Discussions regarding the attorney-general’s dual role commence today in the House of Representatives, focusing on the proposed establishment of a general public prosecutor.
- Discussions regarding the attorney-general's dual role commence today in the House of Representatives, focusing on the proposed establishment of a general public prosecutor.
On the agenda are 38 bills approved by the cabinet on July 2, which aim to reshape the legal framework surrounding this pivotal role. The House legal affairs committee is set to evaluate these proposals during today’s meeting.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis has emphasized that the current unaudited status of the attorney-general will not be included in this package. Instead, this matter will be addressed through a separate bill developed in collaboration with the Supreme Court.
Attendees at the meeting include the attorney-general, representatives from the police, the Cyprus Bar Association, and trade unions such as Pasydy and Isotita, all of whom have been invited to contribute to the discussions.
Hartsiotis noted last week that the bill concerning the attorney-general has already been drafted and submitted for legislative examination. He expressed optimism that it would soon be tabled alongside the other bills aimed at reforming the legal service.
The Justice Minister acknowledged the complexities surrounding the non-prosecution and suspension of prosecutions, which will be referred to the Supreme Court. He cautioned, however, that the sheer volume of applications for suspensions could overwhelm the court system, necessitating practical solutions.
In a related development, attorney-general George Savvides publicly voiced his concerns regarding the government’s reform plans during a recent roundtable discussion at the University of Cyprus. He highlighted the extensive work the legal service had undertaken to evaluate the numerous bills submitted last autumn.
Savvides pointed out that the high number of proposed laws stems from the need to comply with various international conventions. He also expressed reservations about the reform process, noting the lack of consultation from the executive branch regarding the necessity of these changes.
As the House prepares to deliberate on these significant legal reforms, the outcome could reshape the responsibilities and oversight of the attorney-general’s role, impacting the broader legal landscape in Cyprus.
