Lawyers ‘demanding a cut of ECHR winnings’

D.I.S.Y. DEPUTY and lawyer Christodoulos Taramountas yesterday charged that a number of unscrupulous lawyers-including an officer at the Attorney-general’s office – were demanding a cut of compensation fees awarded Greek Cypriot refugees from the north by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

In a letter sent to Attorney-general Solon Nikitas on Saturday, Taramountas accused lawyers of behaving immorally and urged Nikitas to investigate the matter.

“I had information that some colleagues of mine were asking clients for a 10-15 per cent remuneration for compensation they will get from the ECHR if the court decides in their favour,” he said. “In my view this is illegal and immoral.”

Taramountas also pointed the finger at an unnamed officer at the legal service, who he said was “involved”.

“I gave any information to the Attorney-general and his assistant about the names involved. I ask the Attorney-general to order an investigation into the matter and also to make an announcement regarding the rights of clients.”

Asked how the alleged profiteering had come to his attention, Taramountas said: “These facts have come to my knowledge – I know from my clients and so on.”

But President of the Cyprus Bar Association Nicos Papaefstathiou stressed yesterday no investigation could be launched until a complaint was filed by Taramountas.

“I have not yet received any official complaints or accusations against these members of the Bar,” he said. “I have asked Mr Taramountas to submit to the Association any particular facts he has in his possession – he has not yet submitted any complaints.

“But if any official complaint is launched we will look into it,” he added.

Assistant Attorney-general Petros Clerides said in a statement issued yesterday that as Head of the Legal Service and President of the Disciplinary Committee, Nikitas agreed with Taramountas that the accusations should be investigated.

“The Attorney-general of the Republic assures that, if any such violations against individuals are proved, the appropriate measures will be taken.”

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.