The Republic of Cyprus has acceded to the Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance, signed in New York on 20 June 1956. The Ratification Law is 50/78. In implementing this convention, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order has been designated as the Central Authority and cooperates with counterpart central authorities in other Contracting States.

The object of the convention is: To facilitate the recovery of maintenance by a person who is entitled to receive it (claimant) from another person who owes maintenance (respondent) but who is located in another country.

With Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, the Republic is bound by the Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations, which entered into force on 18 June 2011.

General Information

Central Authority

Ministry of Justice and Public Order
International Legal Cooperation Unit
125 Athalassas Ave.
1461 Nicosia
Cyprus

Contact points:

Ms Troodia Dionysiou
International Legal Cooperation Unit
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
Tel: (+357) 22805932
Fax: (+357) 22518328
Email: tdionysiou@mjpo.gov.cy

Ms Constandina Sophocleous
International Legal Cooperation Unit
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
Tel: (+357) 22805973
Fax: (+357) 22518328
Email: csophocleous@mjpo.gov.cy

Relevant links:

- European e-Justice Portal

- Hague Protocol of 23 November 2007

- Hague Convention

- ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)

Procedure for Completing Applications for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance Decision in other Member States under Regulation EC 4/2009

Before completing the application, visit the following links:

Guidelines and Information on cross-border legal procedures regarding maintenance claims under Cypriot Law.

Guidance on the use of the Annexes under Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations

Practice guide on the application of Regulation no 4/2009 on maintenance obligation

The application form and relevant annexes are initially completed in Greek/English and translated into the language of the Member State to which it will be transmitted. Note that all documents should be translated into the language of the Member State to which the application will be transmitted.

The link to the maintenance obligations forms is provided below:

https://e-justice.europa.eu/content_maintenance_obligations_forms-274-en.do?clang=en

Note that to save a form in the language you want, select the column ‘Download a blank form’ and a list of languages will appear. After you select the language, the form will be downloaded and you can save it on your computer.

Please bear in mind that in accordance with the provisions of Article 41(1) of Regulation (EC) No 4/2009, the procedure for the enforcement of decisions given in another Member State shall be governed by the law of the Member State of enforcement.

Stage 1: Locating the Debtor (Annex V)

A. Where the applicant does not know the address of the debtor, a request must first be sent to the Central Authority of the Member State in which the debtor resides in order to locate that person.
The request (Annex V Request for specific measures) will be completed and transmitted by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order based on the details below, to be provided by the applicant as pertaining to the debtor:

FIRST NAME, (required)

SURNAME, (required)

DATE OF BIRTH (required)

In case that the Debtor is resided to non-EU States then apply the provisions under the Hague Convention of 23 November 2007. The Applicant should complete a "Request for Specific Measures" under article 7(1) of the Hague Convention of November 2007, as mentioned above.

Stage 2: Application forms (under Article 56)

Annex VI

, accompanied by

Annex I

Annex II

Annex III

Annex IV

and the

statement of maintenance arrears

(

Annex VII

)

General information on completing applications:

A. Application for the recognition, declaration of enforceability or enforcement of a decision in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Annex VI)

B. Application to obtain a decision or have modified a decision in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Annex VII)

Procedure for completing an Application for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance Decision to non-EU States under the Hague Convention of 23 November 2007

The link to useful information on completing applications is provided below:

https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/child-support

Compulsory forms to accompany the application (provided below for easy reference).

- Transmittal Form Annex I

- Application for Recognition or Recognition and Enforcement

- Restricted Information on the Applicant

- Statement of Enforceability of a Decision

- Abstract of a Decision

- Statement of Maintenance Arrears

- Statement of Proper Notice

- Financial Circumstances Form

Procedure for completing applications for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance decision by other Member States under (EC) 4/2009 & the Hague Convention of 23/11/2007