As is well established, an infringement of personality rights arises in cases of simple defamation, slander (defamation with false statements), and insult. In order to satisfy the objective elements of the offence of slanderous defamation, it is required that the perpetrator asserts or disseminates, by any means, before a third party, a fact concerning another person which is capable of harming their honour or reputation.
According to decision no. 5/2021 of the Piraeus Court of Appeal, a “third party” is any natural person or authority, including a bailiff, judges, judicial officers, court clerks, and public prosecutors, who become aware of the defamatory allegation or its dissemination. It is further held that their role as institutional bodies of the judiciary, who are obliged to receive and examine pleadings that may contain defamatory statements, does not negate their status as third parties.