Preface to the Second Edition..............................................................................................    VII

Preface to the First Edition........................................................................................................ IX

Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................. XI

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. General Background.............................................................................................. 3

§1.. Political System...................................................................................................................... 3

§2.. Legal System.......................................................................................................................... 6

I....... Historical Evolution.................................................................................................... 6

II...... Classification............................................................................................................. 12

III.... Legal Sources............................................................................................................. 13

IV.... Distinctions and Basic Elements............................................................................ 14

Chapter 2. Delimitation of the Subject Matter................................................................... 23

§1.. Definition of the Term «Civil Procedure»....................................................................... 23

§2.. Distinction from other Types of Procedure - Separate Systems of Courts and Rules of Procedure                            27

Chapter 3. Sources of Civil Procedural Law..................................................................... 31

§1.. A Brief Historical Perspective........................................................................................... 31

I....... General Remarks....................................................................................................... 31

II...... Ancient Greek Law................................................................................................... 31

III.... Period of the Turkish Domination.......................................................................... 32

IV.... Period of the War of Independence....................................................................... 33

V...... Period of the Codes of 1835................................................................................... 34

§2.. Contemporary Sources of Civil Procedural Law........................................................... 37

I....... The Constitution of 1975........................................................................................ 37

II...... The Code of Civil Procedure of 1967/1971 - Subsequent Modifications               38

III.... The Code on the Organization of the Courts of 1988........................................ 44

IV.... Special Laws.............................................................................................................. 45

V...... International Conventions...................................................................................... 46

VI.... Customary Law......................................................................................................... 51

VII... Judicial Precedents.................................................................................................... 52

VII... Legal Doctrine............................................................................................................ 52

Chapter 4. General Features of the Administration of Justice in Civil Matters............    53

§1.. Characteristics of the Procedure....................................................................................... 53

I....... General Remarks....................................................................................................... 53

II...... The Principle of Free Disposition of the Parties................................................... 54

III.... The Principle of Party Presentation........................................................................ 55

IV.... The Principle of Parties’ Motion............................................................................. 58

V...... The Principle of Concentration............................................................................... 59

VI.... Oral and Written Procedure..................................................................................... 61

VII... Role of the Judge....................................................................................................... 63

§2.. Fundamental Guarantees.................................................................................................. 67

I....... General Remarks - The Convention of Rome for the Protection of Human Rights                             67

II...... Establishment of Courts by Law............................................................................ 68

III.... Independence and Impartiality of the Judiciary................................................. 70

IV.... Review of Unconstitutional Ordinary Legislation............................................... 73

V...... Access to Justice........................................................................................................ 78

VI.... Right of Defence....................................................................................................... 81

VII... Equality of the Parties.............................................................................................. 84

VIII. Publicity...................................................................................................................... 85

IX.... Reasoning of Judicial Decisions............................................................................. 88

Selected Bibliography in Greek............................................................................................. 91

I....... Books.......................................................................................................................... 91

1... Under the Previous Code of Civil Procedure (1835-1968).......................... 91

a.. General Manuals and Treatises................................................................... 91

b.. Commentaries by Article.............................................................................. 92

c.. Special Manuals and Treatises.................................................................... 92

d.. Collections of Studies Related to Civil Procedure.................................... 92

e.. Monographs.................................................................................................... 92

2... Under the Code of Civil Procedure of 1967/1971........................................ 92

a.. General Manuals and Treatises................................................................... 92

b.. Commentaries by Article.............................................................................. 94

c.. Special Manuals and Treatises.................................................................... 95

d.. Commentaries of Special Parts of the Code............................................. 97

e.. Collections of Studies Related to Civil Procedure.................................... 98

f.. Monographs.................................................................................................... 99

II...... Materials for the Code of Civil Procedure of 1967............................................ 99

III.... Periodicals................................................................................................................... 99

Bibliography in Languages Other than the Greek......................................................... 101

I....... Books or General Works........................................................................................ 101

II...... Monographs related to Civil Procedure.............................................................. 104

III.... Special Essays, Articles, Reports.......................................................................... 104

IV.... Translations of Legislative Texts......................................................................... 104

IV.... Periodicals................................................................................................................ 105

PART I. JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION

Chapter l. The Courts and Their Members...................................................................... 109

§1.. Courts.................................................................................................................................. 109

I....... Structure of the Court System.............................................................................. 109

II...... Administration of the Courts................................................................................ 110

1... Historical Overview.......................................................................................... 110

2... Separation of the Three Jurisdictions............................................................ 113

3... Ordinary Courts of First Instance.................................................................. 113

4... The Special Court of «Moufti»...................................................................... 115

5... The Courts of Appeal...................................................................................... 116

6... The Court of Areios Pagos.............................................................................. 117

7... The Special Highest Court.............................................................................. 119

