In a recent meeting between the Cyprus Bar Association's new council and the Parliamentary Legal Committee, critical issues plaguing the legal profession, particularly affecting young lawyers, were brought to the forefront. The meeting highlighted two main concerns: the trend of young lawyers turning to non-legal professions due to challenging job market conditions and the inadequate earnings for some who remain in the profession.

Nikos Tornaritis, the Committee's President, raised alarm over what he termed "modern slavery" in the legal field, noting that young lawyers often work for extremely low wages, sometimes handling cases involving millions.

Following the meeting, Michalis Vorkas, the newly appointed president of the Cyprus Bar Association, acknowledged these challenges as key priorities for the Association in the next three years. Addressing a journalist's query about the apparent difficulty in finding legal positions despite the annual graduation of 300-400 lawyers, Vorkas cited the lack of substantial legal work, ineffective execution of court decisions, and significant delays in case hearings as factors driving many new lawyers to seek alternative employment.

Responding to Tornaritis's remarks about the low wages, or "starvation salaries," Vorkas confirmed that this was indeed a reality for some lawyers. He assured that the Bar Association would actively address this issue.

Vorkas elaborated on the Association's immediate goals, mentioning the formation of over 30 specialized committees. These committees are set to tackle a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from human rights and everyday challenges lawyers face, to more specialized subjects like taxation, corporate law, money laundering, and the impact of technology on legal practice.

"These committees will study, conclude, and through the Bar Council, advance their findings not only to the legislative but also to the executive branches of government," Vorkas explained. He underscored that the issues at stake, concerning justice and the legal profession, ultimately serve the public interest and benefit society.

He expressed optimism that, during the Council's three-year term, new legislation addressing key concerns like the enforcement of court judgments and an increase in legal work would be enacted. Such measures, he believes, will not only advance the interests of the legal community but also serve the broader societal good.

Vorkas concluded by emphasizing the Cyprus Bar Association's ongoing commitment to influencing legislation through regular engagement with the Parliamentary Economic Committee and the wider legislative body. He assured that the Association would continue to play a vital role in shaping laws that intersect with societal needs and the legal profession.