{"id":146716,"date":"2026-08-04T11:17:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T11:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=146716"},"modified":"2026-08-04T11:17:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T11:17:23","slug":"greece-litigation","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/greece-litigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Greece: Litigation"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-146716","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-litigation","jurisdictions-greece"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Cremer &amp; Skoufari<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/08\/logo-cremer-skoufari.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Cremer &amp; Skoufari<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/08\/logo-cremer-skoufari.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Litigation laws and regulations applicable in Greece<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the main methods of resolving disputes in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The principal routes are court litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiated settlement. Civil and commercial litigation remains the default. It is governed by the Greek Code of Civil Procedure (GCCP) and is predominantly written: the parties must formulate the case and assemble the evidence early, and the court decides within a codified framework.<\/p>\n<p>Arbitration is well established for major commercial and cross-border disputes. Domestic arbitration remains regulated by Articles 867\u2013903 GCCP. International commercial arbitration seated in Greece is governed by Law 5016\/2023, which replaced Law 2735\/1999 and is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law, as amended in 2006. Parties commonly choose arbitration where confidentiality, specialist decision-makers, procedural flexibility or international enforceability are important.<\/p>\n<p>Mediation is governed principally by Law 4640\/2019. Settlement remains voluntary, although a mandatory initial mediation session applies to specified disputes. The practical choice should be made at the outset: litigation may be necessary for urgent asset preservation or coercive relief, while arbitration or mediation may better protect confidentiality and commercial relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the main procedural rules governing litigation in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The GCCP governs civil and commercial proceedings. The defining features are party control of the subject matter, strict procedural time limits, concentration of allegations and evidence, and a procedure in which written pleadings and documentary material carry considerably more weight than oral advocacy. The claimant must plead the material facts and relief with precision; the defendant must raise procedural objections and substantive defences in due time.<\/p>\n<p>The standard procedure was materially amended by Laws 5221\/2025, 5264\/2025 and 5282\/2026 for claims filed from 1 January 2026. The revised regime front-loads service, pleadings and evidence and introduces an early judicial order stage through which the assigned judge may identify formal or pleading defects, direct evidential steps or dispose of specified inadmissibility issues. Transitional rules matter: the applicable timetable depends on when the proceeding was commenced and on the procedural track. International parties should therefore obtain a case-specific timetable immediately after filing or service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the structure and organisation of local courts dealing with claims in your jurisdiction? What is the final court of appeal?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Following the judicial-map reform under Law 5108\/2024, ordinary civil jurisdiction at first instance is exercised by the Courts of First Instance through single-member or multi-member formations; the former Magistrates\u2019 Courts have been integrated into that structure. Allocation depends on the nature and, where relevant, the value of the claim. Athens and Piraeus also have specialist experience in commercial and maritime disputes, while labour, family and other matters follow special procedural rules or are assigned to specialist formations.<\/p>\n<p>Appeals are heard by the competent Court of Appeal, which may review fact and law within the grounds raised. The Areios Pagos is the supreme civil and criminal court. It hears cassation appeals on specified errors of law and does not conduct a general rehearing of the facts. Administrative disputes fall within a separate court system culminating in the Council of State.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How long does it typically take from commencing proceedings to get to trial in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>For standard-procedure claims filed from 1 January 2026, the statutory design is that a hearing date is allocated on filing and falls broadly within 200\u2013210 days. That is a procedural target, not a reliable prediction of the date on which a reasoned judgment will be available. Court workload, evidential orders, service abroad, adjournments and the complexity of the file can extend the timetable.<\/p>\n<p>In practice, urgent applications can be heard much sooner, while a fully contested commercial case may still take materially longer through judgment and appeal. A foreign client should distinguish four dates in its planning: filing, completion of service, closure of the written phase, and delivery of judgment. Enforcement planning and interim protection should not wait for the merits timetable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are hearings held in public and are documents filed at court available to the public in your jurisdiction? Are there any exceptions?