law, gives her considered opinion on the outcome of the recent high court case between the Orams and Meletios Apostolides the Greek Cypriot owner of the land that they built their villa on in Northern Cyprus: .
A landmark decision of the Court of Appeal in Britain has confirmed the risks of buying property in the North. The decision in the so-called Orams Case made last month has confirmed that a Nicosia court decision of 2004 does have effect in Northern Cyprus and the Orams, a British couple who built a villa on property originally owned by Greek Cypriot Meletios Apostolides, have been ordered by the British Court of Appeal to demolish the villa, return the land and to pay Mr Apostolides back rent for their period of occupation. They are also ordered to pay Mr Apostolides legal costs .
Whether further legal action will need to be taken to enforce the judgment remains to be seen, but the decision is nonetheless a significant one, highlighting the risk taken in purchasing immovable property in the occupied area by an estimated 5000 British buyers who now face the possibility of similar claims by other usurped Greek Cypriots. With property rights being one of the major issues in reunifications talks the decision also has considerable political impact. Whilst the case will no doubt be cause for grave concern for those who have purchased property in the North, it potentially paves the way to show how a solution could be reached regarding disputed Cyprus property rights in the North .
John Reilly from Buy Abroad added “for years we have been asked about the implication of buying in the North and this ruling highlights why we have always advised against such action. Clients who invested in Paphos property and larnaca property should feel that their decision to buy in those areas was justified as they are protected by the Cyprus land registry system in the south”