Justice in Argolida

Nafplio is the home of the Nafplio Court of Appeals. All appeals concerning important civil and criminal cases within the prefectures of Arcadia, Argolis, Korinthia and the larger part of Laconia are ruled here. Nafplio also has all lower courts such as a Peace Court, a Court of First Instances, a Magistrates’ Court and a Misdemeanors Court. Lastly, it has an Administrative Court of First Instances.

The nearby city of Argos has a Peace Court as well as a (transitional) One-Member Misdemeanor Court and a (transitional) Administrative Court of First Instances. Likewise, there is a (transitional) One-Member Misdemeanor Court in the cities of Kranidi, Lygourio and Astros.

Civil Courts provide immediate legal protection in the form of interim injunctions that aim to protect vital interests on a temporary and urgent basis. Courts may also issue a final judgement deciding on a permanent basis. This is a procedure that in Nafplio will usually take an average of two years. Court decisions may then be appealed and in this case an additional time frame of one to two years would be needed before a final verdict has been ruled. Finally, the Athens Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) is the Greek Court of cassation and is responsible for reviewing questions of law without usually having the authority to reverse findings of fact.

Alternative Dispute Mechanisms (e.g. Mediation) have recently been implemented in the Greek Legal System and although they are still at a fetal stage their use is gradually growing.

Contracts and Private Agreements can minimize legal uncertainty. When forming a business relationship, it is strongly recommended that a contract – or at least a private agreement – is signed.