Northern Cyprus-Property Ownership-Court Ruling

Having spent a few very happy years living in Cyprus as a British serviceman and visiting the island subsequently on family holidays I think its fair to say I have a certain love for this jewel in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In my younger days as a soldier stationed near Famagusta I was able to roam freely on the island in both Greek and Turkish sectors. Of course all this changed with the subsequent invasion by mainland based Turkish forces although visits to Northern Cyprus were still possible via Turkey.

Over the years many British expatriates have settled on the island both in the Turkish north and the Greek Cypriot south. But now with the warming of relationships between the two communities, EU membership and a genuine desire for reconciliation being sought it seems that British expatriates living in the Turkish sector may be living on borrowed time, particularly if they have purchased land and built second homes.

A recent ruling in the District Court in Nicosia has ruled in favour of a Greek Cypriot who fled to the south of the island following the Turkish invasion leaving behind land which he legally owned. The land having been subsequently sold by its Turkish occupiers to a British couple.

You can read the full story "British Couple Lose Cyprus Holiday Home Battle" in the Telegraph.