Cyprus is moving to abolish antiquated laws, including colonial-era regulations on female mine workers and 90-year-old rules governing death inquests, according to Law Commissioner Sophia Kleopa.
Speaking to philenews following the formal legal establishment of her office, Kleopa revealed that a recent study identified numerous obsolete laws that no longer reflect modern reality. Among these is the “Employment of Women in Mines Law,” which she described as discriminatory and in conflict with equal treatment principles.
“We have identified laws that are now outdated,” Kleopa said. “The Coroners Law, for instance, is a colonial statute from 1936 that still contains references to a ‘Governor’ and ‘execution in pursuance of a death warrant’.”
A law-making committee, chaired by Kleopa and including representatives from the Justice and Health Ministries, the Attorney General’s office, and the Police, has been tasked with drafting a modern replacement for the 1936 act.
The Commissioner also highlighted the upcoming launch of “e-Legislation,” an official government platform designed to digitise the entire legislative process. The platform will facilitate collaborative drafting, simplify the consolidation of laws, and provide citizens with easier access to legal texts.
In addition to cleaning up the statute books, Kleopa’s office is prioritising the harmonisation of national law with EU directives, specifically regarding equality bodies and combating violence against women.
“Harmonising bills are always a priority due to the specific compliance deadlines of the Republic of Cyprus,” Kleopa said.
The Commissioner, who took office in November 2025, also noted that her office’s role was formally entrenched by Parliament on 27 March 2026. This new legal framework secures the independence of the post and clarifies the Commissioner’s responsibilities in codifying and modernising the state’s legal framework.