T
he call for reform is stronger than ever
before. The Hellenic Ministry of Justice,
Transparency and Human Rights has
developed and undertaken an extensive range of
actions and measures aimed at the modernisa-
tion and qualitative enhancement of the judicial
system in Greece. In a rather simplified outline,
our reforming efforts have been built on three sta-
ble policy pillars:
I. Legislative Reform
A first historic structural reform is currently under-
way through the
redrafting of basic codes
that
regulate the administration of Civil and Penal
Justice in Greece.
The
New Code of Civil Procedure
serves as the
“flagship” of the reform scheme, with a view of
remedying the present weaknesses of Civil
Justice. The new Code, which will be adopted by
March 2014, the latest, alters the basic “philoso-
phy” of Civil Courts, granting the Judge significant
powers and flexibility, well before a case is heard.
Useless deadlines and obsolete bureaucratic
requirements are removed, written proceedings
are strengthened and the enforcement procedure
is largely simplified.
In Penal Justice, the
new Criminal Code
will be
soon brought to public consultation, while a
new
Code of Criminal Procedure
is currently drafted,
bringing revolutionary ideas and modern institu-
tions to the Greek Judicial system (such as plea
bargaining procedures etc.). Both new Codes are
expected to be tabled in Parliament during the
first half of 2014.
Similar initiatives have been taken in the field of
Administrative Justice
, with the adoption of
modern methods for the acceleration of court pro-
ceedings (pilot judgment procedure, extrajudicial
appeals procedure etc.).
II. E-Justice
Since September 2011, the Ministry of Justice
has drawn up an integrated
Action Plan on E-
Justice in Greec
e, complying with the national
and European e-governance strategy.
E-Justice applications involve a mixture of short-
Trade with Greece
42
Reforming Justice
By Nicolas Kanellopoulos, Secretary General of the
Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights
It is widely recognised that justice in Greece
faces serious problems and weaknesses,
which cause a great extent of malfunction
and inefficiency. The recent financial and
moral crisis highlights the need for social
peace, legal certainty and rapid economic
recovery.
