The legal system in Cyprus is based on the British system. It protects the purchaser’s rights in many ways. For the purchasers protection the Cyprus land registry provides a simple and effective legal "instrument specific performance”. Once the contract of sale is signed and the deposit has been paid, the contract is registered at the land registry. This protects the ownership rights until the title deeds are issued and transferred to the purchaser’s name. Once the contract is lodged with the land registry it cannot be withdrawn by anyone. The property cannot be leased, sold, transferred or mortgaged unless by the purchaser.
