The Cyprus legal system applies within the Republic of Cyprus,
which although extensively codified, it is still heavily based on
English common law applying the fundamental principle of
precedents.
The legal system of Cyprus has an established hierarchy of legal
rules and norms whereby certain legal rules are hierarchically
superior to others.
Until the accession of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004 the
Cyprus Constitution was the hierarchically highest norm of the
legal system.
Today, according to Article 1(a) of the Constitution EU law is
supreme to any national law and even to the Constitution of
Cyprus.
The Constitution is therefore the second highest hierarchical
norm of the legal system, followed by international law
obligations, ordinary laws follow, secondary legislation and
finally administrative or implementing acts.
