Parliament launched a discussion on Wednesday on 38 bills approved by Cabinet on July 2, concerning the separation of powers within the Legal Service.
The goal is to set up a legal framework that will separate the dual powers of the Attorney General, as adviser to the state and head of public prosecutions. The new reforms will split these roles by creating a separate office of the Public Prosecuter General, while the office of the AG and Deupty AG will continue to serve as legal adviser to the state. The duration of their appointments will be limited to a one-off eight-year term, unless they turn 68 before their term is over, in which case they will be required to retire.
The House Legal Affairs Committee convened on Wednesday with the participation of Attorney General Georgios Savvides, Deputy AG Savvas Angelides, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis, the head of the National Lawyers Association, the police and unions.
The AG recently submitted a report, based on findings from the Experts Commission, expressing reservations as to the constitutionality of the proposed reforms that will see his authority halved and essentially slashed when it comes to criminal proceedings.
According to an introductory report by the government , the reform aims “to strengthen the independence of the prosecutorial role, which currently constitutes an integral part of the legal service, and the ability of its officers and public prosecutors to perform their duties with greater autonomy”.
"The most important goal is accountability," the report notes.
The government will open positions of a Public Prosecutor General and a Deputy Public Prosecutor General who will oversee criminal cases. Their terms, mandate and employment will mirror those of the AG and Deputy AG.
The President of the Republic retains the privilege of appointing all aforementioned officials.