The plenary session of the presidents of the bar associations of Greeceduring today’s meeting, proposes to the 63 local bar associations of the country, the extension of the nationwide abstention of lawyers until February 12, 2024 and a protest rally outside the finance ministry on 7 February.

In more detail, the plenary in its announcement states:

“As the Plenary has pointed out and with its decision of 19-1-2024, the maintenance of the existing judicial formations, the abolition of the presumptive taxable income for lawyers, the expansion of the legal matter, the satisfaction of the financial requests of the sector, the immediate payment of legal aid compensation, the radical reform of the draft law on the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, in accordance with the proposals of the Plenary, the protection of the first residence of vulnerable borrowers, the implementation of a code of conduct by debt collection companies and the removal of abusive behaviors, remain at the forefront of the bar’s priorities and claims.

Unfortunately, until today, there has been no development even in matters where the Minister of Justice has repeatedly committed himself and in fact before the Plenary.

The government’s backsliding both with the delays seen in taking the relevant legislative initiatives and with the non-clarification of the relevant issues creates a reasonably justified reflection and concern about the final government choices and the development of things and constitutes contempt for the legal profession.

Following these, the Plenary decides:

A. To propose to the Boards of Directors of the Bar Associations of the Country, the continuation of the mobilizations and specifically the abstention of their members, as a minimum, from:

  • All criminal trials, except for those stemming from interruption and in which the examination of the first witness has already begun.
  • Litigation involving the interests of the Greek State, NPDD, public sector NPID, except OTAs.
  • Legal Aid cases.
  • The issuance of Payment Orders and enforcement actions, Banks and Claims Management Companies (funds).

The framework in force today is proposed as an abstention framework.

The duration of the abstinence is proposed until Monday 12.2.2024.

The Plenary will be convened again on Wednesday 7.2.2024.

B. To hold a protest rally of the Presidents of the Bar Associations of Greece at the Ministry of Finance the following week on a day to be decided by the Plenary, during its meeting on 7.2.2024, for the financial requests of the sector, namely:

  • The abolition of presumptive taxable income
  • The reinstatement of mandatory representation in contracts
  • The increase in the exemption limit from the VAT regime for incomes up to 25,000 euros
  • The reduction of judicial VAT
  • The complete abolition of the pretense fee
  • The revaluation of the reference amount of pre-collection letters
  • The increase in the fees of the State’s salaried lawyers

On the day of the above protest gathering, the Plenary proposes to the Bar Associations of the Country the universal abstention of their members from their duties”.