Greece Process Service: Rules, Laws, and Court Procedures

Greece, a country with a rich history and a modern legal system, is located in southeastern Europe. Its legal system is based on civil law, with influences from German and French legal traditions. For legal professionals, businesses, and individuals who need to serve legal documents in Greece, it is essential to understand the country’s process service rules and laws. At Undisputed Legal, we have extensive expertise and experience in navigating Greece process service rules, regulations and providing reliable service of legal documents. This comprehensive guide will explore Greece process service rules, highlighting how our team can assist you with your Greece process service needs in this jurisdiction. Click here for information on How To Serve Legal Papers Internationally

Greece’s Legal System and Court Structure

A. Legal System: Greece’s legal system is based on civil law, with the Constitution of Greece serving as the supreme law of the land. The country’s legal framework is influenced by German and French legal traditions, as well as European Union law. Click here for information on the Code of Civil Procedure in Greece.

B. Court Structure:

1. District Civil Courts (Eirinodikeio)

• Handle civil cases with a value of up to €20,000
• Located in various municipalities throughout Greece

2. Single-Member First Instance Courts (Monomeles Protodikeio)

• Handle civil cases with a value between €20,000 and €250,000
• Serve as appellate courts for decisions made by District Civil Courts
• Located in each of Greece’s regions

3. Multi-Member First Instance Courts (Polymeles Protodikeio)

• Handle civil cases with a value exceeding €250,000
• Located in each of Greece’s regions

4. Single-Member and Three-Member Courts of Appeal (Efeteio)

• Serve as appellate courts for decisions made by First Instance Courts
• Located in Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major cities

5. Supreme Civil and Criminal Court (Areios Pagos)

• Highest court in Greece for civil and criminal matters
• Ensures the uniform application of law and serves as a court of last resort
• Located in Athens

6. Council of State (Symvoulio tis Epikrateias)

• Highest administrative court in Greece
• Handles cases related to administrative law and disputes with government agencies
• Located in Athens

Our team at Undisputed Legal has a thorough understanding of Greece’s court structure and can assist in determining the appropriate court for serving legal documents.

Service of Process in Greece

A. Service by Bailiff (Epídosi apó Dikastikó Epimelití): In Greece, service of process is primarily carried out by bailiffs (dikastikoi epimelites), who are judicial officers responsible for serving legal documents. The bailiff hand-delivers the documents to the recipient and prepares a certificate of service (épidosi) as proof of service. This method of service is the most common form of service in Greece for most civil and commercial cases. At Undisputed Legal, our team works closely with bailiffs to ensure that your legal documents are properly served in compliance with Greek laws.

B. Service by Registered Mail (Epídosi me Syntímenh Epistolí): In some cases, Greek law allows for service by registered mail with return receipt requested. The court sends the legal documents to the recipient’s registered address, and service is considered effective on the date the recipient signs the return receipt. Our team at Undisputed Legal can assist in ensuring that service by registered mail is carried out effectively and in accordance with Greek law.

C. Service by Publication (Epídosi me Dimosíefsi): When the defendant’s whereabouts are unknown, and other methods of service are not possible, Greek law allows for service by publication. This involves publishing a notice of the legal action in the Government Gazette (Efimerida tis Kyverniseos) and, in some cases, a local newspaper. Service by publication is considered a last resort and must be authorized by the court. We can assist in obtaining the necessary court authorization and ensuring that the publication process is carried out in accordance with Greek law.

D. Service Outside Greece: When a recipient is located outside Greece, service of process must be carried out in accordance with international laws and treaties. Greece is a signatory to the Hague Service Convention, which provides a framework for the transmission and execution of legal documents between member states. Our team at Undisputed Legal has extensive experience in serving legal documents internationally and can ensure that the process is carried out in compliance with the Hague Service Convention and other relevant international treaties.

Service of Process in Specific Cases

A. Service in Civil Cases: In civil cases, such as contract disputes or tort claims, service of process is typically carried out by bailiffs or, in some cases, by registered mail. The documents to be served may include the lawsuit (agogí), summons (klísi), and other relevant court documents. Our team at Undisputed Legal can assist in ensuring that all necessary documents are properly served in accordance with the Greek Code of Civil Procedure (Kódikos Politikís Dikonomías).

