is indeed the first step for the reform of the justice system adding that the amendment gives the green light for the reforms of the higher level of the system in Cyprus.

Former Minister Ionas Nikolaou said that all the changes that were achieved will contribute to the quicker delivery of justice for the benefit of the people adding that the justice system will undergo reforms for the first time in 60 years.