Representation in Court in Northern Cyprus: Legal Services

How is legal representation organized in the courts of Northern Cyprus?

• Who needs legal representation
• Categories of court cases
• Scope of service
• Requirements for representatives
• Costs and timelines

Who needs legal representation

Participation in court proceedings in Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is available to both citizens and foreign individuals and legal entities. The legal system of the republic has its own characteristics, based on the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition.

In some cases, self-representation is not possible. The involvement of a professional lawyer is mandatory if:

• The case is heard in the High Court;
• The subject of the dispute involves complex commercial litigation;
• One of the parties does not speak the official language of the court proceedings.

Categories of court cases

We provide qualified legal representation in the courts of the TRNC across a wide range of legal matters. Our main practice areas include:

• Civil disputes: debt recovery, breach of contract, compensation claims;
• Real estate: property rights disputes, developer issues, land matters;
• Family law: divorce proceedings, alimony claims, division of marital assets, custody matters;
• Criminal law: defence in criminal cases (by prior agreement);
• Enforcement proceedings: execution of court judgments.

Scope of service

Our comprehensive legal representation service includes the following stages:

• Detailed case analysis and legal document review;
• Honest assessment of case prospects (Risk Assessment);
• Preparation of procedural documents: statements of claim, petitions, or responses;
• Pre-trial settlement and negotiations on an amicable agreement.

Requirements for representatives

Under TRNC law, legal representation in court may only be provided by a licensed lawyer who is a member of the local bar association and authorized to practice.

Important: Foreign lawyers without a local license cannot appear in the courts of Northern Cyprus independently.

We work with experienced local attorneys and provide full legal support in Russian, Turkish, and English. Certified interpreters are engaged for foreign clients as needed.

Costs and timelines

The duration of court proceedings depends on the workload of the specific court and the complexity of the dispute. The cost of services is determined individually and depends on the scope of work, the stage of the process, and the type of case (fixed fee or hourly rate).