Greece protection of vulnerable adults

Protective measures: Privative judicial assistance (στερητική δικαστική συμπαράσταση); Concurrent judicial assistance (επικουρική δικαστική συμπαράσταση

Legal framework: Greek Civil Code, artt. 1666-1668

Competent authority: Court of First Instance (Πρωτοδικείο)

Access requirements:

  • Judicial assistance is granted if an adult is partly or totally unable to manage their affairs due to health conditions.

Procedure:

  1. Initiation of Protection Measures:
    • A judicial assistant is appointed by the Court of First Instance.
    • The proceedings can be initiated by the adult themselves, their close family (spouse, parents, or children), the public prosecutor, or the court ex officio.
    • An interim judicial assistant may be assigned until a final decision is issued.
  2. Types of Judicial Assistance:
    • Privative judicial assistance: The adult loses legal capacity for certain or all juridical acts.
    • Concurrent judicial assistance: The adult retains legal capacity but needs prior consent for specific acts.
    • A combination of both may apply.
  3. Supervision and Limitations:
    • The judicial assistant is subject to oversight by the Supervisory Board.
    • Some transactions (e.g., property sales) require court authorisation.
  4. Termination and Appeals:
    • Court decisions on judicial assistance can be appealed.
    • The protective regime can be revised if the adult’s condition changes.
    • Transactions made by an adult under privative judicial assistance are automatically void, even if the act benefits them.
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