By virtue of a new Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD), the suspension of the operation of the courts of our country is extended until 10 April 2020, within the framework of measures for the protection against coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to the new JMD issued by Ministers Tsiaras, Kikilias and Panagiotopoulos, the suspension regime previously established by the JMD of 15.3.2020 (Government Gazette B’ 864) is extended to the Supreme Special Court and to the Special Courts provided for under Articles 88(2) and 99 of the Constitution.
With regard to the Council of State, the Court of Audit and the Administrative Courts, provision is now made for the possibility of conducting all deliberations remotely, through the use of official technological means.
For the Civil and Criminal Courts, deliberations and the handling of any matter relating to the operation of judicial services and public prosecutor’s offices may be carried out remotely. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the information of the parties, witnesses and legal representatives, any adjournment of the hearing and the scheduling of a new hearing date shall be communicated by the court clerk to the local Bar Association. In addition, the selection of jurors and the commencement of the sessions of the Mixed Jury Courts and Mixed Jury Courts of Appeal shall take place only if, during the session, cases are scheduled in which the maximum period of pre-trial detention is reached, as well as felony cases for which the statute of limitations expires within the period from the commencement of the suspension until 31 January 2021.