His term as president of the Cyprus Bar Association was renewed for another three years. The legal world gave Michalis Vorkas a vote of confidence, without putting down an opponent. Michalis Vorkas knows more than anyone else the problems of justice, lawyers and what afflicts people.
In his interview with "F", he clearly speaks that the reform of the Justice is stuck, throws the ball to the Chambers and the trade unions in order to contribute to the quick administration of justice. He notes that significant changes have been promoted in the sector, but the reform effort has not been completed. Necessary, important interventions, which have also been proposed by the European institutions, are still pending
Regarding the issue of the new Nicosia courthouse, Mr. Vorkas wonders: "They do not understand that we are ridiculed by inaction and indifference in the face of the plight we are living in as a European country. If we want to be among the modern states, we must finally become practical and modern ourselves."
Justice reforms have been the subject of debate for many years. Despite the changes that have been promoted, citizens still face significant delays. Do you think that there is the necessary determination to effectively address the problems?
– It is a fact that in recent years significant changes have taken place in the field of Justice. The reform of the highest judicial level and the introduction of the new Institutions of Civil Procedure are essential steps, which the Cyprus Bar Association actively supported.
However, we must recognize that the reform effort is not complete. On the contrary, important interventions, which have also been proposed by the European Institutions and recognized as necessary, are still pending. The acceleration of the first instance jurisdiction, the specialization of judges, the use of legal assistants, the strengthening of the staffing of the courts, the establishment of procedures for small claims and the operation of the Commercial Court are typical examples.
It is not enough to repeatedly note the weaknesses of the system. We need to proceed with the implementation of concrete solutions, with clear timetables, adequate state resources and a systematic evaluation of the results. The Supreme Court must also demand that the state increase the money needed to reach the result.
The delay in the administration of justice is not exclusively a problem of lawyers or courts. There are Chambers, trade unions and other organizations that, in order to achieve their goal, must stop hiding or being indifferent, and support our efforts. Delays affect the daily lives of citizens, the protection of their rights, business activity, economic growth and, ultimately, trust in institutions. Justice cannot remain trapped in timeless pathologies. The State must ensure the necessary conditions for its effective operation, while all stakeholders must assume their share of responsibility.
As the Cyprus Bar Association (PDS) we will continue to claim the promotion of the necessary changes, with specific suggestions and constructive cooperation. What is now important is the transition from planning to practice.
– Another issue of concern is the digitalization of the courts. After the difficulties encountered with e-justice, can trust be restored in this effort?
– Digitalization is an integral part of the modernization of Justice. However, the experience of e-justice has shown that the technological transition requires particularly careful planning, adequate preparation and meaningful involvement of the users themselves. The serious malfunctions that occurred led to the return to i-justice. An effort to upgrade the system followed, in which the PDS actively participated, with the contribution of lawyers who voluntarily offered their experience and suggestions. The completion of the first phase of the i-xustice upgrade in July 2026 is a positive development. However, it does not mean that the digital transformation of Justice has been completed.
The objective cannot be limited to the electronic registration of documents. We need an integrated electronic case management environment, with modern infrastructure, the ability to use remote procedures where appropriate and effective tools that will facilitate the work of courts and lawyers.
At the same time, the technological upgrade must be accompanied by the upgrading of the building facilities and the appropriate staffing of the courts. If we want to be among the modern states, we must finally become practical and modern ourselves. The promotion of the new Nicosia Courthouse is of particular importance to us, as the current conditions do not meet the needs of a modern and effective Justice. "Don't they understand that we are ridiculed by inaction and indifference in the face of the plight we are living in as a European country"?
Trust is restored through the functionality, stability and efficiency of the systems. This should be the criterion of any subsequent action.
– At a time when citizens' trust in institutions is being tested, what should be the role of the Cyprus Bar Association? Are there any cases in which you think that the PDS should intervene more decisively?
– The Cyprus Bar Association is not just a professional body. It has an essential institutional mission, directly linked to the protection of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the protection of fundamental rights.
Transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law are fundamental conditions for the functioning of a democratic state. When issues arise that affect these principles, the GPP has an obligation to take a position and intervene responsibly. Our interventions must be institutional, documented and free of any expediency. Our role is not to limit ourselves to identifying problems, but to contribute with specific suggestions to dealing with them.
We also do this through our participation in the work of the House of Representatives, where representatives of the PDP systematically participate in the examination of important legislative initiatives. The independence of the legal profession is also a basic prerequisite for the effective protection of citizens' rights. A lawyer must be able to perform his duties without undue interference or pressure, with full respect for the principles of professional ethics. As PDS we will continue to defend these principles and to formulate our positions with consistency, responsibility and determination.
Multiple challenges for the legal world
– Apart from the problems of the judicial system, what are the most important challenges faced by lawyers themselves? Is there room for substantial improvement in their professional conditions, especially for younger ones?
– The challenges facing the legal profession today are multiple and constantly changing. The increased operating costs of law firms, administrative and bureaucratic procedures, delays in the administration of justice and difficulties in the execution of court decisions significantly affect the daily lives of colleagues. At the same time, technological advancements and increasing regulatory obligations require continuous adaptation, specialized knowledge and new professional skills.
