Filenews 14 November 2020 - by Michalis H'Vassilis
Third attempt by the Minister of Justice to bring the reform to justice. It convened a meeting for next Tuesday of all parties involved in order to reach an agreement and push forward the key bills.
So far, two meetings of Minister Emily Yolitis have been held with members of the Legal Committee and the Cyprus Bar Association, in order to find the right balance and the bills concerning the establishment of the Supreme Judicial Council, the establishment of a Supreme Constitutional Court and a separate Court of Appeal have been sent back to the House. A key issue, which is also a red line, is the request of lawyers and, by extension, Members, to the Judicial Council, which decides on the recruitment and promotion of judges, to involve lawyers as well as judges of lower courts other than those of the Supreme Court.
It should be noted that the Judicial Service is not represented in the Ad Hoc Committee under Mrs Yolitis and reserved its positions. The Supreme Court does not favour lawyers' involvement in the recruitment and promotion of judges, nor provincial judges, and has reportedly told the "F" that if such legislation is passed they will consider its constitutionality.
On the part of the Ministry of Justice, there is cautious optimism that things will move forward so that the bills can be re-tabled in the House with a view to voting soon and proceeding with judicial reform. The positions of the new Council of the Cyprus Bar Association, which insists on the participation of lawyers in the Supreme Judicial Council, have been submitted in writing to the Ad Hoc Committee.
It is also noted that the new buildings that will house the new Court of Appeal with 16 judges as well as other courts in the former Hospitality Hotel are ready, but the failure to pass the bills to set up the new Court of Appeal delays the recruitment of judges and the taking up of their duties. The new Court of Appeal is set up to consider the thousands of appeals whose trial has been delayed for several years.
