100+ Free Cyprus Bar Exam Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Cyprus Bar Exam Exam

10 Papers

8 compulsory subjects plus 2 chosen from 4 electives

Legal Council of Cyprus, Bar Exams page

3 Sittings

The examination is held three times a year at roughly four-monthly intervals

Advocates Law (Cap. 2), Section 5(3)

12 Months

Minimum pupillage with an advocate of at least 5 years' standing

Advocates Law (Cap. 2), Section 4(e)

21 Years

Minimum age a candidate must have completed to be certified for enrolment

Advocates Law (Cap. 2), Section 4(a)

€100

Statutory fee for enrolment on the Roll of Advocates

Advocates Law (Cap. 2), Section 6(1)

1 July 2030

Date the Legal Council's revised 5-subject training framework takes effect

Legal Council announcement, 18 March 2026 (gov.cy)

The Cyprus Bar Examination is the statutory qualifying examination administered by the Legal Council of Cyprus under Section 5 of the Advocates Law (Cap. 2). Law graduates aged 21 or over complete 12 months of pupillage and sit 10 written papers, 8 compulsory and 2 elective, held three times a year. This 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation of that curriculum, not a format simulation of the Greek-language written papers.

Sample Cyprus Bar Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Cyprus Bar Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the landmark constitutional case Attorney General of the Republic v. Mustafa Ibrahim and Others (1964) CLR 195, on what legal foundation did the Supreme Court of Cyprus uphold the enactment of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Law of 1964 despite non-compliance with the bicommunal provisions of the 1960 Constitution?

A.The Law of Necessity (Doctrine of Necessity)

B.The Royal Prerogative of the British Crown

C.Article 183 of the Constitution governing states of emergency

D.Direct application of customary international humanitarian law

Explanation: In Attorney General v. Mustafa Ibrahim (1964), the Supreme Court of Cyprus invoked the doctrine of necessity (lex necessitatis) to validate the restructuring of the judicial system after Turkish Cypriot officials withdrew from state organs. The Court ruled that where normal constitutional functioning is paralyzed, state organs may take measures strictly necessary to preserve the functioning of the state.

2Under the criteria laid down in Attorney General v. Mustafa Ibrahim (1964), which of the following is NOT a required prerequisite for the lawful invocation of the doctrine of necessity by state organs in Cyprus?

A.Prior approval by a two-thirds majority of the United Nations General Assembly

B.An imperative and unavoidable necessity or exceptional circumstance threatening the functioning of state organs

C.The absence of other constitutional remedies to resolve the crisis

D.The proportionality of the measures taken to the necessity, strictly confined to the duration of the emergency

Explanation: The four cumulative conditions laid down in Mustafa Ibrahim are: (1) an imperative and unavoidable necessity; (2) no other remedy available; (3) the measure must be proportionate to the necessity; and (4) the measure must be temporary in character. United Nations approval is neither a requirement nor a condition of domestic constitutional necessity in Cyprus.

3Under Article 11.5 of the 1960 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, what is the maximum duration for which an arrested person may be held in police custody before being brought before a judge?

A.As soon as possible and in any event not later than 24 hours after arrest

B.Up to 48 hours after arrest

C.Up to 72 hours where the officer in charge of the investigation certifies that inquiries are incomplete

D.Up to 8 days upon application to the Attorney General

Explanation: Article 11.5 of the Constitution mandates that a person arrested shall be brought before a judge as soon as is practicable after arrest and in any event not later than twenty-four hours after the arrest, unless released earlier. Any further detention requires a judicial remand order.

4Under Article 113 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, what is the constitutional nature of the powers of the Attorney General regarding criminal prosecutions?

A.The Attorney General has an independent discretion, exercised in the public interest, to institute, conduct, take over, continue, or discontinue any criminal proceedings

B.The Attorney General can only terminate prosecutions with the prior written concurrence of the Minister of Justice

C.The Attorney General acts strictly on the advice and under the instruction of the President of the Republic

D.The Attorney General's decision to enter a nolle prosequi is routinely subject to merits review by the Council of Ministers

Explanation: Article 113 provides that the Attorney General has power, at his discretion in the public interest, to institute, conduct, take over and continue or discontinue any proceedings for any offence against any person in the Republic. Article 112 establishes the office itself and the independence of the Law Office, which is not subordinate to any ministry, so the prosecutorial discretion is exercised free from executive direction.

5Under Article 169.3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, what status do treaties and conventions concluded in accordance with Article 169 occupy within the domestic legal hierarchy?

