Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cyprus Police Association said it filed a request with the Supreme Court seeking a review of the new police reform, but the court ruled the matter does not fall under its jurisdiction.
Request for preferential writs
The Cyprus Police Association (CPA) said it opted to seek preferential writs from the Supreme Court rather than file an appeal before the Administrative Court, describing the procedure it chose as more time-consuming but aimed at a more immediate result.
The association, which is affiliated with the Pasydy union, said it sought writs of mandamus, certiorari and prohibition in response to plans announced by police chief Themistos Arnaoutis at the end of last year.
It said a mandamus compels a public authority to act where it has failed to do so, a certiorari annuls a decision on the grounds of legal error without requiring new action, and a prohibition order prevents a public authority from proceeding with a specific action. The CPA said such writs allow the court to exercise extraordinary powers to ensure administrative decisions are lawful.
Court finding on jurisdiction
CPA president Angelos Nikolaou told the Cyprus Mail the association sought the three writs following legal advice, but said the court ruled the matter does not fall under its jurisdiction.
After the request was submitted on Thursday, the Supreme Court convened to examine the issue with the association’s legal counsel.
In a statement after the meeting, the Supreme Court said that, based on what was put before it, and taking into account that not all members of Sak and Pasydy are de facto affected, and that no relevant judicial precedent has been identified because the matter has not been judged by a court to date, the requested measures may have to be examined by the Administrative Court on the basis of Article 146.6 of the constitution.
Next steps
The CPA said it would decide in the coming days whether to appeal the decision or seek interim measures, with its legal advisers studying the ruling.
What legal step should the Cyprus Police Association take next in response to the court’s ruling?