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Thousands of Property-Buyers Alerted to Cyprus Test Case
By Rachel Williams, PA (Scotsman)

A British couple are embroiled in a court battle to save their dream holiday home in northern Cyprus after they were sued by the original landowner and ordered to demolish the villa.

David and Linda Orams are appealing against the ruling, which says they must also pay Greek Cypriot refugee Meletis Apostolides damages of about £7,000.


But if they lose the test case and refuse to flatten the home he may try get the November judgment enforced in England, which could result in a claim on their property in Hove, East Sussex.

The couple, whose villa with swimming pool in Lapithos is worth a reported £160,000, believe their case could affect thousands of Britons who have bought properties in the Turkish-controlled north.

Mr and Mrs Orams apparently bought the building as a shell and moved in some 18 months ago, spending half the year in Cyprus.

The country’s accession to the EU last year allows its court judgments to be carried out in another member state.

Mrs Orams, 58, insisted in court in Nicosia yesterday that she and her 60-year-old husband had acquired the land legally, the Cyprus Mail reported.

They bought it from a Turkish Cypriot in accordance with the rules and regulations in the north, she told the court.

She explained that she recognised the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and pleaded ignorance to the fact that Mr Apostolides had been forced out and had to abandon his land during the 1974 Turkish invasion, the newspaper said.

Mr Apostolides’s lawyer, Constantis Candounas, argued that the Turkish-run state was not recognised by anyone apart from Turkey, and property seized from Greek Cypriot refugees by force could not be legally sold.

Gunes Mentes, for Mrs Orams, presented the title deeds to the property, which she said had been issued by the land office in the north.

The former museum assistant said: “Turkey recognises it, I recognise the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus, and Hassan

the Turkish Cypriot man they bought the property from] had the necessary titles.”

Mrs Orams said they bought the property in good faith and everything was done “according to the rules”.

Mr Candounas said Mr Apostolides’s home had been purchased by him and did not belong to a Turkish Cypriot.

But Mrs Orams countered: “Apostolides claims we acquired the land illegally; I deny this.

“We followed all rules and regulations and laws of TRNC.

“We love Cyprus and we want to live here.”

Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974 by the “Green Line” which separates the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” from the rest of the island.

The TRNC is not recognised by the British Government.

The Foreign Office warns that this and the possibility of a future political settlement in Cyprus could have “significant practical or financial implications” for those considering buying property in the north.

It “strongly advises” anyone looking to buy in Cyprus to seek independent qualified legal advice.

The case was adjourned until January 21, when the two sides will present their closing arguments.
 

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By Mary Antonescu