A.From publication in the Official Gazette they have superior force to any municipal law, subject to the condition that the other contracting party applies them reciprocally

B.Equal status to ordinary municipal statutes, governed by the lex posterior derogat legi priori rule

C.Purely advisory status until incorporated verbatim into domestic regulations

D.Superior force even to the fundamental human rights provisions of the Constitution

Explanation: Article 169.3 provides that treaties, conventions and agreements concluded under Article 169 have, from their publication in the Official Gazette, superior force to any municipal law, on condition that they are likewise applied by the other contracting party. Article 169.2 deals with the earlier stage: negotiation and signature follow a Council of Ministers decision, and the instrument binds the Republic only once ratified by a law of the House of Representatives.

6Under Article 23.4 of the Cyprus Constitution, which of the following is a mandatory prerequisite for the lawful compulsory acquisition (expropriation) of private immovable property by the Republic?

A.Payment in cash and in advance of a just and equitable compensation, determined by a civil court in case of disagreement

B.Prior written consent of the majority of registered land owners in the same cadastral district

C.Immediate physical transfer of title before the enactment of any enabling requisition order

D.Approval by an absolute majority vote of the Municipal Council where the property is located

Explanation: Article 23.4 permits compulsory acquisition only for a purpose of public benefit specially provided by a general compulsory acquisition law, only where that purpose is specified in a reasoned decision of the acquiring authority, and only upon payment in cash and in advance of a just and equitable compensation, which in case of disagreement is determined by a civil court.

7Under Article 23.5 of the Cyprus Constitution, what occurs if the purpose for which immovable property was compulsorily acquired is abandoned or not attained within three years from the date of acquisition?

A.The acquiring authority must offer the property back to the original owner at the price paid for its acquisition

B.The property automatically escheats to the general revenue fund of the Republic without recourse

C.The property is auctioned publicly to the highest commercial bidder

D.The acquiring authority may retain the land indefinitely for any alternative governmental use without notifying the former owner

Explanation: Article 23.5 requires that compulsorily acquired immovable property be used exclusively for the purpose of the acquisition. If that purpose is not attained within three years, the acquiring authority must, immediately after that period expires, offer the property back to the person from whom it was acquired at the acquisition price. That person then has three months to notify acceptance, and the property is returned once the price is repaid within a further three months.

8Article 12 of the Constitution of Cyprus guarantees fundamental safeguards in criminal proceedings. Which principle is explicitly protected under Article 12.1?

A.Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege (prohibition of retroactive criminal offenses and retroactive heavier penalties)

B.Mandatory trial by jury for all indictable offenses punishable by more than two years imprisonment

C.Automatic expungement of criminal records upon payment of a statutory administrative fine

D.The right to private prosecution without oversight by the Law Office of the Republic

Explanation: Article 12.1 of the Constitution establishes that no person shall be held guilty of any criminal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute an offense under the law at the time when it was committed, nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than that applicable at the time.

9Under Article 12.2 of the Cyprus Constitution, which constitutional safeguard protects an individual who has been tried and acquitted or convicted of an offense?

A.The rule against double jeopardy (non bis in idem), prohibiting a second trial for the same offense

B.The right to choose the presiding judge on appeal

C.The absolute right to bail pending extradition hearings

D.The right to have all police notes destroyed immediately following acquittal

Explanation: Article 12.2 enacts the rule against double jeopardy: no person shall be tried twice for the same offense. A final acquittal or conviction by a competent court bars subsequent criminal prosecution for the same substantive offense.

10Under Article 28 of the 1960 Constitution of Cyprus, how is the principle of equality before the law interpreted by the courts?

A.Equal treatment of persons in similar situations; differentiation is permissible only if based on objective, reasonable, and relevant grounds

B.Absolute identical mathematical treatment of all persons regardless of factual differences

C.Protection that applies only to citizens of the Republic and excludes foreign nationals entirely

D.A principle applicable exclusively to criminal sentencing and inapplicable to taxation

Explanation: Article 28 ensures that all persons are equal before the law, the administration, and justice. Cypriot jurisprudence (e.g., Mikrommatis v. Republic) establishes that equality requires equal treatment of substantially similar situations, but permits differentiation where it is based on objective, rational, and justifiable criteria.

About the Cyprus Bar Exam Exam

The Cyprus Bar Examination (Εξετάσεις Νομικού Συμβουλίου) is the statutory qualifying examination conducted by the Legal Council of the Republic of Cyprus under Section 5 of the Advocates Law (Cap. 2 / Περί Δικηγόρων Νόμος). Passing it is a precondition of the Legal Council's certificate of entitlement, which allows enrolment on the Roll of Advocates (Μητρώο Δικηγόρων) kept by the Chief Registrar and, on payment of the €100 fee under Section 6, membership of the Cyprus Bar Association (Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος). Candidates must be at least 21, hold a recognised law degree, and complete 12 months of pupillage (άσκηση) with an advocate of at least 5 years' standing or at the Law Office of the Republic. The examination covers 10 written subjects: 8 compulsory (Constitution; Judiciary / Advocates Law / Lawyer's Ethics; Criminal Law; Civil / Tort Law; Civil Procedure; Evidence Law; Contracts; Criminal Procedure) and 2 electives chosen from Article 146 of the Constitution, Corporate Law, Family Law, and Land Law / Succession Law. Note on format and language: the official examination consists of written papers, and Section 5(5) of Cap. 2 requires it to be held in the official languages of the Republic, the English-language option having been withdrawn from 16 August 1965; in practice the Legal Council conducts it in Greek. This 100-question practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for conceptual mastery, statute recall and case analysis. It is not an official translation, not a simulation of the written paper format, and not a substitute for practising legal drafting and problem-answer writing in Greek.

