About the network

Network structure

Number of contact points: Twenty-two contact points have been designated. Nineteen of these are judges who are part of the national network while exercising their judicial duties in parallel. Three are officials in the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, and more specifically the Department of International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Criminal Matters, which operates as the central authority for purposes of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgements in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility (Brussels IIa) (complementing the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction), Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 (maintenance obligations) and Directive 2002/8/EC (legal aid), and also as the central body for purposes of Council Regulations (EC) No 1206/2001 (taking of evidence) and (EC) No 1393/2007 (service of judicial and extrajudicial documents).

National network: An informal national network with a centralised structure has been established, the main components in which are the central authority, judges from Athens, and three representatives of the legal professions (associations of lawyers, bailiffs and notaries). The Department of International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Criminal Matters is responsible for monitoring the work of the European Judicial Network and coordinating the work of the contact points at a national level with regard to Greece’s obligations within the scope of the EJN and the content posted on the EU e-Justice Portal. The network’s national contact points contribute to the completion of factsheets, the updating of Greece’s formal notifications on EU legislation regarding judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, the completion of questionnaires originating from the EJN or other EU bodies, and the process of answering questions from other contact points or EU authorities relating mainly to the implementation of the EU legislation in Greece.

Regular meetings are held which are coordinated by the Department of International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Criminal Matters, usually two to four times annually. The purpose of the meetings is the exchange of views, experience and information. The agenda focuses mostly on subjects discussed at EJN meetings at European level, issues that may arise from the implementation of EU legislation (regulations and directives) at a national level, and Greece’s obligations within the scope of the EJN and the e-Justice Portal, as mentioned above.

Dissemination of information to the public

The website of the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights makes special reference to the EJN. Work is under way with a view to updating the website in order to provide a full and clear description of the EJN’s role and utility in connection with EU legislation on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

At a national level, information regarding EU legislation on civil and commercial matters is disseminated by distributing EJN printed material and by organising seminars and one-day events, in Athens and other cities in Greece, concerning European legislative developments in the field of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the impact thereof at domestic level (members of the national network sometimes take part as keynote speakers). These events take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and also of bar associations throughout the country, the National School of Judges, the State Legal Council, civil law and commercial law associations, etc.

In addition, the European Justice Day one-day event aims to serve as a ‘wake-up’ call for European legal professionals and launch a dialogue on the progress of EU legislative initiatives; it has been held almost annually in recent years, under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights.