-
.
- Русский
Subject: Justice Reform
23 May 2023, RoyalHall, Nicosia
Thank you for inviting me to attend and speak at today's conference organised by Financial Media Way, under the auspices of the Cyprus Association of Chartered Accountants and the Cyprus Bar Association. The topics of the conference are all equally important and timely.
Justice reform, which is one of the topics of the conference, remains one of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order. An effective justice system supports economic and social development. On the contrary, delays are a major obstacle to the efficient functioning of the judicial system, having a negative impact both on citizens involved in judicial proceedings and on key sectors such as the economy, entrepreneurship, competitiveness and foreign investment. When the judicial system guarantees the recognition of rights within a reasonable timeframe, then the market will have confidence in it, creating a climate of certainty and predictability, allowing businesses and investors to move forward, with all the positive consequences for the economy and society. For this very reason, we continue to implement the projects that have already started and are underway, and at the same time we are preparing new bills, with an emphasis on promoting the adjudication of cases in the primary jurisdiction.
As you all know, in 2022 important bills were passed that paved the way for the establishment of important courts.
We were pleased to see the establishment of the new Supreme Constitutional Court with 9 judges and the new Supreme Court with 7 judges, with both of these courts being granted additional third degree jurisdiction in specific cases. At the same time, the Court of Appeal is being established, which will be the appellate jurisdiction and will operate in specialized divisions for the speedy adjudication of appeals.
These courts will be operational on 1 July 2023 and the Government stands by the Supreme Court, which admittedly has most of the responsibility for the implementation of this reform, in order to complete all the actions required for the operation of the Courts.
It is also expected that the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court will become operational, which will take over the adjudication, in an expeditious manner, of large commercial disputes (over two million euros) and all maritime cases. The creation of these Courts, in addition to the effect of reducing the time required for the administration of justice, together with the possibility of using the English language, is expected to contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Cyprus as a centre for the provision of quality services and to attracting foreign investment.
At the same time, it is necessary to make major changes, mainly administrative, to mitigate and/or eliminate the various problems. Immediate priority has been given to the task of clearing the backlog of cases in the courts, while at the same time the digitisation of the courts is being promoted. An interim e-Justice solution was implemented in July 2021. This solution laid the foundations for a smoother transition to a fully digital era in the justice sector, which is expected to be implemented in 2023, serving the operation of the Courts in a difficult time.
At the same time, the Acoustic Digital Recording of Court Sessions Minutes is being promoted, with a timeframe for the implementation of the project in 2025.
At the same time, the Acoustic Digital Recording of Court Sessions Minutes is being promoted, with a timeframe for the implementation of the project in 2025. All these projects are included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The implementation of the new Civil Procedure Rules, which will enter into force on 1 September 2023, will also be a very important project. The new Rules simplify the procedures followed in civil cases, where the longest delays in adjudication time are observed, and ensure, inter alia, timely case planning from the outset and fair allocation of court time. Through fast, flexible and simple procedures and strict adherence to time schedules, significant cost and time savings are expected.
Equally important is the efficient administration of the Courts, through a new structure composed of people with the necessary qualifications and specialisations for this purpose. Special importance is attached to this project, since its implementation will free from the judiciary valuable time that it currently devotes to administrative matters.
In addition to what I have mentioned, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order is currently drafting bills aimed at strengthening the primary jurisdiction, which we have already put out for consultation, with the aim of submitting them soon to the House of Representatives for debate and vote. This includes the strengthening of alternative dispute resolution, as well as the strengthening of legislation on the enforcement of court decisions. At the same time, we are re-consulting on a bill that amends the Courts Act and provides for an increase in the range of jurisdiction of the District and Senior District Judges, which will provide greater flexibility in the system.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The foregoing is part of the Government's policy aimed at the upgraded and efficient functioning of the justice system. This is, after all, the expectation and the completely justified demand of every citizen and of businesses.
In conclusion, I would like to assure you that the Ministry of Justice and Public Order will continue to cooperate closely and efficiently with its "natural partners", namely the Supreme Court, the Bar and the Legal Service, for the completion of the pending issues and the preparation and promotion of many others, so that the legislative regulations that it promotes gather the highest degree of consensus and acceptance. I have already held meetings, both with the Supreme Court and the Pancyprian Bar Association, and I must admit that they were very constructive.
I believe that only if we all work together with a positive approach will the great challenges that lie ahead of us be met, so that this reform can proceed and be implemented and the citizen and businesses can finally feel its benefits.
(NΓ/ΣΧ)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P]
