
Cyprus procedural law generally directs that, unless a specific procedure is prescribed for a particular type of court order, the matter is to be conducted by way of summons supported by affidavit evidence, and that any gaps are filled by reference to the general Civil Procedure Rules applied by the District Courts.
This approach is reflected, for example, in rule 17 of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Rules, 1956, section 17, which provides that matters of practice and procedure not expressly regulated are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules in force from time to time, so far as applicable. The same body of rules illustrates, by analogy, the standard structure that Cyprus procedural instruments use for a party who wishes to formally oppose an order, application or decision made against them.
The source materials available show that Cyprus procedural rules commonly fix short, strict deadlines for lodging an objection or notice of opposition once a party has been served with the relevant summons or order.
For instance, under rule 10(1) of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Rules, 1956, section 10, a person served with a summons who intends to oppose it must file a notice of opposition with the Registrar not later than fourteen days after service, and must leave a copy for the applicant at his address for service.
The exact deadline applicable to an objection against a specific court order for payment depends on the particular procedural rules and forms used in that proceeding. Readers should verify the current, precise time limit applicable to their own case in the relevant up-to-date Civil Procedure Rules or applicable statute before acting, since the passages relied upon here do not identify a single uniform deadline for every type of payment order.
The objection is filed with the Registrar of the court that issued, or before which the relevant summons or application is pending, rather than sent directly to the opposing party; only a copy is served on the applicant, as follows from rule 10(1)-(2) of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Rules, 1956, section 10.
Once an objection setting out a factual dispute is properly filed, the matter proceeds to a contested hearing: where there is a conflict between the applicant and the objecting party as to the facts, each of them must, at the hearing, be prepared to prove the facts on which they rely, in so far as the burden of proof rests on them, under rule 10(3).
Conversely, if a party who has been served fails to attend the hearing, the court may proceed in that party's absence if it considers it expedient to do so, under rule 11(1) of the same Rules; such a decision will generally not be reopened unless the court is satisfied that the absent party was not guilty of wilful delay or negligence, per rule 11(2).
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF [town] Action/Application No. [number] of [year] In the matter of [title of the Law or proceedings under which the order/summons was issued], section [ ] Between: [Full name of Applicant/Petitioner], of [address] Applicant and [Full name of Respondent/Objecting Party], of [address] Respondent/Objecting Party NOTICE OF OPPOSITION TAKE NOTICE that the above-named Respondent, having been served on [date of service] with the summons/order dated [date] in the above proceedings, hereby gives notice of intention to oppose the said summons/application/order. The opposition is founded on [specific section of the Law] and/or [specific Rule of Court] [state the precise legal provision relied upon]. The grounds of opposition are as follows: 1. [Ground 1] 2. [Ground 2] 3. [Ground 3] The facts relied upon in support of this opposition, insofar as they are not apparent on the face of the proceedings, are set out in the affidavit of [name], sworn on [date], filed herewith. Dated this [day] day of [month], [year]. [Signature] [Name of Respondent or Advocate for Respondent] Address for service: [address] TO: The Registrar, District Court of [town] AND TO: [Applicant/Applicant's Advocate], Address for service: [address]
Adapt the heading, action/application number, statutory reference and grounds to the specific proceedings in which the order was issued, and attach a supporting affidavit whenever you rely on facts not already on the court file; always confirm the current applicable deadline before filing.
The materials reviewed here show a fourteen-day period applicable to a notice of opposition under specific rules, but this may not be the deadline applicable to every type of payment order; you should verify the precise, currently applicable time limit in the relevant Civil Procedure Rules or statute before acting.
The objection is filed in writing with the Registrar of the competent court, and a copy must be left for the applicant at the applicant's address for service, rather than sent directly to the applicant only.
It must identify the specific statutory provision or Rule of Court relied upon and, where facts not apparent from the file are relevant, be accompanied by a supporting affidavit setting out those facts.
The court may proceed in your absence if it considers this expedient, and such a decision will generally not be reconsidered unless the court is satisfied that your non-attendance was not due to wilful delay or negligence.
This template is based on the Cyprus legislation in the Europaius corpus. Verify the current wording before use; this does not constitute legal advice. Legal Advisor · Europaius CY