GREECE Law and Practice Contributed by: John Kyriakides, Vicky Kriketou, Angeliki Stryftou and Konstantinos Lygkonis, Kyriakides Georgopoulos Law Firm
claim arises and expires at the end of the applicable term. Certain claims, such as commercial disputes, sales of goods, or lease agreements, follow a five-year limita- tion measured from the end of the year in which the claim arose. The limitation period may be suspend- ed or interrupted in specific circumstances, includ- ing ongoing negotiations, mediation proceedings, or statutory moratoria. Courts may also grant interim or provisional measures to protect rights during the limi- tation period, even before formal litigation or arbitra- tion has commenced. 3.3 Jurisdictional Requirements for a Defendant In Greece, civil courts exercise jurisdiction based on both subject-matter and territorial criteria, with the defendant’s domicile serving as the primary determi- nant. Subject-matter jurisdiction defines the type of court competent to hear a particular category of cas- es, while territorial jurisdiction determines which spe- cific court may adjudicate a claim, considering factors such as the location of the defendant, the place of a tortious act, contract performance, or real property. Some bases of jurisdiction are exclusive, requiring cases to be filed in a specific court, while others allow the plaintiff to choose among several courts. Specialised courts handle matters such as commer- cial, maritime, family, or property disputes. Foreign defendants may be subject to Greek jurisdiction when obligations arise in Greece, the defendant consents, or relevant assets or business activities exist, with service abroad governed by international conven- tions. Appeals are heard by the courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court reviews legal issues on cassation without re-examining facts. 3.4 Initial Complaint In Greece, civil proceedings begin with the filing of a written complaint before the competent court, identi- fying the parties, the facts, and the relief sought. While stating the legal basis is standard practice, it is not required. A copy of the complaint is served on the defendant, and, after completing pre-action require- ments, including mandatory mediation, the court sets
deadlines for written pleadings and supporting docu- ments or schedules a hearing. Amendments to the complaint are generally limited to minor corrections or clarifications; new facts or claims are typically not allowed. The court decides whether proposed changes are procedural or substantive, and the plaintiff may also narrow the relief sought or request a declaratory judgment in writing or orally In Greece, service of process is primarily the responsi- bility of the plaintiff and is usually carried out through a court bailiff. • The plaintiff must ensure that the complaint and all accompanying documents are served on the defendant within strict deadlines, 30 days for domestic defendants and 60 days for foreign defendants or those of unknown residence. • Proof of service is then filed with the court, and becomes part of the case file. Personal delivery is the standard method, although, when this is impractical, service may be effected via a family member or at the defendant’s workplace. Timely service is critical, as a claim is generally considered never filed if service is not completed within the prescribed period. • For defendants abroad, service is executed through the relevant Public Prosecutor, with docu- ments officially translated as required. before the first hearing. 3.5 Rules of Service Greek courts may exercise jurisdiction over foreign defendants when obligations arise in Greece, the defendant consents, or other jurisdictional grounds apply. In ordinary proceedings, service deadlines are 30 days for domestic defendants and 60 days for for- eign or unknown-residence defendants; in other pro- ceedings, service must be completed 30 or 60 days before the hearing, depending on the defendant’s residence. 3.6 Failure to Respond In Greece, if a defendant does not respond to a civil lawsuit, the case may proceed by default (ex parte). The defendant must file a defence within the deadlines set by the Greek Code of Civil Procedure. If they fail to
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