8... The Limited Role of Lay Participants.......................................................... 121

III.... The Role of Public Prosecutors in Civil Proceedings......................................... 122

IV.... Appointment of Judges and of Public Prosecutors........................................... 125

§2.. Members of the Judiciary................................................................................................ 127

I....... Incompatibilities..................................................................................................... 127

II...... End of Functions..................................................................................................... 128

III.... Discipline.................................................................................................................. 129

1... The Historical Background............................................................................. 129

2... Disciplinary Responsibility under the Constitution of 1975..................... 130

Chapter 2. The Bar................................................................................................................. 133

§1.. Exercise of the Legal Profession.................................................................................... 133

I....... Conditions for Admission...................................................................................... 133

II...... Rights and Duties.................................................................................................... 135

III.... Discipline.................................................................................................................. 137

§2.. Organisations of Lawyers................................................................................................ 139

Chapter 3. The Bailiffs.......................................................................................................... 141

§1.. Exercise of the Profession............................................................................................... 141

§2.. Public Institutions of Bailiffs.......................................................................................... 143

PART II. JURISDICTION

Chapter 1. Internal Jurisdiction.......................................................................................... 147

§1.. Jurisdiction of Civil Courts.............................................................................................. 147

I....... Definition of Jurisdiction - Distinction of Jurisdictional Branches................. 147

II...... Criteria for Distinguishing Jurisdiction of Civil and of Administrative Courts       147

III.... Voluntary Jurisdiction of Civil Courts................................................................. 150

IV.... Lack of Jurisdiction of Civil Courts..................................................................... 151

§2.. Subject Matter Competence of Civil Courts............................................................... 152

I....... Factors to be Taken into Account....................................................................... 152

1... Definition of Subject Matter Competence.................................................. 152

2... Role of the Value of the Claim...................................................................... 153

3... Role of the Nature of the Claim.................................................................... 153

II...... Determination of the Value of the Claim - Main Claims and Ancillary Claims    154

III.... Overview of the Subject Matter Competence of the Different Courts......... 155

1... Subject Matter Competence of the Justices of the Peace......................... 155

2... Subject Matter Competence of the One-Member District Courts........... 158

3... Subject Matter Competence of the Three-Member District Courts........ 161

4... Subject Matter Competence of the Courts of Appeal............................... 161

5... Subject Matter Competence of Areios Pagos............................................. 163

§3.. Territorial Competence.................................................................................................... 164

I....... Factors to Be Taken into Account....................................................................... 164

1... Definition and Distinctions of Territorial Competence.............................. 164

2... Relevant Connecting Factors and the Conflicting Interests Served........ 166

II...... Overview of the Different Rules........................................................................... 166

1... General Territorial Competence..................................................................... 166

a.. Domicile as a Principal Connecting Factor............................................. 166

b.. Rules Founding General Jurisdiction........................................................ 168

c.. Actions Against the State........................................................................... 170

d.. Actions Against Legal Entities................................................................... 170

2... Jurisdictions Concurrent to the General Territorial Competence............. 171

a.. The Forum Involving Juridical Acts......................................................... 171

b.. The Forum for Tort Disputes..................................................................... 172

c.. The Forum Related to the Management of Property Other than Under a Court Order                            174

d.. The Forum Involving the Joinder of Defendants.................................. 174

e.. The Forum Related to Actions Involving Multiple Immovables........ 176

f.. The Forum for Matrimonial Disputes...................................................... 177

g.. The Forum based on Property................................................................... 177

3... Exclusive Jurisdictions..................................................................................... 178

a.. The Exclusive Forum for Company Disputes........................................ 178

b.. The Exclusive Forum Related to the Management of Property When This Is Based on a Judicial Order........................................................................................................................ 179

c.. The Exclusive Forum in Actions Involving Real Rights on Immovable Property                     180

d.. The Exclusive Forum Concerning Succession........................................ 181

e.. The Exclusive Forum for Related Claims............................................... 183

f.. The Exclusive Forum for Cross Actions.................................................. 184

g.. The Exclusive Forum for Litigation Involving Enforcement Proceedings                   185

III.... Prorogation of Territorial Competence............................................................... 185

1... General Remarks.............................................................................................. 185

2... Explicit Agreements......................................................................................... 186

3... Tacit Agreements.............................................................................................. 187

§4.. Resolution of Jurisdiction Conflicts............................................................................... 188

I....... Affirmative Conflicts............................................................................................. 188

II...... Negative Conflicts.................................................................................................. 188

III.... Effects of the Ruling.............................................................................................. 189

IV.... Relevant Moment for the Existence of Jurisdiction......................................... 189

§5.. Review of Subject Matter and of Territorial Competence........................................ 190

I....... Relevant Moment for the Existence of Facts Basing Competence.............. 190

II...... Lack of Competence............................................................................................. 190

