Services of the Center
We bring the parties to a dispute together in order to resolve it quickly, cost-effectively and out of the court. We also train mediators and we inform consumers and businesses of their rights as well as alternative dispute resolution.
Disputes which we Resolve
We resolve disputes between consumers and traders (C2B), disputes between traders (B2B) and any other civil disputes through mediation, conciliation and arbitration.
Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADR procedures are faster than those of the courts and their costs are lower.
ADR procedures are usually conducted and completed privately and confidentially, without any damage to the reputation of a trader’s business (for example through adverse publicity).
ADR processes are more flexible both in terms of outcome as well as with the procedure followed which does not need to abide by strict procedural guidelines. It is still possible to achieve a fairer outcome for the parties which could not be achieved in a court. This is because the court generally decides a case on a win or lose basis – ADR aims at keeping both parties happy by letting parties reach a mutually acceptable and beneficial outcome.
ADR procedures are friendlier and avoid direct conflicts between parties as compared to those of the Courts.
A few words about the Cyprus Consumer Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution
We are pioneers in online Dispute Resolution
A Trader and the ADR Specialist can apply with a click to become a Member of the Center. A Consumer can also submit his complaint speedily through the website. The Center informs the Trader immediately so as to minimize delays.
We cover all types of Disputes
We cover all types of consumer disputes except for telecommunications and postal services which are handled under legislation by OCECPR.
We are the fastest and most affordable
Our dispute resolution procedures are the fastest and the cheapest on the market today for both Traders and Consumers.
We cover the whole of Cyprus
We cover all Districts of Cyprus for easier and better access to ADR Services for Traders and Consumers.
We cover domestic and cross-border disputes
The services we provide cover both domestic and cross-border disputes that have arisen from both online transactions and off-line transactions.
Impartiality is guaranteed
We guarantee neutrality, impartiality and independence of procedures since we do not represent the interests of anybody.
Reasons to Choose the Cyprus Consumer Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution
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It is Funded by the European Union (Consumer Programme 2014-2020).
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Entrusts ADR to well-trained individuals who possess the relevant Experience and Knowledge.
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First to cover ALL consumer contracts for goods and services except telecommunications and postal services.
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Wide jurisdiction to resolve ANY disputes in the whole of Cyprus.
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Supported by individuals who have years of academic and practical experience in Consumer related matters.
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Lowest Prices.
First ADR Body covering all Consumer Disputes
We have trained over 150 Mediators
Fastest in solving Disputes
Submit a dispute any hour any day
Natural Persons Responsible for Alternative Dispute Resolution
Our Center has over 160 natural persons who are responsible for the alternative dispute resolution of disputes through the methods of mediation, conciliation and arbitration. A lot of them have trained as Mediators with our Center.
How it Works
The operation of the Center is based on Rules based on international standards. We resolve all disputes including consumer, banking, civil and commercial between any party with the methods of mediation, conciliation and arbitration
Seminars
We offer seminars which relate to consumer protection and alternative dispute resolution. Our next seminars relate to banking law, consumer protection and mediation training
Traders Which Have Selected Us
We are striving to change the culture in resolving disputes. Being Co-funded by the European Union, we have tried to approach traders from all economic sectors in order for them to appoint us as the Center to resolve their disputes.
Mothercare
McDonalds Restaurants
Marks & Spencer
Starbucks Coffee
Public
Δήμος Αγλαντζιάς
MANDATORY INFORMATION FOR CONSUMER DISPUTES
Our Contact Details
Address: Kyriakou Matsi 16, Eagle House, 8th Floor, 1082, Nicosia, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 22 519741
Fax: +357 22 318214
E-mail: secretariat@adr.com.cy
Our Authority to Act as an ADR entity
Our Entity is included in a list of ADR Entities and can be found in the website of the Consumer Protection Service and the website of the European Commission.
Languages
The languages in which complaints can be submitted and in which the ADR procedure is conducted are Greek or English.
Membership in networks of ADR entities fasciitating cross-border dispute resolution
We are currently working on this.
Types of DIsputes we are competent to deal with
We currently competent to deal with the following matters arising from consumer disputes:
- Consumer Goods
- Education
- Energy and Water
- Financial Services
- General Consumer Services (Such as Real Estate, Construction of new houses, House maintenance and improvement, renovation)
- Health
- Leisure Services
- Transport Services
There are no thresholds in relation to any of the disputes which we deal with. However, in case the consumer chooses arbitration, the dispute must be over €500 in value.
