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President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias on Monday appointed Costas Clerides judge of the Supreme Court, in the place of Rallis Gabrielides who passed away.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of Clerides, at the Presidential Palace, President Christofias expressed certainty that Clerides would continue his long and successful course, as well as his contribution to justice.
Clerides thanked President Christofias for the honour and assured he would continue to work with the same dedication to his duties from his new post.
He added that he had ''the natural feelings of great satisfaction because I am given the opportunity to serve the sacred goal of administering justice from the highest scale of judiciary service'' and noted that on the other hand he felt ''deep sorrow'' for filling in the post of his colleague and friend Rallis Gabrielides, who passed away.
In his speech, President Christofias said that Clerides' commitment to serve the Republic of Cyprus ''faithfully and effectively, and administer justice without fear, favours, prejudice or passion, can take on neither flexibility nor any other meaning.''
President Christofias expressed certainty that the new judge of the Supreme Court would carry out his duties in excellent cooperation with the other officers of justice, ''with impartiality, diligence, dedication and above all full respect to people and the society.''
He noted that Clerides should not forget that a third of Cyprus is still under Turkish occupation and that it is important for the Republic of Cyprus to be recognised as a law-abiding state, with all citizens equal before the law, and the Constitution being the highest law of the state.
President Christofias assured that he supports the judicial authority and its officers in every possible way, adding that in this direction he would continue to meet this responsibility with an aim to facilitate the smooth operation of the judicial authority.
Clerides was born in Nicosia in 1952. He studied law in London and was proclaimed barrister-at-law by Middle Temple.
On his return to Cyprus, Clerides worked as a partner in an attorney office for ten years and served for many years as an elected member of the committee of the Nicosia Bar Association.
In 1988, he was appointed District Judge by the Supreme Bar Council and was promoted to Higher District Judge in 1996. He was elected Secretary of the Committee of the Union of Cyprus Judges and in 1997 was promoted to District Court President. He has also served as President of the Limassol Criminal Court, administrative President of the Larnaca and Famagusta District Courts and since March 2008 has been serving as President of the Nicosia and Kyrenia District Courts.
Clerides has published various articles in the local press and law periodicals, and has represented Cyprus at various international and European conferences.
He is married and has a son.
