International Execution Against Judgment Debtors

19:1 Introduction

For approximately 80 years preceding independence, Cyprus was a British colony. On independence in 1960 the Constitution of the new Republic provided that the laws previously applicable should remain in force until repealed or amended by new laws of the Republic. Since independence, myriad laws have been enacted, and the legal framework has been increasingly aligned with the European acquis communautaire since Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. Nevertheless, English Common Law remains the foundation of the legal system, particularly in relation to commercial matters.

EU law now takes precedence over earlier or later domestic law.¹ Article 179.1 of the Constitution of Cyprus provides that the Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic; however, when there is a conflict between the provisions of EU law and domestic legislation, EU law will prevail. This reflects the principle of the supremacy of EU law as it was crystallised by