Filenews 19 October 2022
The project, the achievements, the bets won in the last year by the Cyprus Bar Association as well as the new goals for the coming year, were presented at a press conference by the President of the Bar Association Christos Clerides. "As for another big chapter that is a headache for the GPP is that of sanctions against Russia. We are, as he said, in the 8th package of measures which is the most drastic with restrictions on the provision of legal and advisory services in Russia. This package, he added, should be overseen and made sure that GPP members comply, which is an additional bet to be won," he said.
At the conference on the annual review of the Association's work, Mr. Clerides initially said that the Board of Directors of the GPP has worked hard to achieve the goals. "The GPP is now on the map of the society of Cyprus as a living cell with an invaluable offer," he said, noting that the prestige of justice officials has also been upgraded.
"I am very pleased with the course of the last year, a huge amount of work has been done", said Mr. Clerides and referred to his own assessments and the areas that the GPP aims to further elaborate next year, when the term of the Board of Directors expires.
Mr. Clerides said that after the passage of the reform, for which the GPP fought battles, a new day dawned for the Cypriot judiciary. "Our contribution to passing the amendment to the Constitution to allow reform was substantial and now the bet is to put it into practice and make it work," he said, noting that this means that a very large number of judges must be appointed and the vacancies of the Supreme Court, the High Constitutional Court and the High Court must be filled.
The GPP President said that the second bet was to address the problems brought to the country by the Cypriot investment program, with the involvement of a small number of law firms. He noted that the cases of offices mentioned in the reports of the findings for the investment program needed to be investigated.
"It was a marathon race, we were forced to strengthen the Supervision Department of the GPP by hiring a director and an additional expert and so we managed in a very short time to carry out audits on a large number of law firms that we had information that were involved in the program," he said, adding: We are in a phase now that the reports are over, they are put before the Council, Indictments are drawn up or acquitted depending on the information from the Supervisory Firm.
"I think we won that bet as well, or at least we're on track to win it," he said.
As for another big chapter that is a headache for the GPP is that of sanctions against Russia. We are, as he said, in the 8th package of measures which is the most drastic with restrictions on the provision of legal and advisory services in Russia. This package, he added, should be monitored and made sure that GPP members comply, which is an additional bet to be won.
Mr. Clerides then said that the disciplinary boards of lawyers have done a gigantic job, a feat, and have completed a large number of delayed cases. "We are very close to dealing with the backlog (backlog) that existed when I took over as President of the GPP," he said and thanked the Presidents of the Departments and all the members of the disciplinary board.
Mr. Clerides then referred to two proposals that he is currently working on concerning the register of lawyers who do not practice law, which is proposed to come under the jurisdiction and management of the GPP by the High Court, which is a colonial relic. "We are very close to passing the legislation, the bill is ready and I have the Minister's promise that by the end of November it will be put before the Parliament," he said.
He added that in this bill there are also modernizing provisions that concern both disciplinary issues and issues related to the practice of the profession.
He said that based on the recommendation, all lawyers, whether or not they practice law, such as civil servants, bank employees and others, will be required to attend a minimum number of courses on lifelong learning. This is a very radical and groundbreaking move aimed at sending the message that all lawyers are one family.
Mr. Clerides also said that serious bills are still pending concerning the enforcement of court decisions to address the scourge of delays in the enforcement of court decisions. In addition, reference has been made to the creation of the Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre, which will contribute catalytically to the acceleration of proceedings pending before courts with the aim of referring them to this centre.
CNA
