Independent legal advice
Many people buying property
in Cyprus, particularly those
buying from a property development company, make the fundamental mistake of
taking legal advice from a lawyer who has been introduced to them by the
property developer.
If you use a law firm or lawyer recommended to you by the vendor, then how can that lawyer give you independent legal advice. Whose side is the lawyer going to be on? Will that lawyer be able to represent your best interests?
Any lawyer recommended by a developer, may well be the developers own lawyer and dependant on the developer for new clients. This lawyer cannot have the interests of buyers at heart. (Download the Code of Conduct for European Lawyers (92 Kb))
The only people legally qualified and permitted to give legal advice in Cyprus are lawyers, so don’t take legal advice from anyone else. Don’t pick a conveyancing lawyer at random, but engage one who has been highly recommended by someone you can trust.
The British High Commission publishes a list of lawyers who are able to give advice in English to British nationals. They have kindly allowed me to publish the list on my website, and you may download it from "List of Lawyers Practicing in the Republic of Cyprus". (There are also three other documents in my download area from the British High Commission that you may find useful).
All Cypriot conveyancing solicitors speak English. Many are accustomed to dealing with foreign home buyers and understand the many problems with buying property in Cyprus that must be avoided.
You may come under a great deal of pressure to pay a 'reservation' fee for a property. This is fine provided the money is held by a lawyer or reputable agent and will be returned to you in the event that there are undisclosed problems with the property.
My most important property buying tips
Use a conveyancing lawyer whose office is in a different town to where you're thinking of
buying.
NEVER
hand over money or sign any papers until you have spoken with a competent independent lawyer.
NEVER
use a law firm or take legal advice from a lawyer who has been introduced to you by a property developer or vendor.
NEVER
use a law firm that does not carry an adequate level of Professional Indemnity Insurance.
I cannot emphasise too strongly that anyone buying property in Cyprus must take expert, independent legal advice from a conveyancing lawyer experienced in Cyprus property law.