The Recognition And Enforcement Of Ukrainian Judgments In Cyprus

A foreign court judgment or arbitral award has no direct operation in Cyprus. It is essential for the party who is looking to enforce the court judgment or arbitral award ("Claimant") to file an application seeking the recognition of such foreign judgment or arbitral award, before this can be enforced against any assets of the other party ("Defendant") in Cyprus.

The Decisions of Foreign Courts (Recognition, Registration and Enforcement) Law of 2000 (Law 121(I)/2000) ("the Law") regulates the procedure in relation to the recognition of foreign judgments and foreign arbitral awards in Cyprus. Pursuant to section 3(1) of the Law, "decision of a foreign court" is defined as the decision of a court or an arbitral body of a foreign country, with which the Republic of Cyprus is connected with a treaty for mutual recognition and enforcement of court judgments and arbitral awards and which is enforceable in the foreign country issuing such decision.