Chapter 2. International Jurisdiction................................................................................ 193

§1.. Rules Applicable in the Absence of a Treaty............................................................... 193

I....... The Historical Background................................................................................... 193

1... Nationality as a Main Connecting Factor Under the Code of Civil Procedure of 1835                193

2... Modification of the Critical Factor of Nationality in 1946..................... 194

II...... International Jurisdiction According to the Present Code of Civil Procedure         196

1... Territorial Competence as a Main Connecting Factor.............................. 196

2... Role of Nationality in Exceptional Cases.................................................... 198

3... International Jurisdiction Based on Public Policy...................................... 199

4... International Jurisdiction with Regard to Matters of Voluntary Jurisdiction   199

III.... The Impact of Private Agreements on International Jurisdiction.................. 200

1... Prorogation of the International Jurisdiction of Greek Courts................. 200

a.. The Permissibility of Private Agreements................................................ 200

b.. Explicit Agreements.................................................................................... 201

c.. Tacit Agreements......................................................................................... 201

2... Derogation of Greek Adjudicatory Power.................................................... 201

IV.... Review of International Jurisdiction................................................................... 203

§2.. International Treaties....................................................................................................... 204

I....... Multilateral Conventions....................................................................................... 204

1... The European Community Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgements in Civil and Commercial Matters........................................................................................ 204

2... Other Multilateral Conventions..................................................................... 207

3... Conventions Related to Extraterritoriality................................................... 208

II...... Bilateral Conventions............................................................................................ 209

1... The Irrelevancy of Assimilation Clauses in Bilateral Conventions......... 209

2... Specific Rules in Bilateral Conventions for Jurisdiction in Succession Matters                              209

3... Specific Rules for Maintenance Claims and Matters Involving Personal Status                            210

PART III. ACTIONS AND CLAIMS

Chapter 1. Actions................................................................................................................... 213

§1.. Definitions - Types of Actions - Joinder........................................................................ 213

I....... Definitions................................................................................................................ 213

1... The Action as a Procedural Act..................................................................... 213

2... The Action as a Procedural Document......................................................... 214

a.. Contents of the Complaint........................................................................ 214

b.. Sanctions....................................................................................................... 215

II...... Types of Actions..................................................................................................... 216

1... Criteria of Classification................................................................................. 216

2... Actions for Specific Performance.................................................................. 217

3... Declaratory Actions......................................................................................... 217

4... Constitutive Actions......................................................................................... 219

III.... Joinder....................................................................................................................... 220

1... Joinder of Parties.............................................................................................. 220

a.. Permissive Joinder....................................................................................... 220

b.. Necessary Joinder........................................................................................ 221

2... Joinder of Claims.............................................................................................. 223

a.. General Features.......................................................................................... 223

b.. Subsidiary Joinder.....................................................................................   224

§2.. Admissibility...................................................................................................................... 225

I....... The Function of Procedural Prerequisites........................................................... 225

II...... Capacity to Be a Party.......................................................................................... 226

III.... Capacity to Conduct Proceedings in One’s Own Name.................................. 227

IV.... Representation by Attorney.................................................................................. 228

V...... Standing to Sue....................................................................................................... 229

VI.... Legal Interest........................................................................................................... 232

§3.. Prohibition of Abuse of Procedural Rights - Vexatious Litigation........................... 233

Chapter 2. The Defendant’s Answer and Defences......................................................... 237

§1.. General Aspects................................................................................................................. 237

§2.. Defendant’s Answer on the Action................................................................................ 237

§3.. Exceptions.......................................................................................................................... 239

I....... Definition.................................................................................................................. 239

II...... Distinctions............................................................................................................... 240

III.... Rules Governing Exceptions................................................................................. 241

§4.. Cross Actions..................................................................................................................... 242

Chapter 3. Sanctions on Procedural Irregularities........................................................ 245

§1.. Aspects of Procedural Irregularities............................................................................... 245

I....... Definitions................................................................................................................ 245

II...... The Non-Existent Judicial Decisions................................................................... 246

III.... Procedural Nullities................................................................................................. 246

1... Distinction Among Substantial and Procedural Nullities........................... 246

2... Types and Conditions of Procedural Nullities............................................. 247

§2.. Time Limitations............................................................................................................... 248

PART IV. PROCEEDINGS

Chapter 1. Pre-trial Proceedings........................................................................................ 251

§1.. Provisional Remedies....................................................................................................... 251

§2.. Pre-trial Settlements of the Parties................................................................................. 252

I....... Extrajudicial Settlements...................................................................................... 252

ΙΙ...... Pre-trial Conciliations............................................................................................. 252

IΙI.... Mandatory or Optional Attempt at Conciliation?............................................ 254

IV.... Practical Relevance................................................................................................ 254

