Cypriot lawyer fined 10,000 euros for sexist Facebook post

The Disciplinary Council of the Cyprus Bar Association has fined a lawyer 10,000 euros and issued a formal reprimand for making sexist remarks about a schoolgirl. The disciplinary action followed an incident in 2021 when the lawyer, then serving as an official for a local bar association, attended the inauguration of a new building where students from a music school were performing. Following the event, the lawyer posted comments on Facebook criticizing the appearance of a student and the organizers who permitted her stage attire.

After the post drew public outrage and formal complaints were filed, the lawyer deleted the comments within one to three days. The Disciplinary Council found him guilty of conduct incompatible with the legal profession under the Lawyers’ Law, specifically noting that his position as a representative of the bar association mandated a higher standard of behavior. The council emphasized that a lawyer’s ethical responsibility extends beyond formal duties to any conduct that may damage the reputation of the profession. Although he initially faced five charges, the council convicted him on the fifth count while acquitting him of others, including allegations regarding the unauthorized recording of committee meetings.