Law 159(I)/2012 titled “Law which provides for certain aspects of mediation in civil matters” was enacted on 16 November 2012 in order to harmonize domestic law with Directive 2008/52/EC on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters. The law is not limited to cross-border disputes, as the Directive, but is extended and also covers domestic civil and commercial disputes. The parties may apply to the Court to declare the agreement reached as enforceable. Also, any of the two parties may terminate the mediation process at any time.

This law:

(a) introduces mediation in certain civil and commercial cases, cross-border or not, as well as in the labour cross-border disputes∙

(b) provides for registration/removal of mediators in the Registers of Mediators (according to Article 7, right to register have the Practicing Advocates, members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of the Technical Chamber of Cyprus if they meet specific criteria) which are held by the Minister of Justice and Public Order∙

(c) provides for the enforceability of the compromise agreement by the Court.

According to its provisions, the parties choose a mediator. The procedure prescribed under the Law is informal. The parties agree, in consultation with the mediator, the way of conducting the procedure, its duration, the obligation of confidentiality of the process, the remuneration of the mediator and the terms of payment and any other matter deemed necessary.

Hide details for Registration in the Registers of MediatorsRegistration in the Registers of Mediators

According to the Certain Aspects of Mediation in Civil Matters Law of 2012 (Law 159(I)/2012), there are two Registers of Mediators which are kept by the Minister of Justice and Public Order: (1) the Register of Mediators where the mediation in question concerns commercial dispute and (2) the Register of Mediators where the mediation in question concerns civil dispute, other than commercial.

(1) A person, in order to be registered in the Register of Mediators where the mediation in question concerns a commercial dispute must:

(a) (i) be enrolled in the Roll of Advocates and holds an annual license of practising as an advocate in accordance with the Advocate’s Law, or

(ii) be a member of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry or the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber, is the holder of a recognized university degree and has attended a special training programme to become a mediator of total forty (40) hours, organized by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the Technical Chamber of Cyprus, or has attended an equivalent programme;

(b) does not hold any public post, either permanent, or temporary, or by substitution in the public service;
(c) has not been convicted of a serious criminal offence or an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;

(d) is not under a trusteeship or guardianship and he is not deprived of his legal capacity;

(e) pay a registration fee of €30 in the Minister of Justice and Public Order.

(2) A person, in order to be registered in the Register of Mediators where the mediation in question concerns a civil dispute other than commercial must:

(a) be enrolled in the Roll of Advocates and holds an annual license of practising as an advocate in accordance with the Advocate’s Law and shall submit to the Minister certification that he has attended a programme of training as a Mediator,

(b) does not hold any public post, either permanent, or temporary, or by substitution in the public service;

(c) has not been convicted of a serious criminal offence or an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;

(d) is not under a trusteeship or guardianship and he is not deprived of his legal capacity;

(e) pay a registration fee of €30 in the Minister of Justice and Public Order.

Also, every person who is registered in the Registers of Mediators, must continue his training in mediation matters, attending at least twenty-four (24) hours of education every three (3) years from the date of his registration to the Register of Mediators, and submit a relevant certification to the Minister.



The Certain Aspects of Mediation in Civil Matters Law of 2012 (Law 159(I) 2012)
03.2024.pdfRegister of Mediators in commercial disputes
03.2024.pdfRegister of Mediators in civil disputes other than commercial




Last Update: 27/03/2024 09:21:46 AM

Back to previous page