Lawyers to act as judges in some civil cases
Starting in September, some civil cases will be taken out of judges’ hands and be decided by lawyers, as part of an attempt to relieve court congestion and decide cases faster.
Greece ranks 146th globally in the speed in which cases are decided by courts.
The cases will involve wills, mortgage collaterals and the incorporation of associations, except cultural ones. The reform is expected to relieve courts of some 43,000 cases, according to 2023 data.
More than 35,000 lawyers have volunteered as arbitrators to adjudicate such cases.
More bills are on the way to extend the shift from the courtroom to arbitration to other civil cases.
