Order to pay a debt: how to respond to a claim

You have received a court claim or a summons demanding payment of a debt in Cyprus. Civil claims for money are governed by the Civil Procedure Law and the Civil Procedure Rules. You have a limited time to enter an appearance and file your defence, otherwise the court can enter a default judgment against you. Acting inside the deadline protects your right to contest the debt.

✅ What to do

1. Read the claim carefully: identify the claimant, the exact amount demanded, the court and the return/hearing date.
2. Enter an appearance with the court within the time stated on the writ - this preserves your right to defend before any default judgment is entered.
3. File a written defence setting out why you dispute the debt (payment already made, wrong amount, no contract, time-barred, defective goods or services).
4. Gather documentary evidence: contracts, invoices, receipts, bank transfers and correspondence.
5. If part of the debt is admitted, consider proposing a settlement or instalment arrangement in writing.
6. If the amount or the procedure is unclear, obtain advice from a Cypriot lawyer before the deadline expires.

⚠️ What to watch out for

• Ignoring the claim usually leads to a default judgment, after which the creditor can move to enforcement.
• Missing the deadline to enter an appearance is the most common and most costly mistake.
• A judgment debt can be enforced against your income, bank accounts and property.
• Oral promises are hard to prove - keep everything in writing.

⚖️ Legal basis

❓ Frequently asked questions