Despina
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 251 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek
- Law, Athens University of Law
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4.95(12 reviews)
If you have been reported for domestic violence in Greece, ενδοοικογενειακή βία (endooikogeneiaki via), you are the accused in a case governed by a special law, and the words used about it, domestic violence allegations, domestic violence charges, being arrested for domestic violence, all describe the same procedure. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Cases of Alleged Domestic Violence”. The law covers spouses and partners, former spouses and partners, cohabiting couples and other family members, and applies to men and women alike. A person who is at risk finds a separate page on restraining orders; this page speaks only to the person accused. It is information, not legal advice.
A resident taken from home by the police after a call from a partner or a neighbour; a person who learned of a complaint when a summons arrived; a parent whose separation has turned into mutual accusations; and a foreigner whose residence permit depends on the marriage now in dispute.
Reports of domestic violence are usually handled under the fast-track procedure, αυτόφωρο (aftoforo): the police arrest the person, open a preliminary investigation (προανάκριση) and bring the person before the prosecutor (εισαγγελέας) within a short, fixed time. The prosecutor can send the case to court at once, adjourn it, or pass it to the investigating judge. Instead of custody the judge normally imposes restrictive conditions, περιοριστικοί όροι: a ban on approaching (απαγόρευση προσέγγισης) or contacting the other person, leaving the family home, reporting to a police station. Separately, the other person can ask the civil court for interim measures (ασφαλιστικά μέτρα) about the home and the children.
Greek law offers a route that other countries do not: for misdemeanours of domestic violence, penal mediation (ποινική διαμεσολάβηση) allows the case to end if the accused undertakes not to repeat the conduct, attends a counselling programme and compensates the other person, and the undertaking is kept. It requires the other person's agreement and the prosecutor's decision, and a recent reform allows it to start already during the police investigation. The same reform tightened the law in other respects, so what applies in a given case is confirmed by a lawyer.
The lawyer attends the first questioning with an interpreter, advises whether to ask for an immediate hearing or an adjournment, argues for the lightest restrictive conditions, assesses whether mediation is available and wanted, gathers the evidence of what really happened, and represents the client at trial and in the parallel family proceedings. Accusations that involve an injury are also described under assault charges; the children's situation is handled under child custody disputes; after the case, a criminal record certificate may be needed. More on criminal law in Greece.
Domestic violence is prosecuted by the state, so a withdrawal does not end the case by itself; it does matter for the prosecutor's decisions and for mediation.
A ban on approaching the other person does not automatically cover the children, but contact is often arranged through the family court; a lawyer asks for the conditions to be worded clearly.
A breach can lead to detention and is itself an offence. If a condition is unworkable, the way to change it is an application to the judge, not ignoring it.
A conviction can; an accusation alone usually does not. Where the permit depends on the spouse, an immigration lawyer is involved early.
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Lawyer · Athens, Greece
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
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He is a highly professional and experienced lawyer based in Alicante. He explained my options and advised me on how to resolve my case. He did very well: the case was resolved and dismissed. I highly recommend him to anyone needing a lawyer in Alicante, Spain.
I found the professional extremely helpful and informative. The advice set my mind at ease, and I am completely satisfied with the help. I plan to get in touch again next year.
Thank you for everything. You came to my aid within two hours and have gone on supporting me through a very complicated case, always available whenever I have a question or need something.
The lawyer was very kind, professional and extremely knowledgeable. I only wish we had found him at the start, because I think the outcome would have been completely different.
A very helpful and empathetic lawyer and consultant, with excellent assistance. I will totally work with the lawyer again.
The lawyer answered my queries the moment I sent them. She knows the Greek legal system extremely well and was a great help; on my own I could never have reached a conclusion I am completely satisfied with. Her command of English was excellent, close to bilingual though not quite. At all times she was friendly, approachable and professional, and she explained clearly what I had to do. I came to trust her completely.
She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
I cannot thank the lawyer enough for her expertise and dedication in handling my case. She was thorough and persistent and kept up good communication, in perfect English, at all times. She made a very difficult and stressful situation much easier to manage from afar. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
She is knowledgeable, approachable and very professional, with perfect English. She went over and above to find what I needed.
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
The lawyer was welcoming and very knowledgeable in the area where I needed help, and went above and beyond with information and solutions to keep the process as smooth and simple as possible. Her English was flawless, everything was completed promptly, and I could not be happier with my experience.