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Cyprus : Warrant Of Search Issued Against A Lawyer Cancelled Due To Violation Of Legal Professional

In the recent case RE: ANTONAKIS ANDREOU & CO LLC, a Supreme Court Judge, in Certiorari proceedings, cancelled a warrant issued against a lawyer and his law firm, for the search of the lawyer’s premises, on the ground that the law firm withheld certain important documents, relating to the alleged commission of serious crimes, by a client of the law firm.

In the recent case RE: ANTONAKIS ANDREOU & CO LLC, a Supreme Court Judge, in Certiorari proceedings, cancelled a warrant issued against a lawyer and his law firm, for the search of the lawyer’s premises, on the ground that the law firm withheld certain important documents, relating to the alleged commission of serious crimes, by a client of the law firm.

The Supreme Court held that the search warrant was very wide and did not secure the minimum safeguards, required for the protection of the legal professional privilege, and that conducting a search of lawyers’ premises, should be subject to especially strict scrutiny.

The above decision has been welcomed by the Cypriot legal profession, because it has re-affirmed the existence, respect and protection of legal professional privilege in the Republic of Cyprus, and its importance in a democratic society.

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For further information on this topic please contact Mr. Soteris Pittas at SOTERIS PITTAS & CO LLC, by telephone (+357 25 028460) or by fax (+357 25 028461) or by e-mail (mailto:[email protected]