§3.. Preliminary Administrative Procedure in Real Actions Against the State.............. 256

Chapter 2. Proceedings in First Instance.......................................................................... 257

§1.. Adversary Proceedings..................................................................................................... 257

I....... Ordinary Proceedings............................................................................................. 257

1... Introduction of the Action.............................................................................. 257

a.. Method of Initiating the Action................................................................ 257

b.. Modes of Service of the Complaint......................................................... 259

c.. Time limits.................................................................................................... 261

2... Effects of the Initiation of an Action........................................................... 262

a.. Procedural Effects - Lis Pendens.............................................................. 262

b.. Substantial Effects...................................................................................... 264

3... Progress of Proceedings................................................................................... 264

a.. Preparatory Measures - Written Pleadings - Production of Documents       264

b.. The Trial........................................................................................................ 268

4... Third Party Proceedings................................................................................... 272

a.. Basic Distinctions........................................................................................ 272

b.. Principal Intervention........................................................................... ..... 273

c.. Accessory Interventions............................................................................. 273

d.. Impleader...................................................................................................... 276

e.. Third Party Notice....................................................................................... 279

5... Judgement.......................................................................................................... 280

a.. Deliberation.................................................................................................. 280

b.. Different Sorts of Judgement.................................................................... 281

c.. Formal Aspects............................................................................................ 282

d.. Notice and Service....................................................................................... 282

e.. Effects of Judgements - Res Judicata...................................................... 283

f.. Distinctions of Res Judicata...................................................................... 283

g.. The Function of Res Judicata................................................................... 285

h.. Object and Objective Limits of Res Judicata......................................... 286

j... Subjective Limits of Res Judicata............................................................ 288

k.. Collateral Estoppel...................................................................................... 290

l... Reformation Action................................................................................... 290

m. Interpretation and Rectification of Judgements.................................... 291

II...... Proceedings for Provisional Remedies................................................................ 291

1... Introductory Remarks..................................................................................... 291

2... General Prerequisites........................................................................................ 295

a.. Substantive Conditions.............................................................................. 295

b.. Procedural Prerequisites - Subject Matter and Territorial Competence       296

c.. International Jurisdiction........................................................................... 297

3... Procedure for Granting Provisional Remedies............................................. 298

a.. Commencement of Proceedings............................................................... 298

b.. Main Hearing............................................................................................... 298

c.. Decision on the Application....................................................................... 299

d.. The Provisional Res Judicata.................................................................... 301

e.. Non-Availability of Methods of Review................................................. 301

f.. Enforcement................................................................................................. 302

4... Revocation of Provisional Remedies............................................................ 302

a.. Mandatory Revocation.............................................................................. 302

b.. Revocation at the Discretionary Power of the Judge............................ 303

5... Provisional Orders............................................................................................. 304

§2.. Default Proceedings.......................................................................................................... 305

I....... General Conditions................................................................................................. 305

II...... The Defendant’s and the Plaintiff’s Default at the First Hearing.................. 307

III.... Absence of the Parties at Later Hearings........................................................... 308

§3.. Ex parte Proceedings....................................................................................................... 309

I....... Voluntary Jurisdiction............................................................................................ 309

II...... Orders of Payment and Provisional Remedies.................................................. 309

Chapter 3. Review Proceedings........................................................................................... 311

§1.. Introductory Remarks..................................................................................................... 311

I....... Definition and Distinctions.................................................................................... 311

II...... General Rules........................................................................................................... 312

III.... Initiation................................................................................................................... 313

IV.... Admissibility............................................................................................................ 314

§2.. Opposition Against Default............................................................................................. 316

I....... General Aspects - The Abandonment of the Institution of «Unjustified» Opposition                          316

II...... Requirements and Effects..................................................................................... 319

§3.. Appeal................................................................................................................................. 320

I....... General Aspects....................................................................................................... 320

II...... Conditions to Admissibility................................................................................... 321

1... Appealability..................................................................................................... 321

2... Appeal Period.................................................................................................... 322

III.... The Grounds of Appeal......................................................................................... 323

IV.... Effects....................................................................................................................... 324

V...... Proceeding................................................................................................................ 326

§4.. Cassation..........................................................................................................................   328

I....... General Aspects....................................................................................................... 328

II...... Conditions................................................................................................................ 331

1... Decisions which are Subject to a Cassation................................................ 331

2... Time Period........................................................................................................ 331

3... Grounds for Cassation..................................................................................... 332

III.... Proceeding................................................................................................................ 337

IV.... Cassation in «the Interest of the Law»............................................................... 339

§5.. Reopening of Judgements............................................................................................... 341

I....... General Aspects....................................................................................................... 341

II...... Conditions................................................................................................................ 342

1... Decisions which are Subject to a Reopening............................................... 342

2... Time Period........................................................................................................ 342

