Professional opinions by Mr Soteris Argyrou

1) In which aspects do you believe that the legal institutions in Cyprus need further modernization?
In my opinion the major delays of the delivery of Justice in Cyprus is a matter which really affects the whole image of the legal institutions and Legal System in general. We need to follow and update our Procedure Rules and Legal System in a way other countries do in order to follow up with the globalization of Legal System.

2) How does the economical crisis affect the Cyprus legal sector?
Having in mind the above answer, the economic crisis affected the legal institutions even more and further delays are expected. The reason why is that most of the financial institutions and also private business started demanding the money owed to them. The economic crisis also affected Legal services sector and International business expansion but I believe this is something temporary.

3) There are approximately 3000 registered lawyers in Cyprus, what do you think about this in perspective to the population? How do you explain the extensive interest of young people to choose the legal profession?
I think the lawyer’s profession in Cyprus is more than overpopulated? The problem is not the number of registered lawyers. The actual problem is finding someone who really wants to practice the legal profession, and who really enjoys the Court “arena” and who can handle the stress at all costs.

Unfortunately most of the young Lawyers are looking for a salary rather than a job as a Lawyer. In saying that most of the registered Lawyers end up as Company advisors and/or fiduciary services trying to earn as much as they can. This area use to also have high salaries and this is one of the reasons why young people choose the legal profession. Some other choose the legal profession because of family suggestion or pressure. However today things changed dramatically. The Legal Profession does not offer the salaries it use to.

Young people need to understand that a lawyer is a salesperson trying to sell himself and/or his knowledge and/or his services. This is something which not many lawyers are willing to do because this needs time effort and continuous knowledge on current legal matters and/or legislative amendments and Court decisions. It also requires a respectable amount of money at the beginning as a starting point for those who decide to open their own law firm and who are not coming from families which are already dealing with the legal profession. However, in the long run it will be very rewarding if you respect your clientele and yourself and most importantly if you actually love your profession as a lawyer.

4) Are female lawyers as respected in the field as male lawyers?
I believe female lawyers they are as respected as male lawyers. Female lawyers have different pros and cons than male lawyers but still female lawyers they are good researchers and good opponents in the Court. I believe the society made people believe that legal profession is a male profession but my opinion is that this is wrong. One should take into consideration our Middle Eastern background and the relevant influences which had in our society, by believing that males are more efficient than females. However, those “residues” which were left on our society have been eliminated.       

5) How can the shown tendency of Cyprus lawyers to work mostly with corporate law and offshore business affect other areas of practice?
This was partly answered in question number 3 above. Corporate law and offshore business is easier more profitable and a less stressful area. At least it use to be. However this is the reason why Lawyers practicing law (meaning in Court) are rare to find. Practicing Law as mentioned above it is less profitable at the beginning but at the end I believe the reward and the self- esteem is much higher. Besides, this is what Lawyers are trained for. To argue in court, bend the law, and sometimes even “force” the legislators to change the law when a Court case is won before the Supreme Court. This is the magic of the Common Law system.

6) What characterizes, in our days according to your opinion a good lawyer?
It is my opinion that a good Lawyer is characterized and recognized by his/her ability to research and apply the legislation and the principles which arise by case law, professionalism, the respect towards Client needs and of course to have himself self-respect, because if you do not respect your self you are in no position to respect others. Self respect is a factor which leads to morality honesty, and we as lawyers we should promote morality for society’s benefit.  

7) What must be done to strengthen Cyprus role as an international business center?
Low Company taxation, Competitive resources and facilities, Reduce Bureaucracy, Higher Standards Services (Legal, Accountants), Strong Banking Sector.

8) How can potential investors’ confidence in Cyprus develop?
By providing potential investors a secure political and legal environment together with strong financial institutes and legal services I believe is a good ground of the potential investors to recover their already lost trust in Cyprus after the 2012 economic crisis.

9) What are the opportunities in Cyprus in times of recession?
The opportunities in times of recession can be found in any area. About the legal profession the opportunity is also a challenge. Cyprus offers investment opportunities for companies and individuals. Investments in Banking Sector and Private Companies as well as in property which renders the field prosperous after the economic Crisis, and such opportunities are more easy to be found.

10) What were the biggest challenges you faced during your career, and how have you overcome them?
Time management and researching where I have understood that the more i studied, the less I know. Furthermore, the challenge of managing a Law firm which expanded from one person to a Legal Team, and the efforts in order to provide proper guidance to junior lawyers of the firm as best as i can in order to set the proper professional background.

11) Can you describe your favorite legal issue/project that you have worked on (and why)?
In general Fighting Court Cases is my favorite topic. Criminal Law is of my favorite. In my beginning of my career I have dealt with almost all areas of law.  After starting my own firm I have started allocating Lawyers each on their specialization. Now I am dealing mostly with Criminal Law because of my background (being Police Officer and worked in Police Prosecution office). Taking into consideration the impact of the Economic Crisis, the Crimes of Economic and Financial matters have increased. Many of those crimes are being dealt through the Criminal Penal Code which is my field area for providing me the opportunity to help people who have being tricked by opportunist through the Legal System in order to defend their rights.

12) What does your firm look for when hiring?
Self confidence, good character, willingness to work, ability to research, the ability to work under pressure. Most importantly, we as a law firm we seek persons which are honest and who are able to respect Clients and colleagues who love the team work spirit.

13) Do you accept any case that comes in or do you have certain criteria’s choosing your cases?
Our firm now covers almost all areas of Law and we are willing to hear and help Clients and provide them with the best possible advice. We do accept most of the cases, however, cases that we cannot handle as Law Firm either we divert to other firms or we work on them with co-operation with other Firms.

14) After many years of experience, practicing the legal profession do you believe that justice reveals the most times in court.
In order for Justice to be revealed the client and us as their Lawyers we need to follow the rules and procedures of the Court. This most of the times is stressful for Clients. However those procedures have evolved through decades of legislation based on Society’s needs. Henceforth any Judicial decision in favor of the claimant provides the satisfaction for the Claimant and any consequences (according to law) for the other party and should be respected. Based on that, it is my opinion that justice is indeed revealed most of the times in Court.

One should bear in mind also that Justice in Cyprus, and our Judicial system is on high standards, which is a factor that renders Cyprus as a good destination for investments because it offers stability in society.

15) If you had the opportunity to change something in your life, what, if anything, would you do differently? If you had a completely free choice, which law would you like to change and why?
I love my work and I always look ahead. I would change nothing in my life. We always use our mistakes to learn and become better. In relation to which law I would like to change that remains to be seen.

16) What is your advises towards future investments that wish to operate in Cyprus?
My suggestion and advice to future investors in any kind of investment always is to seek advice by a professional. This will give value to their investment but will also protect their investment from opportunists which their purpose is to take advantage of them. Furthermore, proper guidance by professionals provides the proper background in order to be able to seek your rights before the Court.

By Ilarion Astreos, senior law student (LLB), at University of Wales