Assessment

Section 5 of the Advocates Law (Cap. 2) requires the examination to be held in writing, under the supervision and direction of the Legal Council, by examiners it appoints, on subjects it determines and publishes in the Official Gazette. It is held three times a year at roughly four-monthly intervals, and the third examination period of each calendar year is reserved for candidates who failed wholly or partly in an earlier period. The Legal Council lists 8 compulsory subjects (Constitution; Judiciary / Advocates Law / Lawyer's Ethics; Criminal Law; Civil / Tort Law; Civil Procedure; Evidence Law; Contracts; Criminal Procedure) and 2 electives chosen from Article 146 of the Constitution, Corporate Law, Family Law, and Land Law / Succession Law.

Time Limit

not-published

Passing Score

Cap. 2 requires success in an examination satisfactory to the Legal Council and does not fix a pass mark; none is published for the current 10-subject examination. The 50% per-subject pass mark, together with the 3-subject/60%-average and 4-subject carry-forward rules, appears in the Legal Council's reform announcement of 18 March 2026 and governs the revised 5-subject framework from 1 July 2030.

Exam Fee

Set by the Legal Council from time to time under Cap. 2 s.5(6); the amount is not published. A separate €100 fee is payable under Cap. 2 s.6(1) on enrolment on the Roll of Advocates. (Legal Council of the Republic of Cyprus (Νομικό Συμβούλιο Κύπρου) under the Advocates Law (Cap. 2))

Cyprus Bar Exam Exam Content Outline

Core subject

Constitutional Law & Legal System (Συνταγματικό Δίκαιο)

1960 Constitution of Cyprus, separation of powers, fundamental rights and liberties (Part II, Articles 6–35), the doctrine of necessity (Mustafa Ibrahim), independent officers of state, and judicial hierarchy.

Core subject

Courts of Justice, Advocates Law & Legal Ethics (Δικαστήρια, Δικηγόροι & Δεοντολογία)

Courts of Justice Law (Law 14/1960), Advocates Law (Cap. 2), pupillage standards, Cyprus Bar Association Code of Conduct, advocate-client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and Disciplinary Board proceedings.

Core subjects

Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure (Ποινικό Δίκαιο & Ποινική Δικονομία)

Criminal Code (Cap. 154: actus reus, mens rea, general defenses, inchoate offenses, offenses against the person, property, and administration of justice) and Criminal Procedure Law (Cap. 155: arrest, remand under Section 24, bail, charge sheets, indictments, trial on information, and sentencing).

Core subjects

Civil Wrongs & Contract Law (Αστικά Αδικήματα & Συμβάσεις)

Civil Wrongs Law (Cap. 148: negligence under s.51, contributory negligence under s.57, defamation and the privileges in ss.17-24, assault under s.26, false imprisonment under s.29, trespass under ss.43-44, nuisance under ss.45-46, vicarious liability under s.13, and the reversed burden of proving negligence for dangerous things, fire and animals under ss.52-55) and Contract Law (Cap. 149: formation, consideration, vitiating factors, void agreements, frustration under s.56, damages under s.73 and stipulated sums under s.74).

Core subjects

Civil Procedure & Law of Evidence (Πολιτική Δικονομία & Απόδειξη)

Civil Procedure Rules (including New CPR 2023: overriding objective, pre-action protocols, claim forms, pleadings, summary judgments, interim injunctions under Section 32 of Law 14/1960) and Evidence Law (Cap. 9, Law 32(I)/2004: burden and standard of proof, admissibility, hearsay exceptions, legal privilege, and expert testimony).

Elective subjects (2 chosen)

Elective Subjects: Article 146, Company, Family & Property/Succession Law

Article 146 administrative recourse before the Administrative Court (75-day time limit, legitimate interest, grounds of annulment); Companies Law (Cap. 113: corporate personality, directors' fiduciary duties, minority protection); Family Law (divorce, matrimonial property claims under Law 232/1991); and Immovable Property (Cap. 224) and Wills/Succession (Cap. 195: disposable and statutory portions).

