In the case of Constantinou and Others v. Cyprus the Court held that there had been no violation of the right to a fair hearing and no violation of the protection of property.

The case concerned new laws passed in Cyprus in 2011 and 2012 reducing civil servants’ salaries and pensions, amid the worldwide financial crisis. The applicants are 450 Cypriot nationals who were all public sector employees or retirees at the time.

The Court found that the applicants’ pension and salary cuts had been relatively small and limited in time, lasting between five and ten years, and had been justified by the dire financial situation in Cyprus. It found no inconsistency in the national courts’ approach when deciding on the applicants’ complaints. Moreover, the courts had comprehensively interpreted the new legislation, carefully balancing any interference with the applicants’ individual property rights against the general interests of the community.

• Press release