Country report, gender equality : how are EU rules transposed into national law? : Cyprus 2015

The legal system of Cyprus is based on common law and equity, except where the Constitution provides otherwise. It is further based on the laws passed by the UK Parliament before Cyprus became independent (Article 29(1) (c) of the Court Law No. 14/60) and on the legislation which the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus has passed since 1960. The Constitution of Cyprus, which was drawn up in 1960 upon the establishment of the Republic, specifically entrenches most of the fundamental rights which were at European level in 1960, i.e. in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights. These fundamental rights were transferred to the Constitution resulting in European Law being included and implemented in Cyprus. The principle of judicial protection is enshrined under Article 30.The abovementioned provisions, together with the safeguards of effective implementation of the constitutional provisions of fundamental rights, are envisaged in Article 35 of the Constitution and require, just as European Law and International Law on Human Rights do, the achievement of substantive equality and effective judicial protection. All Cypriot Courts have the right to monitor the constitutionality of Law. Every Court decision is subject to appeal in the Supreme Court within forty-two days of the publication of the judgment for civil cases, and fourteen days for criminal cases. Judgments of the Industrial Tribunal Court can only be appealed on questions of law.