Justice reform underway, as Anastasiades inaugurates new Paphos court

REFORMS to the justice system are underway, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Saturday at the inauguration of the new Paphos district court buildings, announcing a series of works to take place at other court houses across the island.

He said that the new buildings of the Paphos court cost the state €6m and that a further €70m has been earmarked for the construction of new buildings at other district courts.

Specifically, the government plans to build a new court in Nicosia, worth €58.2m and one in Famagusta district at a cost of €6m.

Anastasiades added that the government plans to refurbish the old Supreme Court building at a cost of €5m and the renovation of the Filoxenia hotel, set to house the Commercial Court, and cost €1m.

The government also plans to rent a building to house the Administrative Tribunal for International Protection, the president added.

“In congruence with the above reforms, we are moving forward with qualitative changes to the justice system, with a goal of strengthening the flexibility, effectiveness, and speed of the decisions.”

The president said that the parliament recently passed a bill on the ATIP, which will examine cases dealing with asylum and refugees.

The parliament, he added, is also set to vote on proposals for the establishment of the Commercial Court and an Administrative Court.

The state is also set to move forward with plans for ‘e-justice’ which will speed up the legal process, the president said.

Anastasiades added that the government, the Supreme Court, and the justice ministry, are moving forward with plans to reform the justice system, after having received the report of experts regarding the necessary changes.

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