North Cyprus Solicitor or Lawyer

It is important to seek qualified and impartial legal advice when buying property of any kind. This is especially true of overseas property and this includes North Cyprus.

The situation in North Cyprus is made more complex by the political divisions of the north and south of the island. This has resulted in a complexity of differing Title Deeds.

When buying land or a property in North Cyprus, most buyers will wish to use a solicitor although there is no legal requirement for this. In any case, all prudent overseas buyers will wish to have the reassurance of a qualified, English speaking local solicitor or lawyer.

The UK distinction between solicitors and barristers does not apply to North Cyprus. All could be more appropriately referred to as lawyers.

Finding a North Cyprus solicitor is not difficult as they tend to have their office close to the Law Courts. A walk round the area will quickly alert you to the presence of the legal fraternity.

For many solicitors, conveyancing properties to overseas buyers is their most popular and remunerative work.

It should be noted that not all solicitors have the ability to explain complex issues by way of the English language, so if you do not speak Turkish, it is best to instruct a solicitor who speaks good English. The best way, or as some would say, the only way, to choose a North Cyprus solicitor is to spend a day visiting the offices of several of them and coming to a view. Buyers should be aware that the legal environment of the UK differs markedly from North Cyprus. Enforcement of contracts is relatively straightforward in the UK, althought it can be costly. Court proceedings in North Cyprus are extremely protracted, and a case can be on the books for several years before a determination of the dispute takes place. During this time, there are opportunities for unscrupulous and dishonest builders and estate agents to dissappear from the scene. In addition, all Court documents and oral proceedings take place using Turkish. If a British or foreign person wishes, or is called on to give evidence, then translation facilities are provided. However, if a British person does attend court, he/she is unlikely to understand what is going on and this compounds one's reservations about North Cyprus justice.

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Buyers should be aware that the legal environment of the UK differs markedly from North Cyprus. Enforcement of contracts is relatively straightforward in the UK, althought it can be costly. Court proceedings in North Cyprus are extremely protracted, and a case can be on the books for several years before a determination of the dispute takes place. During this time, there are opportunities for unscrupulous and dishonest builders and estate agents to dissappear from the scene. In addition, all Court documents and oral proceedings take place using Turkish. If a British or foreign person wishes, or is called on to give evidence, then translation facilities are provided. However, if a British person does attend court, he/she is unlikely to understand what is going on and this compounds one's reservations about North Cyprus justice.

Most North Cyprus solicitors will request that the buyer grants them a Power of Attorney which enables them to act on the buyer's behalf and in their absence. This is normal practice and the buyer should not be alarmed by this. However, a Power of Attorney is a serious matter and should only be granted after due thought. If in doubt, there is no need to grant any such authority.

The North Cyprus solicitor will examine and translate the Title Deeds of the property to be purchased and should be able to explain the precise legal status of the deeds or kocan. He/She will have their own opinion on the likely resolution of the ongoing Cyprus problem.

Many North Cyprus solicitors act for construction companies and estate agents. These bodies will recommend a solicitor to you and possibly offer a reduced fee. However, you may prefer to do some research and legwork in order to instruct your own North Cyprus solicitor. Buyers often complain that their solicitor appears to value his relationship with a builder and estate agent and these relationships appear to take precedence over his duties to the client.

The North Cyprus solicitor will also make an application to the Council of Ministers on your behalf. This grants you permission to own property in North Cyprus. You should be aware that the granting of this permission can take several years. It is quite usual for a buyer to pay the purchase funds in full and move into the proprty, even though the Ministerial approval remains outstanding.

Costs tend to be around £1,000, and rising. Savings can be made if you use a lawyer who has already performed a search on the Title Deeds of the land for of a previous buyer. Some lawyers are familiar with the standard contracts of specific Property Developers and will offer a deep discount on the usual price.

Any foreign person who is considering purchasing a property is North Cyprus should also consider making a TRNC Will. Wills made in the UK, which refer to worldwide assets, are not immediately enforceable in TRNC. In addition, the value of a TRNC property would be added to the assets of a UK deceased person in order to establish his liability for UK Inheritance Tax.

If a person dies intestate in TRNC, then it is not automatic that his/her spouse will have claim to all assets, as children take priority. However, if a person does die intestate, that is without a Will, the assets will not devolve to the TRNC administration. Also, there is no Inheritance Tax in the TRNC.

Most TRNC solicitor will draft a Will and lodge it with the Probate Registrar. The Will should be written in English and Turkish and should include all assets held in the TRNC. This should include bank accounts in addition to property, together with cars and personal goods. Customary costs are around £150.

Making contact with North Cyprus lawyers from abroad can be difficult. They often spend most mornings in court, and often go directly to lunch afterwards. It is often difficult to have an informed conversation with their secretaries / receptionist. Due to the high cost of international calls, they are reluctant to ring the UK. The preferred method of communication is via email, although some solicitors do seem to miss, ignore or lose emails from overseas clients. Speaking with other overseas buyers concerning their legal experiences is a useful way of assessing the service provided by North Cyprus solicitors.