3... Grounds for Reopening................................................................................... 342

III.... Proceeding................................................................................................................ 345

§6.. General Opposition and Third Party Opposition......................................................... 346

I....... General Opposition................................................................................................. 346

II...... Third Party Opposition (Tierce - Opposition)..................................................... 347

1... General Features............................................................................................... 347

2... Requirements.................................................................................................... 348

3... Proceeding.......................................................................................................... 349

4... Effects................................................................................................................ 350

Chapter 4. Incidents................................................................................................................ 351

§1.. Decision on Incidental Matters...................................................................................... 351

I....... Definition and Distinctions - Procedural Treatment......................................... 351

II...... Incidental Actions................................................................................................... 353

§2.. Withdrawal and Discontinuance of Action.................................................................. 355

I....... The Structure of the Code with Regard to the Subject.................................... 355

1... Possibilities on Terminating the Proceedings on Parties’ Volition............ 355

2... Revocation of Other Procedural Acts........................................................... 356

II...... Abandonment or Withdrawal of Action............................................................. 356

1... Substantial and Formal Requirements......................................................... 356

a.. Withdrawal of an Action by the Plaintiff not Including Abandonment of the Substantial Claim         ........................................................................................................... 356

b.. Abandonment of an Action by the Plaintiff Also Including the Substantial Claim                  357

c.. The Necessity for Formality in the Termination of Proceedings Through a Plaintiff’s Act                      357

2... Consequences................................................................................................... 358

a.. Withdrawal of an Action Not Including the Substantial Claim.......... 358

b.. Abandonment of an Action Also Including the Substantial Claim              359

III.... Admission................................................................................................................. 359

IV.... Conciliation.............................................................................................................. 360

1... Distinctions........................................................................................................ 360

2... Legal Nature...................................................................................................... 360

3... Formal and Substantial Requirements......................................................... 361

4... Consequences................................................................................................... 362

§3.. Challenge of Judges.......................................................................................................... 363

I....... Disqualification of a Judge in General................................................................ 363

II...... Disqualification of a Judge on the Challenge of a Party................................. 364

Chapter 5. Legal Aid.............................................................................................................. 365

Chapter 6. Legal Costs........................................................................................................... 369

I....... General Aspects....................................................................................................... 369

II...... Applications of and Deviations from the «Defeat Principle»......................... 370

PART V. EVIDENCE

Chapter 1. Burden of Proof.................................................................................................. 375

§1.. The Allocation of the Burden of Proof......................................................................... 375

I....... General Aspects....................................................................................................... 375

1... The Subject Matter of Evidentiary Proceedings......................................... 375

2... «Subjective» and «Objective» Burden of Proof.......................................... 377

3... Significance of the Rules Governing the Burden of Proof........................ 377

4... The Burden of Alleging the Relevant Facts................................................. 378

II...... Rules Regarding the Allocation of the Burden of Proof.................................. 378

1... The General Rule.............................................................................................. 378

2... Doctrinal Distinctions of Substantive Rules with Regard to the Allocation of the Burden of Proof           ................................................................................................................ 379

3... Difficulties in the Application of the General Principles............................ 380

III.... Characterization of Rules Related to the Allocation of the Burden of Proof        381

IV.... The Right to Counterproof.................................................................................... 381

§2.. Relationship Between Legal Presumptions and the Burden of Proof..................... 383

Chapter 2. Admissibility of Evidence................................................................................ 385

§1.. Introductory Remarks..................................................................................................... 385

I....... General Features of the Law of Evidence.......................................................... 385

II...... Types of Evidence.................................................................................................. 386

1... Rigid, Free and «Partly Free» Evidence........................................................ 386

2... Direct and Indirect Evidence.......................................................................... 389

3... «Preservative» Evidence.................................................................................. 390

III.... Free Evaluation of Evidence................................................................................ 390

IV.... Degree of Persuation.............................................................................................. 391

§2.. The Means of Proof in Particular................................................................................... 393

I....... General Aspects....................................................................................................... 393

1... Enumeration in Article 339............................................................................ 393

2... Illegally Obtained Evidence............................................................................ 394

II...... Confession............................................................................................................... 395

1... Definition and Distinctions............................................................................. 395

2... Prerequisites....................................................................................................... 396

3... Probative Effect of a Confession.................................................................. 397

4... Revocation of Confessions............................................................................ 398

III.... Tangible or Direct Evidence.................................................................................. 399

1... Definition........................................................................................................... 399

2... Obligation to Cooperate.................................................................................. 399

3... Probative Effect of Tangible Evidence........................................................ 401

IV.... Expert Reports......................................................................................................... 401

1... Definition and Distinctions............................................................................. 401

2... Appointment of Experts - Extent of the Discretionary Power of the Judge     402

3... Probative Weight of Expert Reports............................................................. 403

