The Audit Office released a special report on the Judicial Service on Tuesday morning, revealing several significant issues, including missing books from the library, exorbitant electricity bills, and the appointment of lawyers from the same family for various cases.
The audit, conducted as part of the financial review of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC), examined a sample of the Judicial Service’s revenue and expenditure transactions for the year 2023. Additionally, a compliance audit was conducted, focusing on findings and recommendations from previous inspections.
Key findings of the audit:
- Unrecorded leave for judges:
- Annual and accumulated leave of first-instance court judges was not properly recorded, yet they were compensated with the maximum permissible amount upon retirement or resignation.
- There was also a failure to comply with Public Service Leave Regulations regarding judges’ sick leave.
- Unjustified contract extensions:
- The Supreme Court assigned the task of clearing backlogged cases to a former president without a tender process, considering him uniquely suitable. Despite the initial contract being for one year (with a €42,000 annual compensation), it was renewed even after he reported that no substantial work remained.
- High energy costs:
- Poor energy efficiency at the Supreme Court led to electricity costs of €389,769 in 2023.
- Misuse of public funds for parking:
- Free special parking spaces within court premises were granted to Bar Association members, with significant construction costs covered by the state.
- Delays in judicial decisions:
- The slow resolution of civil rights and obligations led to individual appeals against Cyprus at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), resulting in fines against the state.
- Missing library books:
- A physical inventory revealed that 2,206 books were missing from the Supreme Court’s library.
- Mismanagement of court canteens:
- Issues arose from the termination of canteen usage rights at the Supreme and District Courts of Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos.
- Improper asset management:
- Inadequate tracking of movable assets, exhibits, and library collections, violating government warehouse regulations.
- Inaccurate arrest warrant records:
- The arrest warrant registry was not properly updated with executed, cancelled, or returned warrants, resulting in misleading figures.
- Neglect in guardianship decree monitoring:
- Failure to ensure that Social Welfare Services submitted related reports within the timeframes specified by court orders.
- Delays in maintenance orders:
- 285 maintenance orders at the Limassol District Court have been pending since 2011, preventing beneficiaries from collecting €145,145 owed.
- Inadequate legal aid regulation:
- The form for free legal aid lacks provisions to criminalise false or fraudulent statements, and does not require supporting documents to verify applicants’ financial status.
- Delays in legal aid payment processing:
- Lawyers often failed to submit expense lists promptly, leading to delays in the court’s payment of legal aid.
- Excessive lawyer fees and VAT issues:
- Some lawyers providing legal aid services exceeded the €15,600 income limit but were not registered for VAT as required.
- Monopolisation of legal aid cases:
- A small group of lawyers took on a significant portion of approved legal aid cases. For instance, at the Limassol District Court, eight lawyers, four from the same family, handled 67% of approved cases in 2022.
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