Armenian Law Firms
Armen Baghdasaryan, the founder and executive director of “Armadel Consulting”law firm (attorney office) find positive the surge of law firms in Armenia. He believes it will contribute to the establishment of market relations. Eventually, there will be a qualitative shift.
Armen Baghdasaryan started his professional career in 1999 working in public and private sectors. Since 2008 he has been the head of the legal department of the Public TV company.
“Armadel Consulting” has been active since February, 2009…”
Prior to the opening of “Armadel Consulting” law firm we studied the experience of similar US companies –how they handle cases, court representation. They also have quite small law forms with 2-3 attorneys. Such firms make up 70-80 percent of all law forms. Such companies have a history of 100-120 years.
We value the attitude of people we work with. We have a gradation system for new employees – junior associate, senior associate. The minimal threshold for specialization is 8 years. If after that time the lawyers proves well, he may become a partner. Thus he becomes a shareholder and an equity partner. It encourages the person not to look for other jobs but stay and grow to become a partner.
“Armadel Consulting” law firm has been active since February 2009. In this period we have implemented court representation, corporate legal services, civic defense – labor issues, inheritance and other. Several advocates are specialized in administrative issues, I deal with criminal cases.
“We use a flexible billing system. We approach each client on the scale of complexity of given issues…”
Indeed, not many can use advocate’s services today, but we employ a flexible billing system. We approach each client on the scale of complexity of given issues. We try to solve issues without resorting to court, which is common for foreign countries. Court proceedings are long and costly. We had cases with alimony, where we didn’t think we would get by without going to court, but we managed to settle it. We prepare agreements, contracts and no problems here.
“It is quite problematic when opposing council in court is the son of the judge…”
It’s a new issues that children of judges tend to become lawyers and it is quite problematic when opposing council in court is the son of the judge. In such cases it is hard for our attorneys to fight on. I believe there is partiality in such cases. There is no easy way out here, since you can’t convince the child of a judge not to practice bar. Simply, everyone must realize they are responsible for their acts.
If we compare our judiciary to the American, we need to mention that Americans have so much trust in courts that nobody can assume any unjust decision there. There is so much responsibility with judges that no pulling strings is possible. In US 10 regular citizens attend court hearing and if even one disagrees to decision, it is discarded.
“Advocates simply want the court of cassation to bring reasons for rejecting an appeal…”
It was very good of advocate to organize the strike. The main thing is that there is an issues and it was raised. I think one shouldn’t dwell so much on formalities. The main message was against the court of cassation. Advocates simply want the court of cassation to bring reasons for rejecting an appeal. If a proxy approached to raise an issue, the advocate needs to know how the case will proceed.
“Imagine a proceeding lasting for years – it is a punishment for the person…“
Good judiciary reform was creation of administrative courts, establishing specialized judges. I believe the advocates strike will contribute to further reform the system. And from drawbacks I can mention the continued delays in hearings, overload situation of courts (although it cannot be grounds for delays), court sessions are appointed two-three months later. Imagine a person having an issues and the issue going on for years. According to German laws in case of such delays the person receives 100 Euros for each delayed day. If we did something like that, then Armenia would shortly go broke…
“The eye of law must always be awake to see everyone in equality…”
Since citizens’ legal awareness is low, many people think they are right in that issue. Sometimes people approach saying their neighbors had similar issue and solved it in such and such manner. In this case it is hard to explain what the result for that case will be.
I want the society to realize that all are equal before law and all will be punished equally. The eye of law must always be awake to see everyone in equality. This is the main concept of legal state.
Nune Hovsepyan