Real-World Example: In a breach of contract case involving a Greek company and a foreign investor, Undisputed Legal successfully coordinated the service of the lawsuit and summons on the Greek company’s registered address in Athens. Our team navigated the complexities of Greece’s process service rules and ensured that all documents were properly formatted and served in compliance with the law.

B. Service in Commercial Cases: In commercial cases, such as disputes between businesses, service of process is usually carried out by bailiffs or, in some cases, by registered mail. The documents to be served may include the lawsuit, summons, and other relevant court documents. We at Undisputed Legal can assist in serving legal documents related to commercial cases, ensuring compliance with the Greek Code of Civil Procedure and other applicable laws.

Real-World Example: In an international trademark infringement case involving a Greek company and a U.S. corporation, Undisputed Legal was retained to serve legal documents on the Greek company. Our team coordinated with local bailiffs to ensure that the company was properly served with the necessary documents, in accordance with the Greek Code of Civil Procedure and international treaties.

Proof of Service

After serving legal documents in Greece, it is crucial to obtain proof of service to demonstrate that the documents were properly delivered to the recipient. Proof of service may include:

1. An épidosi (certificate of service) prepared by the bailiff
2. A signed return receipt for service by registered mail
3. A copy of the publication notice for service by publication

Our team at Undisputed Legal ensures that proper proof of service is obtained and maintained for all legal documents served in Greece. We understand the significance of having reliable proof of service, as it is essential for establishing jurisdiction and ensuring the validity of legal proceedings.

Translations and Language Requirements

Greek is the official language of Greece, and legal documents are typically drafted and served in Greek. If the documents are not in Greek, a certified translation must be provided to ensure that the recipient understands the contents and that the court can properly consider the documents. Our team at Undisputed Legal can assist in arranging certified translations of your legal documents to facilitate the process service process and ensure compliance with Greek language requirements. Click here for information on How To Overcome Language Barriers in Process Service.

Conclusion

Navigating Greece’s process service rules and laws requires a deep understanding of the country’s legal system and practical experience in serving legal documents. At Undisputed Legal, our team of knowledgeable professionals has the expertise and skills necessary to assist legal professionals, businesses, and individuals with their process service needs in Greece.

By working with Undisputed Legal and following the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, those involved in serving legal documents in Greece can benefit from our proven track record of successfully serving process in the country. We stay up-to-date with any changes to Greece’s legislation and court rules related to process service to ensure compliance and minimize potential challenges.

When you choose Undisputed Legal for your process service needs in Greece, you can trust that your legal documents will be served with the utmost professionalism, efficiency, and expertise. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your process service requirements in Greece.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Greece Process Service
• Greece Code Of Civil Procedure
• How The Central Authority Works in Greece
• Greece Process Service: Rules, Laws, and Court Procedures
• Complete Breakdown Of The Hague Service Convention Articles
• Hague Service Convention: Streamlining International Legal Procedures
• How The Hague Convention Simplifies International Process Service
• Corporate Process Service: International Service of Process Guide
• How To Overcome Language Barriers in Process Service
• How To Navigate The Complexities of International Process Service
• How To Master International Process Service: Cross-Cultural Communication
• Understanding Alternate Methods of International Process Service
• International Service of Process: Expert Guide For Global Legal Success

FOR ASSISTANCE SERVING LEGAL PAPERS IN GREECE

Click the “Place Order” button at the top of this page or call us at (800) 774-6922 to begin. Our team of experienced process servers is prepared to assist with reliable and efficient service of legal documents, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. We offer both comprehensive support and à la carte services tailored to meet your corporate needs:

• Prompt and professional service of international legal documents
• Accurate completion and documentation of affidavits of service
• Rush service for time-sensitive international matters
• Skip tracing for hard-to-locate individuals or entities
• Detailed reporting on service attempts

Avoid delays or potential legal setbacks due to improper service. Trust Undisputed Legal’s skilled team to handle the critical task of international process service on your behalf. Our diligent, professional service supports attorneys, corporations, and business entities in ensuring that legal documents are served accurately and on time.

Take the first step toward reliable international process service – click “Place Order” or call (800) 774-6922 now. Let Undisputed Legal be your trusted partner in managing the vital process of serving international documents.

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives” – Foster, William A