How to Pass the Cyprus Bar Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Cap. 2 requires success in an examination satisfactory to the Legal Council and does not fix a pass mark; none is published for the current 10-subject examination. The 50% per-subject pass mark, together with the 3-subject/60%-average and 4-subject carry-forward rules, appears in the Legal Council's reform announcement of 18 March 2026 and governs the revised 5-subject framework from 1 July 2030.
Assessment: Section 5 of the Advocates Law (Cap. 2) requires the examination to be held in writing, under the supervision and direction of the Legal Council, by examiners it appoints, on subjects it determines and publishes in the Official Gazette. It is held three times a year at roughly four-monthly intervals, and the third examination period of each calendar year is reserved for candidates who failed wholly or partly in an earlier period. The Legal Council lists 8 compulsory subjects (Constitution; Judiciary / Advocates Law / Lawyer's Ethics; Criminal Law; Civil / Tort Law; Civil Procedure; Evidence Law; Contracts; Criminal Procedure) and 2 electives chosen from Article 146 of the Constitution, Corporate Law, Family Law, and Land Law / Succession Law.
Time limit: not-published
Exam fee: Set by the Legal Council from time to time under Cap. 2 s.5(6); the amount is not published. A separate €100 fee is payable under Cap. 2 s.6(1) on enrolment on the Roll of Advocates.

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Cyprus Bar Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the fundamental English common law codifications of Cyprus: Contract Law (Cap. 149), Civil Wrongs Law (Cap. 148), Criminal Code (Cap. 154), and Evidence Law (Cap. 9).

2Pay close attention to Section 32 of the Courts of Justice Law (Law 14/1960) and landmark Supreme Court decisions (e.g., Odysseos, Seamark) governing interim injunctions and freezing orders (Mareva injunctions).

3Understand the procedural rules under the Civil Procedure Rules (including the 2023 New CPR) and criminal remand procedures under Section 24 of Cap. 155 (eight-day police custody remand rules).

4For public law, memorize the strict requirements of Article 146 of the Constitution: executable administrative act, legitimate personal and direct interest, and the strict 75-day limitation period.

5Track recent amendments, which examiners favour: Law 64(I)/2022 abolished the accused's unsworn statement from the dock under s.74(1)(γ) of Cap. 155 for cases filed from 29 April 2022, and the 2015 amendment to Article 146.4 gave the Administrative Court power to modify decisions in tax and international protection matters.

6Note where Cap. 149 departs from its Indian Contract Act model: s.11(2) applies English law to contracts with persons under 18, and s.74 replaces the liquidated damages / penalty distinction with reasonable compensation capped at the stipulated sum.

7Watch the transition to the Legal Council's revised framework: trainees registered by 30 June 2030 remain on the current 10-subject examination and must complete it by the June 2032 sitting, after which the 5-subject framework applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the Cyprus Bar Examination?

Section 5(2) of Cap. 2 requires the examination to be held in writing on subjects determined by the Legal Council, and it covers 10 subjects: 8 compulsory and 2 electives chosen by the candidate. The Legal Council publishes the subject list but does not publish the duration of each paper, the number of questions, or the mark allocation, so treat any such figure you see elsewhere with caution and confirm it with the Legal Council.

Who is eligible to sit the Cyprus Bar Examination?

Under section 4 of Cap. 2 a candidate must have completed the 21st year of age, be of good character, be a citizen of the Republic or of another EU member state (or the spouse or child of such a citizen), hold a law degree recognised by the Legal Council, and complete at least 12 months of pupillage with an advocate who has practised for 5 years or more, or at the Law Office of the Republic where the Attorney General is satisfied no such place could be secured.

What is the passing score, and is it changing?

Cap. 2 requires only success in an examination satisfactory to the Legal Council, and no pass mark is published for the current 10-subject examination. The Legal Council's announcement of 18 March 2026 sets a 50% per-subject pass mark, with three passed subjects carried forward only if they average 60% and four or more carried forward regardless of mark. Those rules belong to the revised 5-subject framework that starts on 1 July 2030. Trainees registered by 30 June 2030 stay on the current 10-subject system and must complete it by the June 2032 sitting.

In what language is the Cyprus Bar Examination conducted?

Section 5(5) of Cap. 2 provides that the examination is held in the official languages of the Republic, and expressly removed the option of sitting any subject in English from 16 August 1965. In practice the Legal Council conducts the examination and publishes its material in Greek. This 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for conceptual revision and self-assessment; it is not an official translation and does not reproduce the written-paper format or the Greek drafting the real examination demands.

What legal system does Cyprus follow?

The legal system of Cyprus is a mixed system heavily rooted in English common law and equity (introduced during British administration and codified in statutes like Cap. 148, Cap. 149, Cap. 154, and Cap. 155), alongside continental civil law influences in public and administrative law (Article 146 of the 1960 Constitution inspired by Greek administrative law and the Conseil d'État).