English Legal Services in Greece — ZIAMPARAS & ASSOCIATES
Welcome to the English section of ZIAMPARAS & ASSOCIATES Law Professional Corporation, an Athens-based law firm serving Greek nationals abroad, expatriate residents in Greece, and foreign citizens with legal matters under Greek jurisdiction.
About the Firm
Founded by Dimitris Ziamparas, attorney at the Athens Bar Association since 2008, the firm brings together four lawyers covering the full spectrum of Greek civil, criminal, and administrative law. We are headquartered in Athens and represent clients before all Greek courts of first instance, appeal, the Areios Pagos (Supreme Court of Cassation), the Council of State, and where appropriate the European Court of Human Rights.
Dimitris Ziamparas holds a Master of Laws in the Philosophy of Law from the Athens Law School (2008) in addition to his Law Degree (2006). Before turning to law, he spent fifteen years in the technology industry — including positions at Oracle Corporation EMEA and Oracle Hellas SA — and holds a Master of Business Administration from Aston University (United Kingdom, 1995) and a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1991). This dual background informs the firm’s particular strength in cybercrime, digital evidence, and technology-related disputes.
Practice Areas — English Resources
We have prepared the following English-language guides for international clients:
- Code of Conduct for Lawyers in Greece — How the Greek Bar regulates legal practice and what to expect from your Greek lawyer.
- Commercial Contracts Lawyer — Drafting, reviewing, and litigating commercial contracts under Greek and EU law: agency, distribution, franchising, M&A.
- Military Criminal Defence — Defence before the Greek Military Courts under the Military Penal Code.
- Juvenile Criminal Defence — Representation of minors aged 12 to 18 in criminal proceedings, with focus on rehabilitation.
- Power of Attorney from Abroad — Two methods for executing a Greek power of attorney while overseas: consular execution and foreign-notary execution with Apostille.
- Revenge Porn — Legal Remedies — Immediate removal of non-consensual intimate imagery and prosecution of the perpetrators.
Our broader practice in Greek-language documentation covers civil law, administrative law, real estate, family and inheritance law, and labor law. We are happy to handle these matters for English-speaking clients on request, providing English-language correspondence and certified translation of all documents we draft or receive on your behalf.
Why Work With Us
- Athens Bar Association membership since 2008.
- Direct lawyer-client communication; no intermediaries.
- Technical fluency in cybercrime and digital evidence matters — a competitive advantage in modern litigation.
- Established network of certified Greek translators and notaries for cross-border documentation.
- Experience with consular powers of attorney, Apostille procedures, and Hague Convention service of process.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +30 6975 127 045
Office: Athens, Greece
For an initial consultation, please email a brief outline of your matter along with any deadlines or court dates. We respond within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Greek lawyer represent me if I live abroad?
Yes. Greek lawyers regularly represent clients living outside Greece. The Code of Civil Procedure allows you to be represented by your lawyer through a properly executed power of attorney, without needing to attend most hearings in person. We routinely handle inheritance, real estate, and civil matters for Greek diaspora and foreign clients on this basis.
How do I grant a power of attorney to a Greek lawyer from abroad?
You have two principal options: (a) attend your nearest Greek Consulate to execute the power before consular officials, or (b) execute the document before a foreign notary, drafted in Greek, and have it Apostilled under the 1961 Hague Convention. Both routes are accepted by Greek authorities and registries. Our guide on Power of Attorney from Abroad details each procedure and the documents required.
Do I need to travel to Greece in person for my case?
In most civil and administrative matters, personal attendance is not required. Your lawyer can file the action, appear at hearings, and receive the judgment on your behalf under a valid power of attorney. Personal attendance may be necessary in certain criminal proceedings, specific family law matters such as adoption or surrogacy authorizations, and any case where the court orders the personal examination of a party.
In which languages do you communicate?
We communicate fluently in Greek and English. Written pleadings before Greek courts must be filed in Greek, but we supply certified English translations of all documents we draft or receive on your behalf. For other languages we work with certified court translators on a case-by-case basis.
How are your fees calculated?
Our fee structure depends on the type of matter. We offer fixed fees for many discrete services — drafting contracts, powers of attorney, simple administrative applications — and hourly or stage-based fees for litigation. The Athens Bar Association publishes minimum legal fees for many procedures. After reviewing your case we provide a written fee estimate before any engagement, so you can decide with full information.
What is the typical timeline for Greek civil litigation?
Civil proceedings before Greek courts typically take 18 to 36 months from filing to a first-instance judgment, depending on the court and the type of matter. Emergency relief through interim injunctions (ασφαλιστικά μέτρα) can be obtained within days or weeks where the case meets the urgency threshold. Appeals add a further 12 to 24 months. Specific procedural deadlines apply once a case is filed; your lawyer will brief you on these at engagement.