Although the list of North Cyprus Solicitor may appear long, most are based in Nicosia. If you are buying a property along the Kyrenia coastal strip, then a Kyrenia solicitor may be best for you. There are several North Cyprus Solicitors whose names are highlighted in BLUE. These are solicitors with whom we have had dealings. They speak excellent English and have developed reputations with the British community. However, please note that this citation does not constitute a recommendation. If you wish to speak with us in confidence about a solicitor, please telephone the UK agency office on 01446 760105.

The following is a list of solicitors in Kyrenia, Nicosia, Famagusta and Guzelyurt -

KYRENIA( GIRNE)                   North Cyprus Solicitor      Telephone code 0090 392

Mr Munir Akil                 
Namik Kemal Caddessi                     Tel 815 7935
Yetkili Is Merkezi no 2                       Fax 815 6690
                                                          Email munirakil@yahoo.com

Mr Izzy Okray                                       Tel 815 7989
Saemudr Is Merkezi                               Fax 815 7988
                                                              Emaıl ınfo@okraylawfirm.com

Ms Naomi Mehmet                                Tel 816 0440
                                                              Email info@nmplegal.com

Mr Mustafa Guryel & Son
26, Mustafa Chagatay Avenue               Tel: 815 2097
                                                              Fax: 815 4328
                                                              E-mail: m-guryel@kktc.net

Mr Elicos A Liatsos
16 Mustafa Chagatay Avenue                 Tel: 815 2285
                                                              Fax : 815 5383
                                                              GSM 0542 880 8890

NICOSIA. (LEFKOSA)         North Cyprus Solicitor      Telephone Code 0090 392

Mr Hasan  Balman
6, Ankara Street                                Tel.: 227 181
                                                        Fax.: 227 58
                                                        E-mail: balman@kktc.com

Mr Zeki  Bayram
14 Mahkemeler Onu                         Tel.: 228 7616, 228 7476
                                                        Fax.: 228 5899

Ali Dana  & Co.
35a Muftu Raci Efendi Street            Tel.: 227 1015, 2285376/77
                                                        Fax.:227 2076

Mrs Emine Erk
31 Mahmut Pasha Street                    Tel: 227 6153
          .                                              Fax: 228 5652

Oktay Feridun &Associates
Sht.Gazeteci Adem Yavuz Street        Tel.: 228 7070,228 7080
                                                          Fax.: 228 7090
                                                          E-mail: scinar@kktc.net

Mr Ali Riza F Gorgun
5,Ankara Street                                  Tel.: 227 6190
                                                          Fax: 2287 7675
                                                          GSM 0542-852 2323

Mr Gursel Enver Kadri
Muftu  Raci Efendi Street
Ontash Is Hani D-5,6b                       Tel: 227 3928
                                                          Fax: 227 1565

Mr Talat Kurshat & Sons
36 Muftu Raci Efendi Street               Tel: 227 2040
             .                                            Fax: 227 5020
                                                          E-mail  talat@north-cyprus.net

Mr Kivanch M Riza
19 Posta Street                                    Tel: 227 2130
                                                           Fax: 228 8998

Mr Ergin Ulunay
2a Sht. Adem Yavuz Street                  Tel: 227 2386
                                                            Fax: 228 1846
                                                            GSM 0542 851 3840
                                                            E-mail: Ulunay@north-cyprus.net

FAMAGUSTA (GAZI MAGOSA )    North Cyprus Solicitor

Bilgehan Law Office
3 Altay Street                                         Tel: 366 2873/366 3008
Baykal                                                    Fax: 366 3926 
                                                             E-mail: bilgehan-law@superonline.com

Mr Alper Dede
38/201 Ilker Karter Avenue                   Tel: 366 4535
                                                             Fax: 366 4535
                                                             GSM 0542-851 3935
                                                             E-mail: ayftas@mynet.com

Mr Mehmet Devrim
Namik Kemal Meydani                          Tel: 366 3096
Naim Efendi Yolu  No.2B                      Fax: 366 3096
                                                             GSM  0542 851 1079

Mr Ismail Saglamer
9, Fevzi Cakmak Avenue                      Tel: 366 5485
.                                                            Fax:366 5969
                                                             GSM 0542-851 0467.

MORPHOU (GUZELYURT)    North Cyprus Solicitor

Mr Huseyin Malyali
Ecevit Avenue No.B.7                            Tel: 71 42046
.                                                             Fax: 71 44236
                                                              GSM 0542-851 0349

Mr Vehit F Nekibzade
4/L Ecevit  Avenue                                 Tel: 71 42402
                                                              Fax: 71  44367
                                                              GSM 0542 851 2692