Papaioannou hands out money to public sector lawyers

A gradual increase of 10%-15% over time in the pay of salaried lawyers of the State, public entities, OTA and OGA, is retroactively in effect from November 1st, 2011.

Furthermore, pursuant to Decision (28.2.2012) by Minister of Justice M. Papaioannou, Deputy Minister of Administrative Reform Mr. Rovlias and Deputy minister of Finance Yiannis Sachinidis, salaries of career lawyers who have rights of audience in Court amounts to 1250 euros, of lawyers who have rights of audience within the Court of Appeals to1652 euros and of lawyers who have rights of audience in the three major courts, the State Council, the Supreme Court and the Court of Auditors, to 1906 euros.

Moreover, the hourly 2% bonus on top of the basic salary for each lawyer for two years from the date of registration in the relevant Bar Association, which was abolished in 2004, is back in effect.

Also, salaried lawyers will receive the family benefit allowance, as well as Christmas, Easter and holiday bonuses (with the relevant cuts).

Even those who perform the duties of head of legal services will receive a bonus of 250 euros, while those who are the head of the Legal Services Division will receive a 400-euro bonus.

In another, secondary decision by Mr. Rovlias and Mr. Sachinidis, the remuneration of lawyers on retainer by independent directors or regulators, the SEC and the Accounting Standards, was increased beyond 10%-15% and 400 euros per month. Additionally, they will also receive the 2% hourly bonus.

The increase in earnings of salaried lawyers in both categories has a retroactive effect from November 1st, 2011, and will be phased over a time period of three years, according to the requirements of Law 4024/2011, referring to a single payroll, employment reserves and the medium-term Fiscal Strategy framework 2012-2015.