Ara n Zohrabyan started his activities as head of the Chamber of Advocates with a “wartime letter” as he puts it. He was elected Chairman of the Chamber of Advocates on September 14, 2013 and assumed his office on October 4. On the same day two draft laws on increasing financial responsibilities pf advocates were put into circulation, which were severely opposed by the advocates community and to which  the Chamber of Advocates  with its president declared a “war”. But Ara  Zohrabyan’s activities are not  limited to this one point. Many changes have been implemented in the course of his office, but certain issues still remain and iravaban.net reflects on those.

To the question on the conditions of advocates in the regions Mr. Zohrabyan mentions that he has not yet found the key to the improvement  of those conditions, but several  measures have been  implemented in this regard.” A new institute has been established- Regional coordination institute, meaning that advocates in the regions a coordinator   from among themselves who manages the issue of regional advocates and present them to the Chamber”.

He goes on “In December 2013 we became a member of the International Union of Advocates (residence in Paris).In November November 2013 a Cooperation memorandum was signed between the RA Chamber of Advocates and the Chamber of Paris, in the Framework of which 2 advocates will be sent to France for training courses. Cooperation memoranda have also been signed with the Chamber of Advocates of Belarus, Georgia and city of Marseilles.”

As to the draft laws on  “Amending and adding  to the RA Law on Advocacy” and on “ Amending the Ra law on  State taxes”,Mr Zohrabyan  says that he is not  sure whether that was a coincidence  or intention , but those draft laws were circulated on October 4, 2013 – on the day of him assuming his powers. He says: Unfortunately my first letter seemed to be a wartime letter addressed to the Ministry of Justice”.

And to the question on whether it is possible to say that the whole potential of advocates is ebgaged in the activities of the Chamber Mr. Zohrabyan answered no:” As we   have many advocates who have not engaged in the active life of the Chamber. Thus I think it is one of the problems of the Chamber, it has to gain that trust by a time passing, and after certain period of time it will work.