Chris Christofi in Parliament…

…well, 1 Parliament Street actually. Chris Christofi was in Westminster  on 15 May meeting among others David Lidington Minister for Europe, the British High Commissioner in Cyprus, Mathew Kidd  and Bill Cash MP , the founder of the rather cumbersome sounding  All Party Parliamentary Group for the Defence of the Interests of British Property Owners in Cyprus.

The meeting was intended to facilitate an exchange of views.  All of the politicians present, even those dropping in to hear the proceedings, showed a good grasp of what was going on in Cyprus.  From David Liddington there was a genuine  expression of sympathy for Cyprus’s current problems, and an acknowledgement that perhaps Cyprus is often saddled with expectation much greater than its relative size. There was  some bemusement as to why Cyprus had not adopted the UK buying and land registry process “lock stock and barrel “.

The proceedings were dominated by  lawyers who seemed to be keen to demonstrate to those present  and who would listen how they had helped many thousands of people.

Unfortunately there was no offer of financial assistance as had been touted by some,  legal or by way of rescue loan, and there was a recognition that these matters were not in the main “collective” or “class style” actions and that each individual had to advance their  own claims.

One of the problems for people advancing claims in the UK was that  jurisdiction issues alone will not be dealt with until late 2014 after which some  people who contracted mainly in the UK will find out whether their claims can proceed in the UK.