Most lawyers doubt impartiality of judges

Six out of ten lawyers in Cyprus do not consider judges to be impartial, while eight out of ten believe judges are influenced by their personal ideological views, a survey has shown.

The findings of the survey, which included 228 lawyers, were presented at the law school symposium of the University of Nicosia.

It showed that 79.4 per cent of lawyers who participated believed judges are over-influenced by their personal views and 61 per cent do not consider judges impartial, Cyprus News Agency reported.

Meanwhile, 56.1 per cent of lawyers consider that public appreciation for their profession is moderate.

Another 55.7 per cent of responders said lawyers play an important role in the “occasional devaluation of the justice system by residents”.

The survey was carried out between July 1 and December 31 last year.

“There was a cultural problem in the justice process in Cyprus and those involved had to be convinced that a significant change and simplification of procedures were needed, as was the case in Britain,” British lawyer Lord Dyson told the event.

The reform of the rules of civil procedure is the seventh project funded by the European Commission. The proposed regulations were prepared by a group of experts, chaired by Lord Dyson.

During the event, other surveys were also presented about what will come after the new procedures are implemented and the use of artificial intelligence in civil justice.

The issue of law enforcement was also discussed at length and the need for immediate thorough reform of the relevant legal framework and other enforcement instruments.

The event was held in memory of former attorney-general, Alecos Markides who died in April last year.