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Hearings are public as a constitutional rule. The court may exclude the public where this is necessary to protect morals, public order, private or family life, minors or another interest recognised by law. Arbitration and mediation are not public in the same way.<\/p>\n<p>Court files are not open to unrestricted public inspection. Parties and their lawyers have access; a third party normally needs to establish a legitimate interest and comply with the applicable court procedure. Published judgments are often anonymised, but publication is not comprehensive and Greece has no equivalent of an open, searchable docket containing all pleadings and exhibits. Confidential material should therefore be managed carefully, but filing in court should never be assumed to guarantee absolute secrecy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, are the relevant limitation periods in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The general limitation period under Article 249 of the Greek Civil Code is 20 years, but many commercially important claims are subject to shorter periods. Article 250 provides five-year periods for specified categories, including commercial, as well as certain periodic and professional claims. Tort claims are generally barred five years after the injured party learned of the loss and the person liable, subject to the long-stop rules in Article 937. Special statutes may impose materially shorter prescription periods, including in transport, insurance, corporate, consumer and employment matters.<\/p>\n<p>Prescription is ordinarily a defence and is not applied by the civil court of its own motion. The calculation can be affected by accrual, suspension, interruption, acknowledgment, court action and service requirements. For an international client, limitation analysis should be treated as an immediate workstream; negotiations alone should not be assumed to preserve the claim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, are the pre-action conduct requirements in your jurisdiction and what, if any, are the consequences of non-compliance?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no general Greek equivalent of the English pre-action protocols. A demand letter is often commercially sensible and may be required by the contract or a special statute, but it is not a universal condition to commencing proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Law 4640\/2019 requires a mandatory initial mediation session for defined categories of civil and commercial disputes. The obligation is to attend the initial session, not to settle. Counsel must also comply with the statutory duty to inform the client about mediation. Under the post-1 January 2026 procedure, failure to file evidence of compliance may be treated as a formal deficiency capable of correction, but it can still cause cost, delay or admissibility risk. The payment-order procedure is not a pre-action requirement; it is an optional summary route for qualifying written monetary claims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are proceedings commenced in your jurisdiction? Is service necessary and, if so, is this done by the court (or its agent) or by the parties?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Proceedings are commenced by filing the claim with the competent court. Under the standard procedure applicable to claims filed from 1 January 2026, the claim is generally to be served within 30 days of filing. Service is arranged by the claimant, normally through a Greek court bailiff; it is not undertaken automatically by the court. Failure to serve within the applicable period may result in the claim being treated as not filed.<\/p>\n<p>Service abroad requires particular care. Within the EU, Regulation (EU) 2020\/1784 applies; outside the EU, the Hague Service Convention, a bilateral treaty or the GCCP may govern. Translation, the identity of the recipient and proof of service can become decisive. International claimants should settle service strategy before filing rather than use the domestic deadline as the starting point for investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How does the court determine whether it has jurisdiction over a claim in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The court considers subject-matter, functional and territorial jurisdiction. Domestic rules look principally to the nature and value of the dispute and to connecting factors such as the defendant\u2019s domicile, place of performance or place of the harmful event. Some heads of jurisdiction are exclusive.<\/p>\n<p>In cross-border civil and commercial matters, Regulation (EU) 1215\/2012 (Brussels I Recast) is usually the starting point, supplemented by conventions and national private-international-law rules where the Regulation does not apply. Jurisdiction agreements and arbitration clauses require separate analysis. Subject-matter and exclusive jurisdiction may be examined by the court of its own motion; an objection to non-exclusive territorial or international jurisdiction can be lost if the defendant enters an appearance without raising it in time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How does the court determine which law governs the claims in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>For contractual obligations, Greek courts principally apply Regulation (EC) 593\/2008 (Rome I); for non-contractual obligations, Regulation (EC) 864\/2007 (Rome II). Those Regulations recognise party autonomy within their scope, but preserve overriding mandatory rules, public policy and protections for consumers and employees. Other EU instruments or international conventions govern specialised subjects.