We were also talking about what the lawyers position was if he makes an ORFI contract for two people knowing that one of them is already married. Is he legally required in anyway to check the marital position of the man and woman. Is the lawyer breaking any laws or legal code within his own profession.

Penny

It is always safer that your lawyer - anywhere in the world - is referred to you by friends or relatives that you trust, that ideally have dealt with him/her.
The way it works in Egypt is by 'reputation' and that is how my family and friends hire a lawyer.

I know for a fact that some ES members here can assist you with a name or two. Give a chance for another few days... I will also ask in the meantime.

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Originally posted by Penny:
I would be interested to hear anyone’s experiences or opinions on Egyptian lawyers.
We were talking about this in another thread yesterday and I am now a little worried about my own lawyer who handles property matters for me because I know he also, as part of his business, makes ORFI marriage contracts. I have had no problem with him so far but the fact that you have to give them a power of attorney to act for you in the court now worries me.
Does anyone know in what way lawyers are regulated and are you able to make any checks on them with a society that monitors codes of conduct and maintains standards of working practices.

We were also talking about what the lawyers position was if he makes an ORFI contract for two people knowing that one of them is already married. Is he legally required in anyway to check the marital position of the man and woman. Is the lawyer breaking any laws or legal code within his own profession.

Penny

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The Orfi marriage is something someone does simply for physical pleasure. They don't want the rest of the world to know they are married, and at the same time do not want to anger god or society by sleeping together without being married.

I don't see how the Orfi marriage relates to the property case, except in that you are using that as a judge of his character. I would rate a lawyer drawing up Orfi contracts at the same level as those OB/GYN's who perform operations to restore a girls virginity. Both actions are not exactly illegal, but a lot of people would be pissed off if they found out.

From my experience, my family has been part of several property cases and trials, and in none of those instances did the lawyer need power of attorney. We did make all the court appearances though. Maybe he needs power of attorney if you don't want to show up in court.

Also I think I need to note that we have been using the term 'power of attorney' too loosely here. This term covers a broad range of powers, all of which may or may not be included in the power of attorney. For instance I know people who have a power of attorney that only allows them to purchase (not sell) on behalf of a person. It could be that the power of attorney you signed only allowed him to act as your representative in the said case.

See my story below.

>>as part of his business, makes ORFI marriage contracts.

I think that this is normal. And that it isn't the burden of proof of ORFI-giving lawyers to research the marital status of the persons signing the contract. That is my 'feeling' not a professional opinion.

>>I have had no problem with him so far but the fact that you have to give them a power of attorney to act for you in the court now worries me.

This worried me too - in fact, I was concerned that I never *signed* a power of attorney (such as I understood it) but that he simply 'had it' by virtue of the employent contract I signed.

>>Does anyone know in what way lawyers are regulated

Well, they are reguluated, presumably, under the Ministry of Justice.

Here is my story: I orfi married a guy. In the course of our relationship, he got money from me, that he was supposed to pay back (detailed omitted for legal reasons). I found he had married another woman, unbeknownst to me. I knew a guy in the Office of the Court of Hurghada, who helped me to: 1) Find a reputable lawyer and 2) Take him to court. I won. I even got a legal judgement against him (my lawyer is very powerful).

Problem was that the guy I knew who worked in the court, he started trying to pull crap on me. First he told me my lawyer wanted more money - and I didnt give it at first. Then I gave him a little. Then he told me that a deposit was needed with the court to have my husbands case finish - Id get the money back. I didnt have time to check on it, and I gave it to him. Then he said that someone was blackmailing him at work, because of my case, and he was going to lose his job. He claimed that my lawyer was involved in the blackmail.

At this point, I still believed him - things like that happen in Egypt. I work with governments, and I was considering writing the Ministry about this.

I had been going through my "friend" in the court, because my lawyer's english wasn't good.

Then I finally called the lawyer, and spoke to him. It turns out that none of the money I gave my "friend" ever went to him. My "friend" had collected about 500 dollars himself.

So I asked "friend" for the money back - and he (who is also a lawyer, but working for the City Court) sneered "no one will believe you or help you" and "you need me to get the money from your husband".

Fortunatly, the lawyer he referred me to was honest (!) and offered to help me, but said I had to fly down there.

Not wanting to waste time and money doing that, I sent evidence of the "theft" (or fraud) of the "friend" to the Office of the Ministry of Justice.

The "friend" was suddenly being told he was going to prison, and losing his job.

"Friend"'s family paid me back the 500 dollars he owed me.

My lawyer sent it back to me, via western union. Actually, it had to go through my Egyptian girlfriend, in Cairo, since Western Unions in the small Red Sea cities don't send money.

So in the middle of all the scammers, I found really good people.

I still expect money back from my ex-husband. If he doesnt send it, he is going to prison. My lawyer is working with him.

If anyone needs a lawyer in Hurghada, I know the name of a good one. Just write me at: tenderheart@loveable.com

Thank you so much for posting your experience. It is good to know there are good honest people out there you can trust, and also that the law does work to protect you.
Several things happened this week that also showed me I can trust my lawyer and I am more than happy with him now that he is working in my best interests. It gets hard sometimes when you are not sure if you can trust your own judgement of people.

Thanks again and I am so glad for you that you got justice in the end. It must have been a very hard time for you

All the best Penny

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Originally posted by Penny:
Thank you Saladin. I will do as you advise.
Hope to sleep a bit better tonight now!

Thanks Penny

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