Serious delays in Cyprus’ justice sector lead young lawyers to find jobs outside their expertise, a phenomenon worsened by “pittance pay”, the House legal committee heard on Wednesday.

Newly appointed chairman of the bar association Michael Vorkas attended the session, telling MPs one of the priorities he will focus on in his three-year post is tackling the low wages young lawyers receive.

He added there are difficulties in finding lawyers, as 300 to 400 graduate every year but court cases taking too long and many court decisions are not effectively carried out mean young lawyers look to find a different field of work.

Vorkas specified the bar association would prepare about 30 special committees that would deal with matters such as human rights, tax issues, corporate law, money laundering, as well as tech and law.

He assured the association would also be contributing to the House finance and legal committees as well as parliamentary matters.