ECtHR rules against Cyprus in judicial promotion case

On May 7, 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued a ruling in the case of Konstantinou v. Cyprus (application no. 36862/23), finding that the Republic of Cyprus violated Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The applicant, Costas Constantinou, a judge born in 1968, challenged the decision of the transitional Supreme Council of Judicature which denied his promotion to District Court President in 2023. Constantinou argued that he lacked effective access to a court, noting that the Supreme Constitutional Court judges who rejected his challenge were the same individuals who had denied his promotion. The ECtHR, voting 6 to 1 in his favor, held that the total absence of judicial review regarding this appointment was incompatible with the rule of law. While the court did not award compensation for non-pecuniary damage, it ordered the state to pay the applicant 13,887.60 euros for legal costs. This case marks the first ECtHR ruling against Cyprus concerning the judiciary following recent legal system reforms. The decision is not yet final, as it remains subject to potential appeal procedures.