<\/p>\n<p>Where no EU instrument or treaty applies, the court turns to the conflict-of-laws provisions of the Greek Civil Code and any relevant special statute. A governing-law clause should be checked separately from the dispute-resolution clause: choosing Greek courts does not, by itself, always amount to choosing Greek substantive law, and choosing foreign law does not displace Greek procedural law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In what circumstances, if any, can claims be disposed of without a full trial in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A qualifying monetary claim evidenced by documents may be pursued by payment order without a prior inter partes hearing. The debtor may challenge the order within the statutory period; the order is an enforceable title, although enforcement and any application for suspension must be considered separately.<\/p>\n<p>A case may also end through withdrawal, acknowledgment, judicial or out-of-court settlement, or a mediated settlement filed so as to become enforceable. Default does not produce an automatic judgment in the common-law sense: the court must still examine due service and the legal and evidential basis on which the procedural consequences of non-appearance follow. Under the 2026 standard procedure, the judge may also issue an early order identifying curable defects or indicating that the claim is inadmissible or deemed not filed, subject to the statutory response mechanism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, are the main types of interim remedies available in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Interim measures under Articles 682\u2013738 GCCP include conservatory attachment of assets, freezing or sequestration, injunctions to do or refrain from doing an act, preservation of evidence and provisional regulation of a situation. A separate provisional order may provide very short-term protection pending the hearing of the interim application.<\/p>\n<p>The applicant normally must show an urgent case or imminent danger and a prima facie substantive right. The court has flexibility to tailor relief and may require the main action to be commenced within a specified period. Ex parte protection is exceptional and must be justified by urgency. For cross-border cases, counsel should identify the assets, the territorial reach of the proposed order and the route for recognition or enforcement before applying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">After a claim has been commenced, what written documents must (or can) the parties submit in your jurisdiction? What is the usual timetable?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In the standard procedure for claims filed from 1 January 2026, the claim is generally served within 30 days after filing. Principal pleadings, the evidence relied on, powers of attorney and service reports are then filed within 90 days after expiry of the service period, extended to 120 days where the relevant party resides abroad or is of unknown residence. An addendum-rebuttal follows within 15 days. The court assigns the file to a judge, who may issue an order dealing with defects, evidence or case management before the scheduled hearing.<\/p>\n<p>These periods do not apply indiscriminately to every type of case. Special procedures, interim relief, appeals, enforcement objections and transitional cases have their own rules. New allegations and evidence after closure are tightly restricted. The practical discipline is to collect documents, witness statements, translations and authority documents at the outset, especially where the client and custodians are outside Greece.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, are the rules for disclosure of documents in your jurisdiction? Are there any exceptions (e.g. on grounds of privilege, confidentiality or public interest)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Greek civil procedure has no general discovery or disclosure exercise. Each party produces the documents on which it relies. A party may seek production of a sufficiently identified document held by the opponent or a third party where the substantive and procedural requirements are met, but broad category requests and fishing expeditions are not available.<\/p>\n<p>Production may be resisted on a lawful ground, including legal professional secrecy, a recognised duty of confidentiality, trade-secret protection, personal-data restrictions or a compelling public or private interest. Those protections are not necessarily absolute; the court may need to balance confidentiality against the right to evidence and can consider proportionate safeguards. International clients should preserve relevant material early, but should not expect common-law-style e-discovery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is witness evidence dealt with in your jurisdiction (and in particular, do witnesses give oral and\/or written evidence and what, if any, are the rules on cross-examination)? Are depositions permitted?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In standard civil proceedings, witness evidence is commonly introduced through sworn written statements obtained in accordance with statutory formalities and filed with the pleadings. The opposing party must be given the prescribed notice. The number and timing of statements are regulated, and non-compliant statements may be disregarded.