4... Technical Consultants..................................................................................... 404

5... Extrajudicial Private Opinions....................................................................... 404

V...... Testimony................................................................................................................ 405

1... Definition........................................................................................................... 405

2... Statutory Restrictions of Testimony............................................................. 406

3... Competence to Give Evidence....................................................................... 409

4... Obligation to Give Evidence........................................................................... 410

5... Probative Weight of Testimony..................................................................... 410

VI.... Examination of the Parties................................................................................... 411

1... General Aspects................................................................................................ 411

2... The Subsidiary Character of the Examination of the Parties - The Amendment of 1984                            412

3... Distinction from Other Interrogatories of the Parties and from Testimony     413

4... Confession of the Parties During an Examination..................................... 414

5... Probative Weight of the Examination of the Parties................................. 414

VII... Party Oath................................................................................................................ 414

1... General Remarks.............................................................................................. 414

2... Party Oath Taken Upon the Challenge of the Adversary......................... 415

a.. Requirements............................................................................................... 415

b.. Form of the Party Oath.............................................................................. 415

c.. Subsidiarity of Party Oath......................................................................... 415

d.. Possibilities Related to the Challenge....................................................... 416

e.. Probative Effects of the Party Oath......................................................... 416

3... Judicial Oaths.................................................................................................... 416

VIII. Documentary Evidence......................................................................................... 416

1... Definitions and Distinctions............................................................................ 416

2... Authenticity of Documents............................................................................ 418

a.. Presumption of Authenticity of Public Acts........................................... 418

b.. Authenticity of Private Writings................................................................ 419

3... Persons Against Whom a Document can Produce Evidence................... 419

4... Certainty of Date - Authentication of Private Writings............................. 419

5... Probative Effect of Documentary Evidence............................................... 420

a.. Public Documents........................................................................................ 420

b.. Private Writings............................................................................................ 421

c.. Foreign Public Acts...................................................................................... 423

6... Mechanical Reproductions............................................................................. 423

7... Bookkeeping Records of Enterprises or of Other Professionals............... 425

IX.... Presumptions as Self-Standing Means of Evidence......................................... 426

1... The Historical Background............................................................................. 426

2... The Dual Meaning of the Term Presumption.............................................. 427

3... Admissibility of Presumptions........................................................................ 427

4... Probative Effect................................................................................................ 429

X...... Sworn Attestations.................................................................................................. 429

Chapter 3. Administration of Evidence............................................................................. 431

§1.. General Aspects................................................................................................................. 431

I....... The Current Distinction Between Two Types of Evidentiary Proceedings              431

II...... The Historical Background................................................................................... 431

1... The Code of Civil Procedure of 1835........................................................... 431

2... The Code of Civil Procedure of 1967........................................................... 432

3... The Revision of 1971...................................................................................... 433

4... The Revision of 1984...................................................................................... 434

5... The Revision of 1993...................................................................................... 434

6... The Revision of 1994 concerning the Evidentiary Proceedings before the Three-member District Courts............................................................................................................................. 434

7... The Revision of 2001...................................................................................... 435

§2.. Evidenciary Proceedings after the 2015 Amendment............................................... 438

§3.. Forced production of documents................................................................................... 439

PART VI. PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS

Chapter 1. General Aspects.................................................................................................. 443

Chapter 2. The Main Characteristics of Each Particular Proceeding...................... 447

I....... The Proceeding for Family Disputes.................................................................... 447

II...... The Proceeding for Orders of Payment............................................................... 449

III.... The Proceeding for Certain Categories of Monay Claims.............................. 449

IV.... Special Rules for Certain Types of Disputes - Small Claims.......................... 451

PART VII. PRELIMINARY SEIZURE AND ENFORCEMENT

OF JUDGEMENTS

Chapter 1. Preliminary Seizure and Other Conservatory Measures........................ 455

§1.. Definitions, Proceedings, Effects.................................................................................... 455

I....... General Remarks.................................................................................................... 455

II...... Judicial Security...................................................................................................... 455

1... Definition........................................................................................................... 455

2... Proceeding.......................................................................................................... 456

3... Effects................................................................................................................ 457

III.... Prenotice of Mortgage............................................................................................ 457

1... Definition and Requirements......................................................................... 457

2... Proceeding.......................................................................................................... 459

3... Effects................................................................................................................ 460

IV.... Conservatory Attachment.................................................................................... 461

1... Definition and Requirements......................................................................... 461

2... Proceeding.......................................................................................................... 462

3... Effects................................................................................................................ 463

V...... Custody.................................................................................................................... 463

1... Definition and Proceeding............................................................................... 463

2... Effects................................................................................................................ 464

VI.... Sealing, Unsealing, Inventory and Public Deposit of Property....................... 464

§2.. Judicial Review.................................................................................................................. 465

