Source: CNA
Cyprus' Justice Minister, Stephie Dracos, expressed on Friday her satisfaction with a constitutional amendment to allow the use of the English language by two new Courts that are expected to be created, the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court.
The House Plenum on Thursday amended Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus to allow the use of English by the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court. Article 3 stipulates that the official languages of the Republic are Greek and Turkish while the procedure before the courts is conducted in Greek, if the parties are Greek, in Turkish, if the parties are Turkish and in Greek and Turkish, if the parties are Greek and Turkish. The newly-passed law provides for the use of the English language in proceedings conducted only before the Commercial Court and the Admiralty Court.
the ability to use English in serious commercial and admiralty court cases is another step in supporting and enhancing the financial product and will help attract new investors
Yesterday's decision by Parliament, Dracos said in a written statement, paves the way for the voting of the bill for the establishment and operation of the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court, which will be on the agenda of the Plenary next Thursday.
She said that the ability to use English in serious commercial and admiralty court cases is another step in supporting and enhancing the financial product and will help attract new investors. The Minister said that this was “a very encouraging message for the further strengthening of commercial activity and shipping in our country.”
The Minister thanked the President and the members of the House Legal Affairs Committee for the excellent cooperation as well as all the parliamentary parties.
