Instituting a stricter licensing examination for law school graduates in order to practice law in the country as well as mandatory malpractice insurance are reportedly among the reforms eyed by the government for the legal profession in Greece.

The reforms, promoted by the education and justice ministries, come as licensed attorneys in Greece near the 50,000-mark, the second highest ratio in the EU – 449 lawyers for every 100,000 residents – after Cyprus, which fields an eyebrow-raising 550 lawyers for every 100,000 residents. By contrast, the average European ratio is 180 lawyers for every 100,000 residents.

The apparent “glut” in the number of lawyers in Greece translates into many of those professionals being under-employed and with low annual incomes.

According to a report in “To Vima”, the changes will affect all private legal professionals, which in Greece include notaries public and bailiffs. The latter two legal specialties in Greece have extensive duties in comparison to the Anglo-American common law system, for instance. In Greece, notaries public and law school graduates who draw up property transaction and possession contracts, along with wills and testaments, while the latter act more along the fashion of the French legal system’s “huissier de justice”.

Under the foreseen changes, the licensing examination – well-known in the US as the “bar exam” at the state’s level – will become stricter and more demanding, including both a written and verbal portion. The latter, in fact, before a panel of high-ranking jurists and law professors, will reportedly take place in public to insure objectivity.

Another change is that before taking the proposed Greek version of the “Bar exam”, candidates will have to first complete an internship at a law or notary’s office for a period of between 18 to 24 months.

In order to argue cases before appellate courts, a lawyer will have to have been licensed for four years, pass another nationwide exam and record more than 50 court appearances. Proof of exercising the legal profession, in lieu of court appearances, is envisioned for corporate lawyers and legal consultants.

Under the planned reforms, licensed attorneys will now have to carry malpractice insurance.