Country Profile: Cyprus

This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Cyprus (Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti), based on research produced by the Library of Congress. Under Cyprus' Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status. 

Country Background

Cyprus is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. Although Cyprus views itself as part of Europe, geopolitically speaking, the country can fall into either Europe or the Middle East (or both). The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa). The official languages are Turkish and Greek. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 1.2 million. Cyprus is a predominantly Christian country, with about 89% of the population Orthodox Christian. However, it is important to mention that this data reflects only the portion of Cyprus that is under governmental control, and not that under Turkish control.

North Cyprus

The northeastern portion of Cyprus is a self-declared state, officially known as the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. The 1974 Cypriot coup d'état, which essentially established a Hellenic Republic of Cyprus supported by the Greek Cypriots, ostracizing the Turkish Cypriots. In response, Turkey invaded northern Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriots declared northern Cyprus as an independent state. However, the international community generally considers the northern portion of Cyprus to be occupied illegally by Turkish forces, and in fact, Turkey is the only country that officially recognizes North Cyprus as a state. 

Constitution & Legal Structure

Cyprus is referred to as a presidential republic. The Cyprus Constitution was passed in 1960, and established a complex power sharing system between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, where the president must be Greek Cypriot and the vice president must be Turkish Cypriot. However, since the clashes in the 1970s, the Turkish Cypriot seats have remained vacant. The Constitution established a system of government that is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Cyprus is a mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with European law supremacy (as Cyprus is a member state of the European Union).

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Cyprus. 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Cyprus.

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Cyprus has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

Unofficial Databases

  • FAOLEX: Cyprus (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
  • NATLEX: Cyprus (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
  • RefWorld Legal Information: Cyprus (UNHCR)
  • WIPO Lex: Cyprus (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide. The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].