Chapter 2. Enforcement of Judgements............................................................................ 467

§1.. Enforcement of Domestic Judgements......................................................................... 467

I....... Introductory Remarks........................................................................................... 467

1... Methods of Enforcement in the Greek Law of Execution........................ 467

2... Specific Performance....................................................................................... 468

3... Means of Enforcement of Money Claims: Attachment, Compulsive Administration of Property, Imprisonment............................................................................................................................. 469

4... “Oath of Manifestation”................................................................................. 471

II...... General Features of the Enforcement Proceedings........................................... 471

1... The Principle of the Party’s Initiative and its Limitations......................... 471

a.. The Meaning of this Principle.................................................................... 471

b.. The Limitations - Lapse of Attachment.................................................. 472

2... Collective Character of Enforcement........................................................... 473

a.. Announcement of Creditors...................................................................... 473

b.. Substitution of the Petitioning Creditor................................................... 474

c.. Satisfaction of Creditors............................................................................ 475

3... Main Organs of Execution.............................................................................. 475

4... Attachability and its Limitations................................................................... 476

III.... The Executory Title as a General Prerequisite of Execution........................... 477

1... General Remarks.............................................................................................. 477

2... Judicial Decisions.............................................................................................. 478

a.. Kind of Decision......................................................................................... 478

b.. «Final» Judgements Which are a Formal Res Judicata........................ 480

3... Provisionally Enforceable Judgements......................................................... 480

a.. General Remarks......................................................................................... 480

b.. Requirements............................................................................................... 481

c.. Specific Prerequisites................................................................................... 482

d.. Kinds of Provisional Execution................................................................. 482

e.. Exclusion of Provisional Execution......................................................... 483

f.. Suspension of Provisional Execution....................................................... 484

4... Arbitral Awards................................................................................................. 484

5... Orders of Payment........................................................................................... 485

6... Foreign Judgements.......................................................................................... 486

7... Foreign Arbitral Awards................................................................................... 487

8... Provisional Remedies....................................................................................... 487

9... Notarial Documents......................................................................................... 487

10. Awards Issued by Administrative Authorities for the Collection of Public Revenues                    488

11. Orders for the Return to the Lessor of a Leased Immovable................... 488

IV.... The Executory Formula......................................................................................... 489

V...... Other Prerequisites to Execution.......................................................................... 489

1... Prerequisites Involving the Enforced Claim................................................ 489

2... Prerequisites Involving Persons Entitled to or Subject to Enforcement            490

3... Service of the Copy of the Instrument to be Enforced............................. 490

VI.... Initiation of Main Enforcement Proceedings.................................................... 491

VII... Proceedings in Specific Enforcement................................................................. 491

1... Obligations to Deliver a Particular Movable Thing.................................... 491

2... Obligations to Deliver Fungible Goods Described Only by Class, as Well as No-Name Bonds                    492

3... Obligations to Deliver Specific Immovable Property................................. 492

4... Enforcement of Executory Titles Ordering the Performance of a Specific Act                               493

a.. Obligations to Perform a Specific Fungible Act..................................... 493

b.. Obligations to Perform a Specific Infungible Act.................................. 494

5... Obligations not to Perform or not to Oppose a Specific Act..................... 495

6... Execution of Judgements Ordering the Declaration of Will...................... 496

VII... Proceedings in Enforcement for Money Claims............................................... 496

1... General Remarks.............................................................................................. 496

2... The Various Types of Attachment................................................................ 497

3... Attachment of Movables in the Possession of the Debtor........................ 497

a.. Property Subject to Attachment............................................................... 497

b.. Property Exempt From Attachment........................................................ 498

c.. The Procedure.............................................................................................. 499

d.. Effects..................................................................................................... ..... 500

4... Garnishee Proceedings..................................................................................... 501

a.. Property Subject to and Exempt from Garnishee Proceedings........... 501

b.. Procedure...................................................................................................... 502

c.. Legal Effects................................................................................................ 503

d.. The Affirmative or Negative Declaration of the Third Party Regarding his Relation to the Attached Claim........................................................................................................................ 503

e.. The Final Phase of Garnishment.............................................................. 504

5... Attachment of Immovable Property............................................................ 505

a.. Property Subject to Attachment............................................................... 505

b.. The Procedure.............................................................................................. 505

c.. Legal Effects................................................................................................ 506

6... Attachment of Special Assets........................................................................ 507

7... The Public Sale.................................................................................................. 507

a.. The Basic Preparatory Step....................................................................... 507

b.. The Main Procedure.................................................................................... 508

c.. Suspension of the Electronic Auction Involving Immovables............ 509

d.. The Termination of the Electronic Auction............................................ 510

