Filenews 23 July 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivassilis
Cyprus is in danger of being left without courts in midsummer, if a security measure is not lifted.
Lawyers are studying various measures, including abstention from courtrooms, if their control by special arches and radiodiagnostic machines is not terminated. Last month, metal detection arches and other machines were installed and operated in all courts nationwide for the purpose of improving the safety of judges and the proceedings being conducted.
Lawyers are reacting strongly to this measure and already the Pancyprian Bar Association and the local associations have sent letters to both the Supreme Court and the Minister of Justice and the Chief of Police, requesting the exclusion of lawyers from these checks. As the president of the Pancyprian Bar Association Christos Clerides told "F", lawyers ask to enter the courts upon presentation of their legal identity card. He added that next Monday the Pancyprian Bar Association will meet, in order to discuss the issue and take measures.
According to the president of the lawyers, the Supreme Court to which they addressed the matter, replied that it was a security issue and referred them to the Ministry of Justice and the Police. Mr. Clerides added that a meeting on the issue with Minister Stefi Drakou has been requested to discuss the issue and if their request for exemption from the audit is not met, then the adoption of measures will be discussed. He also stressed that the issue should be resolved immediately in order to ensure the proper conduct of the work of lawyers and to avoid any inconvenience to which they are subjected from the day of operation of this control mechanism.
Also, in a relevant announcement, the Nicosia Bar Association states that "instead of the primary concern being the safety of lawyers and in general of persons entering the outdated facilities of the Courts, which do not comply in the least not only with the need for a modern court but also with the prerequisites required by European legislation on safety and health issues, unfortunately, those in charge consider lawyers 'dangerous' by subjecting them to unnecessary daily scrutiny." The issue was also discussed in the Pancyprian Bar Association, which also expressed its strong protests.
They further emphasize that as officers of justice, they visit the courts daily, while due to the peculiarity of the courts of Nicosia which are scattered in various buildings, lawyers are subject to constant checks. These checks, emphasizes the president of the lawyers of Nicosia, Michalis Vorkas, are done for no real reason, creates unnecessary inconvenience and complicates our work, while they are subject to radiation.
