5.2 Justice
As a prior action the authorities will propose and subsequently implement a three years strategic plan for the improvement of the functioning of the judicial system. The plan should encompass key actions aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency, speeding up judicial proceedings and addressing shortcomings in the functioning of courts such as, but not limited to, collecting information on the situation of the courts, computerization, developing alternative means for dispute resolution, such as mediation, rationalizing the cost of litigation and improving in court functioning and court management.
Furthermore, the authorities have adopted on 22 July 2015 the revised Code of Civil Procedure, which became effective as of 1 January 2016. The authorities will implement the revised Code of Civil Procedure, taking all necessary steps to ensure the full transition to the new system, in accordance with the requirements set out in the transitional provisions of Article 1 (Ninth Article) of Law 4335/2015 and the roadmap for the implementation of the revised Code of Civil Procedure. In particular, the Greek authorities as a key deliverable shall adopt the key Presidential Decrees required by the transitional provisions of Article 1 (Ninth Article) of Law 4335/2015 to provide for the implementation the following provisions of the revised Code of Civil Procedure:
i. Article 237(4)(e) and (f) and (6)(b) and (c), regarding the registration of cases in the e-docket by [June 2016];
ii. Articles 954(4)(c), 955 (2)(b), 965(5)(i), 973(1)(c) and (3)(d) and 995(4)(b) on the electronic publication and advertising of auctions on a dedicated website by May 2016;
iii. Article 993(2)(c) on the determination of the value of the property seized on the basis of its market value. The Presidential Decree will notably set out the method for the determination of the market value of the seized property, the entity responsible for determining the value and any other relevant details, by [June 2016];
iv. Article 995(1(d) providing that the first offer price for the auction will be the market value of the seized property as determined at the time of the seizure, by [June 2016]; and
v. A Presidential Decree to provide for implementation of the provisions of Article 1 of Law 4335/2015 regarding all provisions of the Code of civil procedure which refer to conducting auctions electronically, [by May 2016]
The authorities, making use of technical assistance, will:
i. Integrate in the growth strategy the three years strategic plan for the improvement of the functioning of the judicial system, since timely, efficient and reliable justice is a key driver for growth.
ii. Implement the three years strategic plan for the improvement of the functioning of the judicial system according to its schedule.
iii. Rationalise and introduce a selective readjustment of court fees (by introducing increases or decreases, as appropriate), as well as increase transparency and ease of online reference through a user-friendly web platform in this regard (September 2016). The authorities will propose measures to ensure access to justice by vulnerable persons (September 2016).
iv. Propose measures to reduce the backlog of cases in administrative courts (June 2016) and in civil courts (September 2016).
v. Agree on an action plan with the Institutions including technical assistance, to improve e-justice, mediation and judicial statistics and disseminate the relevant information to the legal practitioners and the public at large, so as to increase awareness of the availability of these mechanisms and encourage their use (October 2016).
The authorities have adopted on 22 July 2015 the new Code of Civil Procedure, which will become effective as of 1 January 2016. The authorities will implement the revised Code of Civil Procedure, in accordance with the requirements set out in the transitional provisions of Article 1 (Ninth Article) of Law 4335/2015 and the roadmap for the implementation of the revised Code of Civil Procedure to be finalized by September 2015.
The authorities will rationalise and introduce a selective increase of court fees, as well as increase transparency in this regard (October 2015). The authorities will propose measures to ensure access to justice by vulnerable persons (December 2015).
The authorities will propose measures to reduce the backlog of cases in administrative courts by September 2015 and in civil courts by October 2015; they will agree on an action plan with European institutions including technical assistance on e-justice, mediation and judicial statistics (October 2015).
The authorities will propose by November 2015 and subsequently implement a three years strategic plan for the improvement of the functioning of the justice system. The plan should encompass key actions aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency, speeding up judicial proceedings and addressing shortcomings in the functioning of courts such as, but not limited to, collecting information on the situation of the courts, computerization, developing alternative means for dispute resolution, such as mediation, rationalizing the cost of litigation and improving in court functioning and court management.