8... Distribution of Sale Proceeds.......................................................................... 511

a.. The Principle of Proportional Distribution............................................... 511

b.. Distribution where the Sale Proceeds Suffice to Satisfy all Creditors           511

c.. Distribution where the Sale Proceeds do not Suffice to Satisfy all Creditors - General and Special Priorities........................................................................................................................ 512

IX.... Judicial Review........................................................................................................ 514

1... The Court Is Not an Organ of Execution..................................................... 514

2... Opposition to Enforcement............................................................................ 515

a.. General Remarks......................................................................................... 515

b.. Other Types of Opposition......................................................................... 517

c.. Subject Matter Competence.................................................................... 517

d.. Territorial Competence............................................................................... 518

e.. Grounds of Opposition............................................................................... 519

f.. Time Limitations......................................................................................... 519

g.. Rules of Procedure...................................................................................... 520

3... Third Party Opposition.................................................................................... 522

a.. Particular Features....................................................................................... 522

b.. Grounds of a Third Party Opposition....................................................... 523

c.. Subject Matter and Territorial Competence........................................... 524

d.. The Compulsory Parties............................................................................. 524

e.. Time Limitations......................................................................................... 525

4... Suspension of Enforcement........................................................................... 525

a.. Conditions..................................................................................................... 525

b.. Procedure - Provisional Order.................................................................... 526

c.. Effects........................................................................................................... 526

§2.. Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements.............................................. 527

I....... Rules Applicable in the Absence of a Treaty..................................................... 527

1... General Remarks.............................................................................................. 527

a.. The Doctrinal Foundation of the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements                        527

b.. Distinction Between Recognition and Enforcement............................. 528

c.. Characterization of the Foreign Judgement........................................... 529

2... The Historical Background - Distinction Between Greek Nationals and Aliens                              529

3... The Basic Provisions of the Present Code of Civil Procedure.................. 530

4... The Prerequisites to Recognition.................................................................... 530

a.. The Res Judicata Effect of the Foreign Judgement.............................. 530

b.. The International Jurisdiction of the Foreign Court.............................. 531

c.. Protection of the Right of Defence........................................................... 532

d.. Inconsistent Decisions................................................................................ 532

e.. Violation of Public Policy........................................................................... 533

f.. No Re-examination of the Merits............................................................. 535

g.. No Reciprocity............................................................................................. 535

h.. No Examination of the Applicable Law................................................. 535

5... Enforcement of a Foreign Judgement.......................................................... 536

a.. Need of a Domestic Exequatur................................................................. 536

b.. Prerequisites.................................................................................................. 536

c.. The Enforceability of the Foreign Judgement in Particular................. 537

d.. The Exequatur Proceeding......................................................................... 538

6... Enforcement of Other Executory Instruments........................................... 539

7... The Specific Proceeding for the Recognition of Decisions Involving Personal Status                   540

8... Recognition of the Effects of Foreign Decisions of Voluntary Jurisdiction      541

II...... International Treaties............................................................................................. 542

1... Multilateral Conventions................................................................................ 542

a.. The European Community Convention and the Subsequent European Regulations                              542

b.. Other Multilateral Conventions................................................................ 543

2... Bilateral Conventions...................................................................................... 544

3... Relationship Between the Code of Civil Procedure and the International Conventions                               545

PART VIII. ARBITRATION

Chapter 1. Domestic Arbitration......................................................................................... 549

§1.. General Aspects................................................................................................................. 549

I....... Historical Background........................................................................................... 549

II...... Current Relevance.................................................................................................. 549

III.... Types of Arbitration - Constitutionality............................................................. 551

IV.... Institutional Arbitration......................................................................................... 553

§2.. The Rules of the Code of Civil Procedure.................................................................... 555

I....... Arbitrable Disputes................................................................................................. 555

II...... The Arbitration Agreement................................................................................... 555

III.... The Arbitrators........................................................................................................ 556

IV.... Procedure Before Arbitrators - Scope of the Arbitrators’ Authority.............. 558

V...... The Award................................................................................................................ 560

VI.... Setting Aside of the Award.................................................................................... 561

Chapter 2. Foreign Arbitral Awards.................................................................................. 563

I....... Characterization of an Award as Foreign.......................................................... 563

II...... Recognition of Foreign Arbitral Awards Under the Code of Civil Procedure         565

III.... Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards........................................................... 566

IV.... International Treaties............................................................................................. 566

1... Multilateral Conventions................................................................................ 566

2... Bilateral Conventions...................................................................................... 567

3... Relationship to Domestic Law....................................................................... 568

PART IX. MEDIATION

Chapter 1. Legislation/Definitions..................................................................................... 571

Chapter 2. Rights that can be Subject to Mediation - Mediation Agreement -  Mediation Procedure - Settlement Agreement.............................................................................................................................................. 572

Chapter 3. Judicial Mediation............................................................................................. 573

Chapter 4. Practical Relevance of Mediation.................................................................. 574

Index              575