Michalis Vorkas, who was re-elected unopposed for a second term as president of the Cyprus Bar Association, says the next three years will be defined by efforts to complete the justice reform process, modernise court operations and address longstanding problems affecting lawyers and court users.
In an interview with Politis, Vorkas reviewed the achievements of his first term, outlined his priorities for the next three years and discussed challenges ranging from court delays and digital transformation to support for young lawyers and the impact of artificial intelligence.
Taking stock of the first term
Vorkas described his first mandate as a period of intensive collective effort focused on tackling lawyers' day-to-day concerns, strengthening the institutional role of the Bar Association and advancing meaningful reform of the justice system.
Among the achievements he highlighted were:
- Participation in 262 parliamentary committee meetings.
- Submission of 44 written memoranda on legislative matters.
- Establishment of the Cyprus Bar Association Academy.
- Organisation of 162 training activities attracting more than 22,000 participants.
- Expansion of the association's digital services.
- Strengthening of regulatory and supervisory functions.
- Development of European and international partnerships.
- Initiatives supporting young lawyers and reforming entry into the profession.
He also pointed to efforts to safeguard the independence of the legal profession, protect lawyer-client confidentiality and preserve professional standards.
At the same time, Vorkas acknowledged that significant challenges remain unresolved.
Court delays continue to affect the administration of justice, digital transformation remains incomplete and further work is needed on the enforcement of court judgments, conditions within the profession, reform of the Lawyers' Pension Fund and the development of the Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre.
Priorities for the next three years
Vorkas said his foremost objective is the completion of justice reform across all levels of the judicial system.
Key priorities include:
- Effective implementation of the new Civil Procedure Rules.
- Reducing delays in court proceedings.
- Legislative reforms to improve enforcement of court judgments.
- Introducing mandatory lawyer participation in property sale agreements.
- Upgrading court infrastructure.
- Advancing construction of the new Nicosia Courthouse.
Court delays require structural solutions
Asked about persistent delays affecting citizens and businesses, Vorkas described the problem as longstanding and complex.
He argued that while important reforms have been introduced, the real challenge now lies in implementation and measurable outcomes.
A central proposal of the Bar Association is the creation of an Independent Courts Service, which Vorkas described as crucial for improving the administration of the judiciary.
Such a body, he said, would provide specialised management, improve coordination and free judges from administrative responsibilities, allowing them to focus on their judicial duties while preserving judicial independence.
He also stressed the importance of implementing recommendations contained in the European Commission's Rule of Law Report and called for a comprehensive system to monitor case backlogs and court performance through measurable targets and timelines.
According to Vorkas, initial indications of progress should become visible within the first year, while more substantial improvements in case-processing times could be achieved within two to three years if reforms are implemented consistently.
Reform and digitalisation remain unfinished
Vorkas said that important progress has already been made through the restructuring of Cyprus' higher courts and the introduction of new procedural mechanisms.
However, he cautioned that it remains too early to assess the overall success of the reform programme.
Its effectiveness, he said, will ultimately be judged by the impact it has on everyday court operations.
He welcomed upgrades to the iJustice platform, noting that the Bar Association played an active role in the process.
Yet he argued that electronic filing alone does not constitute a fully digital justice system.
What is needed, he said, is a unified and reliable digital environment capable of supporting the entire lifecycle of a case, from filing to final resolution.
Key gaps still exist
According to Vorkas, the most significant weaknesses include:
- Insufficient integration between digital systems.
- Continued reliance on paper-based procedures.
- Inadequate technological infrastructure.
- Limited administrative support within courts.
He also highlighted the need for broader use of digital recording systems and remote hearings where procedurally and practically appropriate.
More fundamentally, Vorkas argued that technological reforms must be planned and implemented more effectively, with better coordination among state agencies, thorough testing before rollout, adequate technical support and continuous training for all users.
"The role of technology should be to facilitate legal practice, not complicate it," he said.
Supporting transparency and the rule of law
Vorkas said the Bar Association has a responsibility to defend the rule of law, judicial independence and fundamental rights.
When issues affecting those principles arise, he argued, the association not only has a right to intervene but also a duty to do so through objective, legally grounded analysis.
He stressed that the organisation contributes expertise during the legislative process through its specialised committees, which review proposed legislation, identify legal or practical concerns and submit recommendations where necessary.
At the same time, he emphasised that the association's credibility depends on applying the same principles internally.
Transparency, accountability and good governance, he said, must also guide the Bar Association's own operations.
Helping young lawyers
Vorkas acknowledged that practising law has become increasingly demanding.
Lawyers face growing regulatory obligations, rapid legal and technological change and rising operational costs.
These pressures are especially acute for younger professionals, who often struggle with the cost of establishing a practice, securing stable employment and gaining meaningful practical experience.
Providing real opportunities for professional development and ensuring that new lawyers can practise under fair and dignified conditions remains a key objective, he said.
The Bar Association has already prioritised reform of the admission process to strengthen practical training and better prepare future lawyers for the realities of legal practice.
During the new term, support for young lawyers and smaller law firms will remain a major focus.
Artificial intelligence and the courts
Turning to artificial intelligence, Vorkas said AI is already reshaping legal practice and offers significant opportunities to improve the administration of justice.
Potential benefits include:
- Faster legal research and case-law analysis.
- Processing large volumes of legal documents.
- Improved case management.
- Automation of administrative tasks.
Such tools could significantly reduce time spent on repetitive work, he said.
However, Vorkas warned that the deployment of AI within justice systems must proceed cautiously.
Issues such as reliability, personal-data protection, legal privilege, transparency and algorithmic bias require careful consideration.
Above all, he stressed that artificial intelligence cannot replace judicial decision-making or the professional responsibility of lawyers.
"The goal is not simply to adopt new technology," he said, "but to ensure that its use leads to a justice system that is more effective, accessible and trustworthy, without compromising the fundamental guarantees of the rule of law."
