New rules seek to smooth process of claims against lawyers

A CHANGE in the law, coming into force at the end of the month, will, for the first time, provide guidelines for negligence claims against lawyers. The changes also aim to clarify the procedures for bringing complaints to the bar association.

Andreas Danos, a member of the bar disciplinary committee for 21 years, sees the changes as “simplifying the process of law”. Danos also believes the changes will “probably” lead to an increase in the number of cases heard. Directives have been given requiring advocates to take out insurance to cover cases of negligence.

The new procedures aim to improve the manner in which lawyers deal with their clients and should lead to an improvement in standards. The most common complaint received by the bar disciplinary board has been over monies received by lawyers and not given to clients. The proposed changes aim to speed up this process and remove delaying tactics employed by some lawyers to slow the proceedings of a claim.

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.