<\/p>\n<p>The court may order the oral examination of a witness or party where it considers this necessary. Questioning is judge-led; counsel may put questions with the court\u2019s control, but there is no common-law deposition process or unrestricted cross-examination. A privately taken interview is useful for preparation but is not itself a deposition with procedural status. Witness selection and statement preparation should begin early because the written phase is front-loaded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is expert evidence permitted in your jurisdiction? If so, how is it dealt with (and in particular, are experts appointed by the court or the parties, and what duties do they owe)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. The court may appoint one or more experts where technical, scientific or specialist knowledge is required. Court-appointed experts must act independently, address the questions set by the court and may be challenged on recognised grounds. Their opinion assists but does not bind the judge.<\/p>\n<p>Parties also regularly submit reports from privately instructed technical advisers. Those reports form part of the evidential material and can be important in defining the issues or testing a court expert\u2019s analysis, but they do not have the same procedural status as a court appointment. In complex international disputes, the expert strategy should be integrated with the pleadings, translation plan and document record from the beginning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can final and interim decisions be appealed in your jurisdiction? If so, to which court(s) and within what timescale?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A final first-instance judgment is generally appealable to the competent Court of Appeal on grounds of fact and law. Where the judgment has been served, the ordinary appeal period is generally 30 days for a party resident in Greece and 60 days for a party resident abroad or of unknown residence. Different long-stop periods apply where the judgment is not served, and recent amendments and transitional rules must be checked for the particular judgment.<\/p>\n<p>A Court of Appeal judgment may be challenged before the Areios Pagos only on the statutory grounds of cassation. Procedural orders are generally not independently appealable unless the GCCP expressly provides otherwise; many can be challenged only with the final judgment. Decisions granting or refusing interim measures are, as a rule, not subject to ordinary appeal, although revocation or variation and exceptional remedies may be available. Each decision should be reviewed immediately because time limits are strict and service can start the clock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the rules governing enforcement of foreign judgments in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Judgments from EU Member States are recognised and enforced principally under Regulation (EU) 1215\/2012 without a separate declaration of enforceability. The enforcing party provides the judgment and the prescribed certificate, together with any translation required. Refusal is available only on the limited grounds in the Regulation. Special EU instruments apply to particular titles, and arbitral awards fall outside Brussels I Recast.<\/p>\n<p>For non-EU judgments, the first question is whether a bilateral or multilateral convention applies. Otherwise, recognition and enforceability are determined under the GCCP, including requirements concerning finality or enforceability, the foreign court\u2019s jurisdictional basis, due process, consistency with Greek judgments and Greek public policy. Enforcement then proceeds against assets in Greece under domestic enforcement law. A foreign judgment should be reviewed before assets are approached, as certification, service and translation defects can cause avoidable delay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can the costs of litigation (e.g. court costs, as well as the parties\u2019 costs of instructing lawyers, experts and other professionals) be recovered from the other side in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The general rule is that the unsuccessful party is ordered to pay recoverable costs, with apportionment where success is divided. Recoverable items may include court fees, bailiff and service costs, court-appointed expert expenses and an allowance for lawyers\u2019 fees.<\/p>\n<p>The award is usually calculated by reference to statutory rules and judicial assessment, not by indemnifying the successful party for its actual commercial spend. A successful litigant should therefore expect a significant shortfall, particularly in document-heavy or expert-led international cases. Conduct, partial success and the nature of the proceeding can affect the order. Costs exposure should be budgeted together with translation, service abroad, technical advisers and enforcement\u2014not merely the court fee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, are the collective redress (e.g. class action) mechanisms in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Greece does not have a general US-style class action. Collective redress is concentrated in consumer law. Law 5019\/2023 implemented Directive (EU) 2020\/1828 and permits qualified entities to bring representative actions for injunctive measures and, subject to the statutory framework, redress measures. Funding, conflicts and consumer participation are regulated within that regime.