Shipping 2026

CYPRUS Law and Practice Contributed by: Kyriacos Scordis and Sofi Mylona, SCORDIS PAPAPETROU & Co LLC

1. Maritime and Shipping Legislation and Regulation 1.1 Domestic Laws Establishing the Authorities of the Maritime and Shipping Courts In May 2022, the Cyprus Parliament enacted the Establishment and Operation of a Commercial Court and Admiralty Court Law of 2022 (69 (I)/2022), estab - lishing a Commercial Court and an Admiralty Court in Cyprus (see 10.1 Other Jurisdiction-Specific Ship - ping and Maritime Issues ). The provisions of the law in relation to the new Admiralty Court shall enter into force on the date of publication of a notice by the Supreme Court in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus on the constitution of the Admiralty Court and its readiness to operate. Since 1 September 2023, the new Cyprus Civil Pro - cedure Rules of 2023 (the “New Civil Procedure Rules”) have been in effect, outlining specific rules to which the new Admiralty Court and legal profession - als must adhere. However, Part 43 of the New Civil Procedure Rules, which refers exclusively to admi - ralty cases, shall enter into force immediately after the commencement of the new Admiralty Court pursuant to the Establishment and Operation of a Commercial Court and Admiralty Court Law of 2022 (69 (I)/2022). Until then, the Supreme Court of Cyprus maintains jurisdiction to act as an Admiralty Court sitting as a court of first instance (original jurisdiction) and as a court of appeal (appellant jurisdiction). At first instance, the case is heard by a single judge; on appeal, the case is heard by the full bench. By virtue of Sections 19 (a) and 29 (2)(a) of the Courts of Justice Law of 1960 (Law No 14/1960), the Admi - ralty Court has the same powers and jurisdiction as those of the High Court of Justice in England in its admiralty jurisdiction (as they existed immediately before the independence of Cyprus in 1960). Conse - quently, the English Administration of Justice Act of 1956 defines the admiralty jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court, and the Cyprus Admiralty Jurisdiction Order 1893 regulates the procedure before the Court.

The District Courts also have limited jurisdiction on maritime claims, but only on referral by the Supreme Court under certain circumstances. Judgments issued by District Courts can be appealed to the Supreme Court. Pursuant to Section 1 (1) of the English Administration of Justice Act 1956, the Supreme Court has jurisdic - tion to hear and determine any claim: • relating to the possession or ownership of a ship or to the ownership of any share therein; • arising between the co-owners of a ship as to the possession, employment or earnings of that ship; • in respect of a mortgage of or charge on a ship or any share therein; • for damage done by a ship; • for damage received by a ship; • for loss of life or personal injury sustained in con - sequence of any defect in a ship or in her apparel or equipment, or of the wrongful act, neglect or default of the owners, charterers or persons in possession or control of a ship or of the Master or crew thereof or of any other person for whose wrongful acts, neglects or defaults the owners, charterers or persons in possession or control of a ship are responsible (being an act, neglect or default in the navigation or management of the ship, in the loading, carriage or discharge of goods on, in or from the ship or in the embarkation, car - riage or disembarkation of persons on, in or from the ship); • for loss of or damage to goods carried in a ship; • arising out of any agreement relating to the car - riage of goods in a ship or to the use or hire of a ship; • in the nature of salvage; • in the nature of towage in respect of a ship; • in the nature of pilotage in respect of a ship; • in respect of goods or materials supplied to a ship for her operation or maintenance; • in respect of the construction, repair or equipment of a ship, or of dock charges or dues; • by a Master or member of the crew of a ship for wages; • by a Master, shipper, charterer or agent in respect of disbursements made on account of a ship;

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