Criminal
A codified Criminal Code of colonial origin, EU-aligned since 2004
The Criminal Code, Cap. 154, derives from the colonial-era code and remains the principal source of substantive criminal law, supplemented extensively by EU-driven legislation. The Criminal Procedure Law, Cap. 155, governs process, and trial is by judge without a jury.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Areas under the effective control of the Republic. Assize Courts try serious offences.
Governing law
- Criminal Code, Cap. 154
- Criminal Procedure Law, Cap. 155
- Law 115(I)/2018 on the prevention and combating of money laundering
In practice
Cyprus has no jury trial: serious offences are tried by an Assize Court of three judges, and lesser offences by a single district judge. The Criminal Code retains its colonial structure and drafting style, which means the modern law is best understood by reading it together with the very substantial body of EU implementing legislation on money laundering, trafficking, cybercrime and financial crime. The Attorney General has ultimate control over prosecutions and is constitutionally independent. Extradition and mutual assistance operate through the European Arrest Warrant framework as an EU member state.