NICOSIA - The prevalence of rule of law in the Republic of Cyprus is of an utmost importance, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has said, noting that all citizens should be equal before the law.

He was speaking, on Tuesday, after new Cyprus Supreme Court Judge Despo Michaelidou was sworn in, at the Presidential Palace.

Addressing the new Judge, he told her the duty she takes over has to do with the preservation of the Republic’s Constitution which is, as he noted, the highest obligation everyone has since it constitutes the basis of the Republic itself.

Together with other social functions, justice should be focused on people particularly within the new economic climate.

The Cyprus President pointed out that the judicial system will inevitably be subjected to greater pressure and will be called on to respond effectively to new challenges, something which ought to be done always with a sense of duty, objectivity and social sensitivity.

“It is of the utmost importance under these circumstances that the Republic of Cyprus is truly a state governed by rule of law where citizens are equal before the law”, he said.

On her part Michaelidou expressed her conviction that in these difficult times, institutions must be preserved, adding that the people’s sense of justice should also remain steadfast.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in Cyprus. It is composed of thirteen judges, of whom one is the President. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine all appeals from lower courts in civil and criminal matters, it hears any recourse filed against executive or administrative authorities, it has exclusive jurisdiction to issue the prerogative writs of Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Quo Warranto and Prohibition and it hears admiralty cases.

It has exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions concerning the interpretation and application of electoral laws and it examines the constitutionality of any law or any conflict of power or competence which arises between any organs or authorities of the Republic.

The seat of the Supreme Court is in Nicosia.