The Legal 500: Force Majeure Country Comparative Guide

1. Is there a legal definition of force majeure in your jurisdiction?

No. There is no statutory definition of "Force Majeure" in Cyprus. Cyprus is a common law jurisdiction and the term has not been universally recognised or defined in common law jurisdictions.

2. If there is not, give a brief overview of this concept.

Although Force Majeure has not been defined in law, some guidance as to its definition can be found in the case law of the Courts of Cyprus which follow common law principles on the issue of Force Majeure. Force Majeure comes into play when an unforeseeable event, outside the control of parties to a contract, prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations. Force Majeure operates either through the doctrine of Frustration or by specific provisions within the contract of the parties themselves, the Force Majeure Clauses.