For young lawyers, these difficulties are often even greater, as they have to establish themselves professionally in a particularly demanding environment. The support of colleagues is a constant priority of the GPP. Continuing vocational education, through our Academy, contributes substantially to enhancing their knowledge and skills.
At the same time, we consider it important to expand the possibilities of professional activity of lawyers, including through the development of arbitration and mediation.
We must also not ignore that the improvement of the conditions for the practice of the profession is directly linked to the proper functioning of the judicial system and the public services with which lawyers deal on a daily basis.
Ensuring the dignity, independence and professional prospects of lawyers is an essential prerequisite for the effective performance of their role as co-functionaries of Justice.
The nine priorities and personal betting
– Your term as president of the Cyprus Bar Association has been renewed for the period 2026-2029. What is your personal bet for the new three-year period and what changes do you think should have been achieved by its completion?
– First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my colleagues for renewing their confidence in me. This is a special honour, but at the same time a great responsibility.
During the past three years, we have worked collectively to strengthen the institutional role of the GPP, to defend the independence of the legal profession and to improve the conditions for the practice of the profession. We actively participated in the justice reform processes and in the legislative work, submitting documented proposals on issues that affect the functioning of the rule of law and the daily lives of citizens.
At the same time, we proceeded with the establishment of the PDS Academy, strengthening the continuing professional education of lawyers, while we developed initiatives to support young colleagues, such as the Young Lawyers' Conference and the Mock Trial Competition. Also important was the strengthening of the Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre, as well as the formulation of the new framework for the admission of new lawyers to the legal profession, which is expected to be implemented on July 1, 2030.
For the new three years, my personal bet is to continue this effort with even greater commitment to achieving tangible results.
(a) Our priority remains the substantial completion of the judicial reform,
(b) dealing with delays;
(c) the effective implementation of the new Civil Procedure Institutions,
(d) the technological and digital modernization of judicial procedures,
(e) the promotion of the role and respect of the lawyer in modern society as well as the crackdown on individual cases of irregular and unethical behaviour,
(f) the fight against corruption in the public sector, the strict application of the rules of law and the protection of fundamental rights to all without exception,
(g) the continuation of the presence of the GPP in European and international bodies, which highlights Cyprus itself as a defender of the Rule of Law,
(h) the adoption of amendments necessary for the effective enforcement of court decisions and other laws related to the protection of citizens in their dealings with each other;
(i) the further upgrading of the services provided to lawyers.
Equally important is the preservation of the independence and dignity of the legal profession, the strict observance of professional ethics and the strengthening of the presence of the GPP in the public and institutional dialogue.
We want a modern, efficient Association, with a strong institutional presence and substantial contact with its members. An Association that will actively contribute to the formation of a Justice worthy of the needs of society.
– Your re-election took place without a candidate for the presidency. How do you interpret this fact and how can the participation of lawyers in collective proceedings be enhanced?
– The absence of a counter-candidate can be considered as recognition of the effort and work carried out during the previous term. This, however, does not mean that there are no different opinions or issues that need further improvement. I firmly believe that the strength of a professional and institutional body lies in the active participation of its members.
The Cyprus Bar Association represents more than 4,500 lawyers, with different experiences, needs and professional challenges. It is important that everyone feels that they have a say and that their opinions are taken into account.
For this reason, we seek to maintain open channels of communication, to strengthen cooperation with Local Bar Associations and to increase the participation of young colleagues in the initiatives and work of the GPP. The Association's Committees are also an important field of collective work and utilization of the scientific knowledge and professional experience of our members. Participation should not be limited to the election of collegiate bodies. It must be a continuous process of dialogue, cooperation and joint effort.
Artificial intelligence will be used in moderation
– Artificial intelligence is expected to significantly change both the operation of the courts and the way of practicing law. Is the legal world of Cyprus ready to respond to these developments?
– Artificial intelligence is already part of the reality and will undoubtedly influence the legal world even more in the coming years.
The possibilities it offers are significant. It can help to search for and process legal information more efficiently, to organise cases and to reduce the time required to complete specific tasks. Similarly, in the judicial system it can be used to improve administrative procedures and manage large amounts of information more efficiently.
However, the use of AI must be done with special care and within clearly defined limits.
The protection of personal data, the safeguarding of legal confidentiality, the reliability of information and the preservation of human judgment are issues of fundamental importance. Artificial intelligence can function as a support tool for the lawyer, but not as a substitute for his scientific judgment, his professional responsibility and the personal relationship of trust with the client.
GPP has an important role to play in preparing lawyers for these new conditions, particularly through education and information on the possibilities, limitations and risks of new technologies.
Through the Technology Committee of the GPP, we proceeded to the preparation of a summary of a guide for the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence by lawyers, essentially transposing the European directions while highlighting the possibilities, risks and professional obligations that arise with the use of these tools. The point is to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology, while ensuring that its application is done with respect for the fundamental principles of law and the values that govern the legal profession.