<\/p>\n<p>Law 2251\/1994 also provides collective consumer-protection mechanisms. Outside statutory representative actions, claimants may use ordinary joinder where the procedural connection requirements are satisfied, but each claimant\u2019s substantive right remains distinct. Before proposing a collective strategy, counsel should identify the remedy sought, the qualified entity (if any), limitation implications and how individual consumers become bound or benefit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, are the mechanisms for joining third parties to ongoing proceedings and\/or consolidating two sets of proceedings in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A third party claiming an independent right over the subject matter may bring a principal intervention; a person with a legal interest in one party succeeding may bring an ancillary intervention. An existing party may also serve a third-party notice where recourse or another legally relevant consequence may follow from the result. The form, filing and service deadlines are strict and were revised for proceedings under the 2026 standard procedure.<\/p>\n<p>Related claims may be joined if the statutory connection permits them to be heard together. The court may consolidate pending proceedings where this promotes procedural economy and does not impair fair disposal, or separate matters where joint treatment would cause difficulty or delay. Consolidation is procedural: it does not necessarily merge the parties\u2019 substantive claims or eliminate separate standing and proof requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are third parties allowed to fund litigation in your jurisdiction? If so, are there any restrictions on this and can third party funders be made liable for the costs incurred by the other side?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no comprehensive Greek statute regulating commercial third-party litigation funding, and the market remains limited. A funding agreement must be tested under general contract law, public policy and the professional rules governing lawyers; arrangements that improperly transfer control of the case or compromise counsel\u2019s independence would be vulnerable. Greek rules also regulate lawyers\u2019 success-fee arrangements separately.<\/p>\n<p>There is no general disclosure regime for funding in ordinary civil litigation and a non-party funder is not ordinarily within the scope of an adverse costs order simply because it financed the case. That conclusion should not be treated as absolute where the funder assumes another legal role or the arrangement is abusive. Representative consumer actions are subject to specific safeguards on funding, transparency, conflicts and the qualified entity\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the main advantage and the main disadvantage of litigating international commercial disputes in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The principal advantage is enforceability within the EU. A Greek judgment sits within the Brussels I Recast framework, while the codified procedural and conflict-of-laws rules give experienced counsel a reasonably predictable route through jurisdiction, applicable law and remedies. Greek courts also have substantial experience in shipping, construction, banking, energy and shareholder disputes.<\/p>\n<p>The principal disadvantage remains timing, coupled with a formal, front-loaded procedure. A case can be lost through defective service, an imprecise pleading or late evidence before the commercial merits are fully engaged. For an international client, the answer is disciplined preparation: secure Greek procedural advice early, map service and limitation, translate selectively but in time, identify assets, and decide at the outset whether interim relief or arbitration is the better route.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the most likely growth area for commercial disputes in your jurisdiction for the next 5 years?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Energy and infrastructure are likely to remain the leading source of complex disputes. Greece\u2019s continuing investment in renewables, storage, grids, transport, tourism infrastructure and public-private projects creates predictable pressure points: delay and disruption, price adjustment, performance guarantees, defects, permitting, grid access and curtailment, joint-venture deadlock and post-M&amp;A allocation of regulatory risk.<\/p>\n<p>Technology and data disputes will grow alongside that pipeline, particularly in cybersecurity, platform arrangements, AI deployment and regulatory compliance. The most demanding cases will often combine both fields\u2014for example, a digitally managed energy or infrastructure project involving technical evidence, public-law interfaces, financing and cross-border contracts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, will be the impact of technology on commercial litigation in your jurisdiction in the next 5 years?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The immediate impact will be operational. Electronic filing, digital case-management tools and remote access to parts of the court process should reduce administrative friction, although technology alone will not remove backlogs. For disputes filed under the new standard procedure from 2026, accurate deadline management and digital document preparation are already central to practice.<\/p>\n<p>The evidential impact will be greater. Commercial cases increasingly turn on email, messaging platforms, cloud records, cybersecurity logs, electronic signatures and algorithmic outputs. Lawyers will need defensible methods for preservation, authenticity, translation and presentation even though Greece has no broad discovery regime. AI will assist review and research, but confidentiality, professional secrecy, data protection, accuracy and human responsibility remain controlling. The firms that add most value will be those that combine technology with sound procedural judgment rather than treating it as a substitute for it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">3771<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/146716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}