The decision on the application to cancel a search warrant issued for the home and office of lawyer Nikos Clerides was reserved by the Supreme Court on Thursday, following initial legal arguments by the defence.

Proceedings before judge Elena Ephraim focused on the scope and legality of the warrant, with the defence seeking its annulment and raising issues relating to the handling of evidence and the safeguards applied during its execution.

Former bar association head Christos Clerides, representing Nikos Clerides, said after the hearing that “the first stage of the procedure has been completed” and that the court’s ruling is now awaited.

He added that, should the decision be favourable, a further application would be submitted to the legal service, which would then consider whether to file an objection.

“We are now awaiting the court’s decision. If it is positive, then we will proceed to the next stage,” he said.

During the hearing, the defence argued that the case raises significant questions concerning personal data protection and legal privilege, given that the warrant relates to a practising lawyer.

Christos Clerides described the matter as “very important”, stating that such cases require the appointment of an independent supervisor from the bar association to oversee the execution of the warrant.

He argued that no such oversight was in place, questioning whether sufficient safeguards existed to protect confidential material.

Referring to the seizure of laptops, mobile phones and USB files, he said this constituted “a serious interference with protected data” and asked “who ensures that the police will respect these limits”.

The defence also raised concerns regarding the status of Nikos Clerides within the investigation.

It was argued that the affidavit supporting the warrant “does not clearly indicate that the lawyer involved is considered a suspect”, pointing instead to ambiguity about his role.

According to the defence, this position was reflected in testimony presented during proceedings, while the court appeared to link him to the offences under investigation.

Further submissions questioned the necessity and proportionality of the warrant, as well as whether sufficient evidence had been presented to connect the premises to specific alleged offences.

The defence maintained that the application establishes a prima facie case for review.

The case stems from an ongoing investigation in which authorities executed a search warrant at Clerides’ premises, as part of inquiries linked to allegations to high-profile people made by journalist Makarios Drousiotis.