Nicosia: The reform of the Attorney General’s institution, focusing on the separation of its dual role, was the central theme at the Annual Conference of the Law Office Academy in Nicosia. The event saw participation from President Nikos Christodoulides, House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, Attorney General George Savvides, and European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath. They addressed the conference under the theme ‘Historical Evolution, Prospects and Challenges for the Institution of the Attorney General of the Republic’, highlighting Cyprus’s ongoing efforts to reform a key constitutional entity.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the necessity to modernize the Attorney General’s office by disentangling its dual role. This reform aims to cater to public demands for increased independence, transparency, and the prevention of conflicts of interest. President Christodoulides elaborated that the reform would involve assigning criminal prosecution responsibilities to a newly proposed Office of the Prosecutor General, while the Attorney General would remain the state’s legal adviser.
The reform aligns with recommendations from the Venice Commission, the European Commission’s Rule of Law reports, and GRECO, positioning Cyprus closer to European and international standards. President Christodoulides also acknowledged the Attorney General’s concerns about the proposal’s constitutionality, committing to address them through dialogue.
European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath, in a recorded message, expressed strong support for the reforms. He stated that separating the dual role of the Attorney General and creating an independent Office of the Prosecutor General is vital for enhancing accountability and judicial independence in Cyprus. McGrath highlighted that this separation would bolster justice independence and combat corruption while improving democratic checks and balances.
In her address, House President Annita Demetriou stressed that the reform discussion does not undermine the Attorney General’s institution but aims to bolster its independence, accountability, and effectiveness. She described the Law Office as integral to daily life and pivotal to the Republic’s functioning and legal system.
Attorney General George Savvides called on the House of Representatives to enact legislative measures to protect state institutions and uphold constitutional order. He voiced concerns over the misuse of social media influencing public perception with misinformation and reiterated his reservations about the proposed restructuring’s constitutionality, particularly the separation of powers.
Savvides affirmed his office’s dedication to fighting corruption, citing the establishment of a specialized Task Force in 2022 and positive feedback from the European Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report as evidence of Cyprus’s progress in this domain.