Our Procedural Rules, average length of the procedure and binding nature of procedures
We use three types of Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures for Consumer Disputes. These are Arbitration, Conciliation and Mediation.
| Type of ADR Procedure | Rules | Other rules which we may use | Average length of the procedure | Is the procedure Binding? |
| Arbitration | Arbitration Rules | Arbitration Law of Cyprus (Cap 4) | 60 days from the procedure being initiated | The procedure is binding provided that the parties have been informed after the dispute arising of its binding nature. An award issued during the arbitral process may be enforced by the court. |
| Conciliation | Conciliation Rules | 40 days from the procedure being initiated | Conciliation and Mediation are not binding and the consumer or trader can walk out of such procedures at any time.
This is unless an agreement is reached between the parties. Such agreement can have the effect of a court judgement if it is registered at the court. |
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| Mediation | Mediation Rules | Law 158(I)/2012 – Law on Certain Matters Arising in Civil Disputes Law of 2012
Law 85(I)/2017 – Law on Alternative Dispute Resolution of Consumer Disputes |
What are the fees of Consumer ADR procedures?
The costs of each procedure are the following:
The fees payable by the consumer and the trader vary depending on the ADR procedure used.
1. MEDIATION/CONCILIATION
Filing Fees for a Consumer who files the Request
€20 non-refundable filing fee, to file the dispute with the Center.
Mediation/Conciliation Fees
| Amount of Purchased Goods or Services in Euro (€) | Consumer Fees in Euro (€)* | Trader Fees in Euro (€) |
| Up to 500 | 20 | 80 |
| 501 – 2.000 | 40 | 160 |
| 2.001 – 10.000 | 80 | 320 |
| 10,001 -50,000 | 160 | 640 |
| 50,001 – 100,000 | 320 | 1280 |
| 100,001 and over | 640 | 1700 |
- All the above fees are exclusive of VAT and are payable prior to the initiation of the Mediation/Conciliation.
- The above fees are based on 8 hours of Mediation/Conciliation. For every extra hour required for Mediation/Conciliation the following fees are payable:
(a) An additional fee of €20 plus VAT per hour for the Consumer and €60 plus VAT per hour for the Trader for any disputes between €0 – €10,000.
(b) An additional fee of €40 plus VAT per hour for the Consumer and €100 plus VAT per hour for the Trader for any disputes over €10,000.
* For financial disputes, no Mediation/Conciliation Fee is payable by the Consumer. For all other cases, the maximum amount payable by the Consumer is €800
3. ARBITRATION
Filing Fees
€20 non-refundable filing fee, to file the dispute with the Center.
Arbitration Hourly Fees
| Amount of Purchased Goods or Services in Euro (€) | Consumer Fees in Euro (€) | Trader Fees in Euro (€) |
| 500 to 10.000 | 25 | 100 |
| 10.001 and over | 30 | 120 |
- All the above fees are exclusive of VAT and are payable on a per hour basis.
- A deposit of two hours of Arbitration shall be paid with the commencement of the proceedings (article 3(2) of the Rules)
- The maximum amount payable by the Consumer is €1000
Natural Persons in Charge of ADR
You can see the persons responsible for ADR by clicking on this link.
Can the consumer or trader withdraw from the procedure?
This depends on the procedure. In the case of arbitration, and provided that this has been agreed after the dispute arising, neither the consumer nor the trader can withdraw from the procedure.
In the cases of mediation and conciliation both parties can withdraw from the procedure prior to reaching an outcome.
When can we refuse to initiate the ADR procedure?
Not all disputes are subject to ADR by the Center. In the following scenarios, we will refuse to initiate an ADR procedure between the consumer and the trader:
- the consumer did not attempt to contact the trader concerned in order to discuss his complaint and seek, as a first step, to resolve the matter directly with the trader.
- We find the dispute to be frivolous or vexatious.
- the dispute is being or has previously been considered by another ADR entity or by a court.
- the value of an arbitration claim falls below €500.
- the consumer has submitted the complaint to us after one year from the date upon which the consumer submitted the complaint to the trader.
- dealing with such a type of dispute would otherwise seriously impair the effective operation of the Cyprus Consumer Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Where, in accordance with our rules we are unable to consider a dispute that has been submitted to us, we shall provide both parties with a reasoned explanation of the grounds for not considering the dispute within three weeks of receiving the complaint file.
Prerequisites to examining a complaint by the consumer
Generally, in order for us to be able to examine a complaint against a trader by the Consumer, the following 3 requirements must be satisfied:
- A payment of €20 must be made by the Consumer.
- The consumer must have filed his complaint within 1 year after the consumer has attempted to resolve the dispute with the trader.
- An attempt must have been made by the consumer to resolve the matter directly with the trader.
