When is a Greek lawyer necessary?
Under the Greek Code of Lawyers (Κώδικας Δικηγόρων, Law 4194/2013), a Greek attorney is generally required for any binding legal advice and for representation before the courts. Parties may appear without an attorney only in exceptional cases – this requirement of legal representation does not apply:
- before magistrates’ courts (Ειρηνοδικείο), where the amount in dispute does not exceed €20,000 (Art. 14 of the Greek Code of Civil Procedure),
- before criminal courts (for representation before the Areopagus and before assize courts, however, a Greek attorney remains required),
- in urgent cases to avert harm, for example when lodging an appeal,
- in interim injunction proceedings.
Other typical areas of activity for a Greek attorney include legal support in tax, customs, and administrative matters, the registration of patents and trademarks, the preparation of legal opinions, the translation and certification of documents, and inheritance law. Legal representation was required for the purchase of real estate in Greece until 2014; this requirement has since been abolished, though engaging an attorney remains advisable.
Admission and Professional Title: Rechtsanwalt and Dikigoros
Our firm employs both attorneys admitted in Germany (admitted under the Federal Lawyers’ Act or the European Lawyers’ Act) and Dikigoroi – attorneys trained and admitted in Greece. Cross-border practice of the legal profession is possible after several years of practice in the respective country.
In civil matters, a Greek attorney may in principle only appear before courts within the jurisdiction of his or her local bar association; only in Athens and Piraeus is independent practice possible at both locations, elsewhere a locally admitted correspondence attorney must be engaged. In criminal matters, by contrast, a Greek attorney may appear before all criminal courts in the country.
Duties of Greek Attorneys
Greek attorneys are obliged to practice their profession conscientiously, to work toward a compromise workable for all parties wherever possible, and not to take on cases that are manifestly unjust or unlawful. Activities that jeopardize their independence – such as acting as a broker, managing director, or representative of a commercial company or credit institution – are prohibited; acting as an in-house counsel (Syndikusanwalt) with fixed remuneration from a legal entity remains permissible.
Cost of a Greek Attorney
The minimum fees for Greek attorneys are set out in the fee schedule for attorneys and must be paid into the treasury of the competent bar association before proceedings begin; beyond that, the fee is freely negotiable between attorney and client, including contingency-based remuneration and agreements on the assignment of up to 20% of the amount recovered. We recommend clarifying the question of costs before engaging counsel and concluding a binding fee agreement.
FAQ
A Greek attorney is a reliable point of contact for private individuals and companies alike when they need support with legal matters in Greece. What matters for your choice of a Greek attorney is the specialist's relevant experience. Ideally, the attorney should hold dual admission in Greece and in the client's home jurisdiction. KPAG Kosmidis & Partner offers you the support of attorneys who, in many cases, hold dual admission in Germany and Greece, and who bring broader international, cross-border experience besides.
A Greek attorney is needed whenever companies or private individuals from another country wish to resolve legal matters in Greece (whether binding legal advice or participation in court proceedings). From inheritance matters to corporate law: our firm supports you across numerous fields. Purchasing real estate in particular becomes straightforward with us, because we have extensive experience handling cross-border legal matters, especially in real estate purchases, know the legal situation in Greece precisely, and advise our international clients in German, English, and other languages as needed.
The law firm KPAG Kosmidis & Partner offers you support across numerous areas of law. Among others, we are your point of contact for:
- Real estate law
- Inheritance law
- Commercial and corporate law
- Special focus: advising international companies in Greece
- Tax law
- Administrative law
and many other areas of law.
We advise private individuals and companies on numerous matters and have a broad network of notaries, brokers, and other experts with whom we work together for you in Greece. Another focus lies in litigation and debt collection.
When engaging an attorney in Greece, you should pay attention to the corresponding qualifications and experience. It is important for you that the firm can advise you in your own language and is thoroughly familiar with both Greek law and the law of your home country (for many of our clients, German law). An attorney for cross-border legal matters should demonstrate corresponding experience. KPAG Kosmidis & Partner is convincing in both respects. Feel free to take a look at our references and form your own impression of our work.
Officially set minimum fees apply to Greek attorneys. These are laid down in the fee schedule for attorneys. In general, however, the fee is freely negotiable. What matters for you as a client is to conclude a binding fee agreement in advance that makes all costs transparent to you. KPAG Kosmidis & Partner is happy to inform you personally about the cost of a Greek attorney and to advise you on your specific case.