Philenews

Regulation of the Attorney General's Discretion - Discussion Begins in the Legal Committee

Published January 14, 2026, 05:14
Regulation of the Attorney General's Discretion - Discussion Begins in the Legal Committee

The Parliament is discussing today a bill concerning the review of the Attorney General's decisions. The bill provides for two stages of review: first internally within the Legal Service and then, if the citizen is not satisfied, to the Supreme Court, with a binding decision. There are also proposals for a law suggesting review by a Special Committee. While the Government wants the review by a Supreme Court judge, the proposals suggest a Special Committee. The discussion focuses mainly on the first bill, while the remaining 39, concerning the 7-year term and the separation of the Attorney General's roles, may be transferred to the new Parliament. There was intense debate about the dual role of the Attorney General, with many MPs wanting him not to be the President's legal advisor and at the same time responsible for criminal prosecutions. However, the Attorney General opposed these changes, citing constitutional obstacles and potential risks to the political issue of Cyprus. Due to the limited time until the dissolution of Parliament, the promotion of changes regarding the dual role and the term of office seems unlikely, despite pressure from MPs.