Scope

The scope of this category of publications is to focus on Cyprus trust law, cases and relevant practice.

Cyprus Trust Law

Cyprus is a common law jurisdiction, this can be clearly traced from our history but also from our legal heritage.

Courts Law (14/1960)

Section 29(1)c of the Courts Law (14/1960) provides that every court when discharging its civil and criminal jurisdiction shall apply the common law and the principles of equity. In Section 29(1)e the same law provides that the laws United Kingdom and Great Britain applicable prior to the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus will apply to Cyprus.

Trustee Law (Cap. 193)

One of the laws adopted with Cyprus’ independence from the crown was the Trustee Law, Chapter 193 of the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. This law was based on the Trustee Act of 1925 in the UK. It’s main aim is to regulate the fiduciary responsibility of trustees and the administration of assets placed in trust.

International Trust Law (69(I)/1992) as amended by Law 20(I)/2012 and Law 98(I)/2013

This is the main law governing truss in Cyprus, established, principally for none Cypriot domiciled beneficiaries and settlors. Certain reserved powers are afforded to settlors and its use has been tried and tested in several cases. Further reading available on this publication.

Law ratifying the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Trusts and on their Recognition with Law 4(iii)/2017

The Cyprus Government passed a law ratifying to national legislation the Hague Convention on the applicable law to trusts and the recognition of trust. The law aims to adopt the Hague Trust Convention into national legislation. This provides a harmonized approach towards the definition of trusts and specifies certain conflict rules for resolving choice of applicable law.

Publications