The European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Cyprus, published on 17 July 2026, assesses limited progress on justice reforms, anti-corruption measures, and media transparency, with key legislation still pending before Parliament.
The report highlights that the reform of the Law Office to establish the Office of the Public Prosecutor General and introduce review of non-prosecution decisions remains pending since July 2025, with debate suspended due to parliamentary elections in May 2026. A distinct branch of administrative justice was established in July 2025, including the Administrative Court of Appeal and Supreme Constitutional Judicial Council, and new guidelines on recusal of judges were introduced by the Supreme Constitutional Court in November 2025. However, digital transformation of the justice system remains limited, with a fully integrated electronic case management system not expected until 2030. Disposition times for civil and commercial cases averaged 682 days at first instance and 1,426 days at second instance in 2024, while administrative cases at first instance doubled to 788 days. The Independent Authority against Corruption (IAAC) was strengthened with new legislation on recruitments, and new legislation on asset declarations for elected and appointed officials started to apply. Safeguards were introduced for the Auditor General appointment, including a fixed, non-renewable eight-year term and stricter qualification criteria. Draft legislation on state advertising transparency and independent governance of public service media has been tabled. The report notes that judicial efficiency remains a serious concern, and the stalled reforms, particularly the Law Office reform and independent Court Service, continue to affect the rule of law landscape in Cyprus. The Commission's findings will feed into the broader 2026 Rule of Law Report and subsequent recommendations to member states.