independent legal advice

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cliffyamo
Posts: 23
Joined: 11 Nov 2007 01:01
Location: northwest england

independent legal advice

Post by cliffyamo »

Nigel,
Thanks for your comments, you have mentioned taking "independent legal advice"
How would you recommended finding this?
Do you suggets say if you were buying a property in Paphos for example, to travel to Limmasol and look along the main high street for a lawyers office, or is there an organisation or body set up in Cyprus who would be able to give unbiased information on lawyers or solicitors who follow some sort of code of practice and are recommended for there independant statis on giving "independent legal advice".
Nigel Howarth
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Location: Erimi, Limassol, Cyprus
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Re: independent legal advice

Post by Nigel Howarth »

cliffyamo wrote:... taking "independent legal advice" How would you recommended finding this?
I would certainly advise people to use a lawyer in a different area to where they're thinking of buying.

There's an independent specialist property law firm in Limassol run by a British lawyer, Louise Zambartas (see: http://www.cyprusproperty-lawyer.co.uk/) - I'm sure Louise and her team will do a good job.

The British High Commission in Nicosia has a list of lawyers, and they'll be able to provide you with some contacts in Limassol. If you take a look at a document on their website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Frequ ... operty.htm it tells you how to go about getting a copy.

The Cyprus Bar Association has codes of practice, but there seems to be no 'standard' conveyance process as there is in the UK. There's some information on my main website about what a lawyer should do, if instructed, in the "Essential Legal Advice" section.

Regards,
Nigel Howarth
Independent information & advice for Cyprus property buyers
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MC
Posts: 22
Joined: 09 Nov 2007 21:16
Location: UK

Post by MC »

cliffyamo
You are no daubt aware that Nigels advice is invaluable. Please take very good care in choosing your lawyer as I thought I had and am now paying the penalty.
I too have heard of but not used Louise Zampartas, I wish I had known of her in 2005, responses she has offered to questions from strangers in the past were encouraging. We live & learn.
I too am currently in the Northwest & I wish you well in your endeavours.
Good luck
cliffyamo
Posts: 23
Joined: 11 Nov 2007 01:01
Location: northwest england

Post by cliffyamo »

Thanks for the kind words MC and sorry to hear of your experiences.
I,m trying to do as much research as I can before I commit to anything.
Forums and advice like this that Nigel provides is invaluable and essential in the world we live in.There's alway's some one who will "screw you for a fast buck"
I want my "place in the sun" but will not go in blindly and stupidly and will research all avenues.
For example I noticed a villa for sale, close to where we were on holiday just off the road that runs from Paphos to Coral Bay.
The villa had signs of neglect as the grounds were over grown, scorched and burnt by the sun, but a lovely villa no pool in an ideal location.
There was a sign outside on a post directly in front and to the side of the property, hand written for sale with a phone number to cut a long story short, someone had just put the sign up with his phone numbers trying to sell properties elsewhere and had no connection with the property whatsoever, but gave excuses as "they live in the mountains so its hard to get a phone signal to contact them" "the cleaner has the keys and has gone out the country" "i have for sale another property in Peyia what is your budget?" "i'm just looking after it for a friend" and all of a sudden the english language and understanding of it seem to fall in the distance.
"Buyer beware"
I bet the sign is still up there to fool the english and will give exact directions if required.
I cannot afford to lose everything I have worked for over the years and the money I will be spending is my total life savings and believe a lot of people who will be looking on this forum will be in the same prediciment.
They cannot afford to make mistakes. :roll:
MC
Posts: 22
Joined: 09 Nov 2007 21:16
Location: UK

Post by MC »

cliffyamo
I wish you the best of luck in your search. You have obviously taken note of the con artists & some of their tricks. I would certainly urge you to appoint a lawyer with whom you can communicate with & who understands your wishes & demands.
I thought I had covered every avenue possible & in addition can (after a fashion) speak the language, at least enough to understand all that is going on & to answer back but I fell prey to the sob story & thought I was doing someone a favour on the promise of title in a few days or so. That was June 2005. Never again, next time it's title in exchange for the cash or nothing. I know of people who have completed perfectly normaly & the common theme seems to be that it is done at land registry over a 30 minute or so period once all documents are agreed to be in order. It is a minefield & so different to the UK system so a good Lawyer is a must.
Lets hope yours goes according to plan - Good Luck.
bitterlemons
Posts: 19
Joined: 10 Jan 2008 13:05

Re: independent legal advice

Post by bitterlemons »

Hi
Just to say we got an independent lawyer on the advice of a friend although we did not know all correct things that should be in a contract. Now we have read up on things on forum (and Nigel's book), we are so glad we did. Friends who went with the lawyer offered by the developer are not so lucky, they now find.
Nigel Howarth
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Posts: 2905
Joined: 24 Oct 2007 14:38
Location: Erimi, Limassol, Cyprus
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Re: independent legal advice

Post by Nigel Howarth »

Hi bitterlemons

I must admit that I have problems trying to understand some people buying property here. They wouldn't dream of using the same solicitor as the vendor in the UK. But as soon as they get here, their common sense flies out the window.

There's an article in my blog at http://www.news.cyprus-property-buyers. ... ad-apples/ that talks about finding and appointing an independent lawyer. (I'll put it in the faq section).

And thank you for buying (and plugging my book) :)

Regards,
Nigel Howarth
Independent information & advice for Cyprus property buyers
Contact Nigel Howarth
Read the latest Cyprus property news
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